Alpha Lipoic Acid supplement and product Information - Alpha Lipoic Acid benefits and side effects

Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful, natural antioxidant with unique benefits in the treatment and prevention of a broad range of diseases. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid supplements help the body use glucose, hence it's potential role in improving blood sugar control and of benefit to those with diabetes. Alpha lipoic acid reduces complications from a high sugar diet. Alpha lipoic acid is readily absorbed from the diet or as a supplement. Alpha lipoic acid has a variety of benefits, particularly for those with diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. Many people use the terms alpha lipoic acid, alpha lipoic, and lipoic acid interchangeably.
   Even though alpha lipoic acid supplements have many health benefits, many people take too high dosages of this supplement with the mistaken belief that higher dosages provide even more benefits. One should keep in mind that alpha lipoic side effects are likely when high dosages are taken. The most serious alpha lipoic side effect is heart rhythm problems.


Buy R Alpha Lipoic Acid supplement product 50 mg capsule

Physician Formulas uses the highest quality R Alpha Lipoic Acid raw material. R-ALA is much more potent (2 times on average) than commonly sold synthetic alpha lipoic acid which contains both the R and S forms of lipoic acid. The S form is chemically the mirror image of the R form of alpha lipoic acid and is not useful to the body.

R Alpha Lipoic Acid supplement facts
R Alpha Lipoic Acid capsule - 50 mg *
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Suggested use: For long term use, 10 to 50 mg of R- alpha lipoic acid capsule a few times a week is quite adequate. For smaller amounts, you may open a capsule by pulling on each end and drop some of it in water or juice. a R alpha lipoic acid capsule is best taken in the morning with breakfast. If you plan to take higher amounts, please do so under medical supervision.

* Alpha lipoic acid supplement daily value not established. Be good to your body: Buy R alpha lipoic acid rather than synthetic alpha lipoic acid.

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Consider highly popular all natural products formulated by a world famous medical doctor, Ray Sahelian, M.D. These top quality products include Mind Power Rx for better mental focus, concentration, and mood; Diet Rx with alpha lpoic acid which helps you eat less. It really does curb appetite; Good Night Rx with 5-HTP and melatonin for better sleep; Eyesight Rx with alpha lipoic acid and Acetyl-L-Cysteine for better vision, often within days; MultiVit Rx a daily comprehensive multivitamin for more energy and vitality; Joint Power Rx for healthy joints; Prostate Power Rx for a healthy prostate gland; Passion Rx for sexual enhancement, better libido, and improved performance and stamina in men and women. These products are made by Advance Physician Formulas.

The two types of alpha lipoic acid supplements
If you're taking a conventional lipoic acid supplement, you're likely only getting half or less of the benefit of natural lipoic acid. The reason for this is that most alpha lipoic acid products on the market have both forms of lipoic acid: the synthetic S form, and the natural R form.
R alpha lipoic acid is much more potent (2 times on average) than commonly sold synthetic lipoic acid which contains both the R and S forms of lipoic acid. The S form is chemically the mirror image of the R form of lipoic acid and cannot be used by the body. Thus, 50 mg of R alpha lipoic acid is equivalent to 100 mg of synthetic alpha lipoic acid. When you buy R alpha lipoic acid supplements, you only need half the dosage of regular ALA supplements.
   Animal research has shown that R alpha lipoic acid acid can more efficiently than other forms of lipoic acid increase or maintain levels of other antioxidants including COQ 10, vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione.

Dosage of alpha lipoic acid supplement
The ideal dosage of an alpha lipoic acid supplement is not known. As a daily maintenance, a dosage of 10 to 50 mg a few times a week seems reasonable.
  
Until long-term studies with alpha lipoic acid supplements are published on humans, we do not recommend that you take a dosage higher than 10 to 50 mg a day unless you’re being treated for a particular condition under medical supervision. High dosages of alpha lipoic acid have side effects, including insomnia and heart rhythm problems. Since alpha lipoic acid helps restore antioxidants, you may need less vitamins C and E and other antioxidants when you take them the same day as alpha lipoic acid.
  
As we found out about vitamin E, high doses of antioxidant supplements may not lead to more benefits. In fact, there comes a point where a supplement, no matter how benign, can become unhealthy if the doses are too high. There are products out there that have 300 mg of alpha lipoic per capsule. We are not convinced they are healthy to take, except perhaps to treat an existing medical condition for a specific period of time. Alpha lipoic acid side effects could occur on high dosages, including heart rhythm problems. There is also the possibility that high dosages of antioxidant supplements could turn pro oxidant in very high dosages or they could disturb the delicate balance of the body's antioxidant system.

Q. I have type two diabetes and use no insulin or prescription drugs. I keep my morning glucose readings in the 80 to 120 range with diet and supplements. Some doctors recommend alpha lipoic acid supplements in high dosages but this website seems to be more cautious. Some sources recommend alpha lipoic acid 600mg for diabetics which greatly exceeds the recommendation of 50mg R-form three days a week. What is your advice for diabetics?
   A. There is a difference in the dosage of a supplement as to whether it is meant for long term preventive maintenance or for the treatment of a medical condition. Also, when research is done, they use high amounts of the tested nutrient or drug for short period of time just so they can elicit a statistically measurable effect. This does not mean that people should be taking these high amounts forever. We have no idea what would happen to people if they took 300 or 600 mg every day for years to come. If you have diabetes, first inform your doctor of your interest in using alpha lipoic acid, then start with half a capsule of 50 mg R-ALA. With time you can increase the dose gradually while monitoring your blood sugar. One side effect to look out for is insomnia. If you notice being too alert when you go to bed, it may be that you are taking too much alpha lipoic acid, or perhaps too many other supplements.

Q. There are many alpha lipoic acid products with 300 mg of the supplement. Are they safe?
   A. We do not recommend the use of alpha lipoic acid 300 mg dosage. Side below a list of ALA side effects that can occur on this high dosage.

Alpha lipoic acid side effects - alpha lipoic acid danger for heart rhythm
There are no indications that low doses of lipoic acid, such as 5 to 20 mg, have side effects. Higher doses could cause nausea or stomach upset, along with over-stimulation, fatigue, and insomnia. High doses could also potentially lower blood sugar. This is often beneficial to patients who have diabetes, but it requires close monitoring of blood sugar levels. We have had reports of dosages greater than 100 mg of alpha lipoic acid taken daily for several weeks led to atrial fibrillation and other types of heart rhythm problems. Another person emailed that a 50 mg dose of R alpha lipoic acid made him feel his heart racing, he took it at the same time as his thyroid medication Levothyroid. Those with thyroid problems may consider taking a third or half a capsule of a 50 mg R alpha lipoic acid dose.

Q. I found your alpha lipoic acid web page while surfing the internet and read that you recommend no more than 10 to 50mg a day of R alpha-lipoic acid. At the advice of a consultant at a vitamin store, I started taking 900 mg (300mg 3 times a day) of an alpha-lipoic acid supplement. Two weeks later, I had atrial fibrillation and flutter which required hospitalization to get my heart in normal sinus rhythm. I am post-menopausal, healthy, non-smoking, active, normal weight. I had open heart bypass surgery a few years ago for a blocked artery, but was discharged from cardiac follow-up. Apparently this has no bearing on the current incident. I believe the high doses of alpha-lipoic acid had everything to do with this atrial fibrillation and heart rhythm problem incident.

Q. Thank you SO much for the information about alpha lipoic acid supplements on your website. I started taking it preventively for eye, heart and brain health due to some related diseases in my family history. I've been taking 100 mg a day (as per the recommended dose on the bottle) for about a month and started having very odd palpitations in my heart. I thought it was due to stress, although something in my brain said that wasn't the cause. I listened to my inner voice and decided to stop taking the alpha lipoic acid supplement as a test to see if that might be the cause, since I traced the beginning of the heart issues back to about a week after starting the ALA. After just three days of being off the ALA, the heart palpitations stopped. That's when I found your website and the warnings. More people should be aware of the proper doses in which to take this supplement. It has great benefits, to be sure, but not if your heart stops working properly!!
   A. This is very interesting. We have had previous reports of higher dosages of alpha lipoic acid causing heart rhythm problems, but not 100 mg. Did the bottle say R lipoic or regular lipoic?
      Q. As far as I know, it was just plain alpha lipoic acid, 100 mg. That's what the front of the label said. I threw the bottle away, so I can't read the back panel for more details. I'm happy to report that the big "chugging" feelings I was sporadically having in my heart have ceased. Every now and then I have a mild flutter, but that's all and even that seems to be getting less each day. Is this something that usually takes a couple of weeks or more to rectify itself?
         A. Yes, the heart rhythm should return to normal within a week or two if no other causes exist to disturb it.

Q. Thank you for your very informative website. I was looking up alpha lipoic acid side effects. I note you recommend that high doses can cause nausea and fatigue. This is very true - I am currently taking 200 mg per day (brand Solgar) and this causes intense nausea and fatigue for up to two hours after taking it. After that I feel fine. It has taken me a while to narrow down which supplement was causing this as I was taking bentonite clay, zinc and alpha lipoic acid. However I am now sure it is the alpha lipoic acid.

Benefits of alpha lipoic acid product
Research in humans with alpha lipoic acid is still incomplete. However, alpha lipoic acid may be worthwhile to explore in a variety of medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, peripheral artery disease and Huntington's disease.

Alpha lipoic acid benefit as an antioxidant
Alpha-Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that quenches a variety of reactive oxygen species. It is involved in the regeneration of exogenous and endogenous antioxidants, chelation of metal ions, and repair of oxidized proteins.
  
Alpha lipoic acid can regenerate vitamin C from its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid. Alph lipoic acid can also potentially regenerate other antioxidants. Alpha lipoic acid increases the levels of glutathione, a very important antioxidant normally found in our cells
and responsible for mopping up all types of toxins and free radicals. Glutathione supplements, however, are not helpful since glutathione does not have the ability to cross cell membranes. Fortunately, both laboratory and animal studies have shown that alpha lipoic acid can stimulate the production of this antioxidant. This is particularly important during periods of excessive stress or exposure to radiation or toxic substances. Alpha lipoic acid also acts as a powerful antioxidant in the brain and is likely to protect brain cells from toxins.

Q. Which is the more potent antioxidant: alpha lipoic acid, acetyl-l carnitine or acetylcysteine?
   A. It's difficult to say, all three are great antioxidants and each serve different purposes. It would be better to take small dosages of each rather than a highd dosage of just one antioxidant.

Alpha lipoic acid benefits for blood vessels
Alpha lipoic acid restores endothelial function and significantly improves systemic and local oxidative stress. Improved endothelial function due to alpha lipoic acid is partially attributed to increased nitric oxide bioavailability.

R alpha lipoic acid benefit for brain health
In a study completed at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, rats were supplemented with R alpha lipoic acid to determine if any changes occurred in iron accumulation in the brain. Accumulation of iron and copper has been proposed to contribute to additional oxidative stress in aging and certain neurodegenerative disorders. Results showed that brain iron levels in old R alpha lipoic acid fed animals were lower when compared to controls and were similar to levels seen in young rats.

Alpha lipoic acid for burning mouth syndrome
Alpha-Lipoic acid treatment of 31 patients with sore, burning mouth.
Oral Dis. 2008 Feb. Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
We reviewed a series of patients with sore, burning mouth treated with alpha-lipoic acid supplements between 2000 and May 2006 and subjectively evaluate improvement in symptoms. Thirty-one of the 35 patients (66% of all 47) actually took alpha-lipoic acid as recommended. No patient reported a complete alleviation of symptoms. Six (19%) of these 31 patients felt mostly better, five (16%) felt somewhat better, and 14 (45%) reported no difference. Two patients (7%) reported a worsening of symptoms and four (13%) did not know whether there had been improvement. Conclusion: Eleven of 31 patients (35%) reported benefit from taking alpha lipoic acid supplements. Because we examined only a small number of patients and relied on a subjective outcome assessment, further larger studies using a prospective, randomized, controlled, and double-blind structure are warranted.

Alpha Lipoic acid benefit for diabetes
Alpha lipoic acid is helpful in diabetes, particularly for those with diabetic neuropathy and diabetic nephropathy. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the cause and progression of late microangiopathic (small vessel) complications in diabetes mellitus. Treatment of diabetic patients with the antioxidant lipoic acid reduce oxidative stress and urinary albumin excretion, and slows the progression of endothelial cell damage. Alpha lipoic acid may also may tissues more sensitive to insulin.
  
Diabetics are prone to kidney disease and oxidative stress may play a major role in the progression of diabetic kidney disease. Previous studies have suggested that treatment of diabetic patients with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid reduces oxidative stress and urinary protein excretion. In this study completed at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, the effect of alpha lipoic acid on the progression of kidney cell damage and the course of diabetic nephropathy was evaluated in 84 patients with diabetes over 18 months. Forty-nine patients had no antioxidant treatment and served as a control group. Thirty-five patients were treated with 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid per day. After 18 months of follow up, those on lipoic acid had a slower progression of the disease than the control group as shown by a decrease in the amount of protein lost in urine. Previous studies have shown that alpha lipoic acid may be helpful for diabetic neuropathy, the loss of sensation often first noticed in feet. Laboratory studies have also indicated that lipoic acid reverses the age-associated decline in the proper functioning of mitochondria. Mitochondria are enclosures located within each cell. They are primarily responsible for energy production.

Improvement of insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid.
Kamenova P. Hormones (Athens). 2006 Oct-Dec;5(4):251-8. Department of Diabetology, University Hospital of Endocrinology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
The purpose of the study was to determine whether oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid improves insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Twelve patients were treated with oral alpha-lipoic acid, 600 mg twice daily over a period of 4 weeks. Twelve subjects with normal glucose tolerance served as a control group in terms of insulin sensitivity. At the end of the treatment period, insulin sensitivity of diabetic patients was significantly increased: Short-term oral alpha-lipoic acid treatment increases peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Alpha Lipoic acid benefit for diabetic neuropathy
High blood sugar levels for prolonged periods can be toxic to nerves in the body. Diabetics who don't control their blood sugar eventually start losing sensation in their feet. This is called neuropathy. Other problems follow resulting from damage to various nerves that supply internal organs. Even impotence can result due to loss of nerve sensation in genital organs. However high blood sugar may not be the only culprit leading to neuropathy. Diabetics are usually under high oxidative stress and this probably contributes to their neurological problems.
   Several studies indicate that alpha lipoic acid benefits neuropathy in those with diabetes, party due to its actions as an antioxidant, and also by improving the circulation to tiny blood vessels supplying nerve tissue. However, in real life, not everyone with diabetic neuropathy benefits from the use of an alpha lipoic acid supplement.

Curative effect of alpha-lipoic acid on peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes: a clinical study
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2007 October. Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Clinical Center of Diabetes, Shanghai Institute for Diabetes, Shanghai 200233, China.
To evaluate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 95 type 2 diabetic patients complicated with diabetic neuropathy were randomly divided into 2 groups: treatment group receiving alpha lipoic acid 600 mg day in normal saline 250 ml given by intravenous drip infusion once a day for 14 days; and control group. The total symptom score and Michigan neuropathy screening instrument score 14 days after the management of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The symptom scores of numbness, sting sensation, and burning sensation reduced significantly 2-weeks after alpha lipoic acid  treatment, but there were no significant differences in these symptoms in the control group. Alpha lipoic acid effectively improves the sensitive symptoms of diabetic neuropathy patients.

The effect of alpha-lipoic acid on symptoms and skin blood flow in diabetic neuropathy.
Diabet Med. 2007 Sep;24(9):1034-8. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Medical School, Jeon-ju, South Korea.
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of alpha-lipoic acid on skin blood flow in patients with diabetic neuropathy. We measured skin blood flow in 13 control subjects and 19 patients with diabetic neuropathy using the laser Doppler blood flow technique. Skin blood flow and the extent of skin blood flow changes were compared before and after diabetic patients received 600 mg a day alpha-lipoic acid intravenously for 14 days. Although no significant differences in absolute values of skin blood flow or in the extent of changes were noted, symptoms were reduced after alpha-lipoic acid treatment. This study suggests that alpha-lipoic acid improves symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

Alpha lipoic acid and insulin sensitivity
Improvement of insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid.
Hormones (Athens). 2006 Oct-Dec;5(4):251-8. Kamenova P. Department of Diabetology, University Hospital of Endocrinology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to improve insulin action after parenteral administration. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid on insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Short-term oral alpha-lipoic acid treatment of 600 mg twice daily increases peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Benefit of R alpha lipoic acid for eye health
For many decades people associated the word antioxidant with vitamins E and C. In recent years it has become apparent that there are literally thousands of nutrients and herbs that have antioxidant activity. One of the new stars is alpha lipoic acid (ALA). And it now appears that a form of ALA, called R alpha lipoic acid, is actually the active form.
If you're taking a conventional ALA supplement, you're only getting half or less of the benefit. The reason for this is that most ALA products on the market have both the S form and the R form. The S form is chemically the mirror image of the R form of lipoic acid and cannot be used by the body, hence it is useless. Thus, 50 mg of R ALA is equivalent to 100 mg of regular synthetic ALA which includes both forms. 
   Scientists are now starting to focus their attention on R alpha lipoic acid. Two studies shed additional light on the benefit of the R form. At the University of California in Berkeley, researchers discovered that R alpha lipoic acid protects cultured human retinal pigment cells when the cells were exposed to oxidants. The researchers say, "The present study suggests that the protective effect of R alpha lipoic acid involves multiple pathways and that R alpha lipoic acid could be effective against age-associated increase in oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal cells."


Benefits of alpha lipoic acid for memory and mental health
Feeding lipoic acid and acetyl-l-carnitine to old rats improves performance on memory tasks by lowering oxidative damage and improving mitochondrial function.

Alpha lipoic acid benefit for Alzheimer's disease
Alpha-lipoic acid as a new treatment option for Alzheimer's disease -- a 48 months follow-up analysis.
J Neural Transm Suppl. 2007;(72):189-93. Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Henriettenstiftung, Hannover, Germany.
In a previous study, 600mg alpha-lipoic acid was given daily to nine patients with Alzheimer's disease (receiving a standard treatment with choline-esterase inhibitors) in an open-label study over an observation period of 12 months. The treatment led to a stabilization of cognitive functions in the study group. In this report, we have extended the analysis to 43 patients over an observation period of up to 48 months. In patients with mild dementia, the disease progressed extremely slowly, in patients with moderate dementia at approximately twice the rate. However, the progression appears dramatically lower than data reported for untreated patients or patients on choline-esterase inhibitors in the second year of long-term studies. Despite the fact that this study was not double-blinded, placebo-controlled and randomized, our data suggest that treatment with alpha-lipoic acid might be a successful 'neuroprotective' therapy option for Alzheimer's disease.

Alpha lipoic acid benefit for weight loss
Alpha lipoic acid, by itself, does not have a strong influence on weight loss. But, in combination with hoodia or green tea extracts, could be beneficial for weight loss. You can find alpha lipoic acid in Diet Rx, a safe and effective appetite suppressant.

Alpha lipoic acid and burning mouth syndrome
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) has features of a neuropathy and could be related to the production of the toxic free radicals that are released in stress situations. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant able to increase the levels of intracellular glutathione and eliminate free radicals. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in the therapy of BMS. Method: This was a double blind, controlled study conducted for two months on 60 patients with constant BMS. Comparing alpha-lipoic acid (test) with cellulose starch (placebo). Following treatment with alpha lipoic acid, there was a significant symptomatic improvement, compared with placebo, with the majority showing at least some improvement after 2 months, thus supporting the hypothesis that burning mouth syndrome is a neuropathy. This improvement was maintained in over 70% of patients at the 1 year follow-up.

Loss of Smell
Alpha lipoic acid may help regenerate loss of smell after a cold.

Loss of Taste
Researchers at the University of Medicine and Surgery in Napoli, Italy, selected two homogenous groups, each of 22 patients with idiopathic dysgeusia, an altered perception of taste, matched for age and sex, for an open trial of alpha lipoic acid compared with placebo. The 22 patients in the study group were treated with alpha lipoic acid for 2 months. The 22 patients in the control group were treated for 2 months with carboxymethylcellulose. The latter group was then treated with alpha lipoic acid for 2 months. The results showed significant symptomatic improvements compared with placebo, in both groups of patients with dysgeusia treated with alpha lipoic acid, suggesting that idiopathic dysgeusia may be a neuropathy comparable to the burning mouth syndrome.

Alpha lipoic acid and peripheral artery disease
Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in peripheral arterial disease: a pilot study.
J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Jun;13(5):577-84. Vincent HK, Bourguignon CM, Vincent KR, Taylor AG. Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Alpha lipoic acid at 600 mg a day for a 3 month period may offer pain relief during exercise.

Combination of alpha lipoic acid acetyl-l carnitine
Many nutritional products contain a combination of acetyl l carnitine and alpha lipoic acid and are promoted as anti-aging formulas. These two supplements are excellent antioxidants, but the combination can sometimes be a healthy addition to one's supplement regimen only if used in low dosages. High amounts of a combination of acetyl l carnitine and alpha lipoic acid can lead to restlessness, rapid heart rate and insomnia, which is counterproductive to health and may shorten lifespan rather than increasing longevity.

Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid supplementation of aged beagle dogs improves learning in two landmark discrimination tests.
FASEB J. 2007 Jul 10.
Beagle dogs between 7.6 and 8.8 years of age given a twice daily supplement of alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine over approximately 2 months made significantly fewer errors in reaching the learning criterion on two landmark discrimination tasks compared to controls administered a placebo. The improved performance on the landmark task of dogs supplemented with alpha lipoic acid acetyl-l carnitine provides evidence of the effectiveness of this supplement in improving learning. We suggest that long-term maintenance on alpha lipoic acid acetyl-l carnitine may be effective in attenuating age-associated cognitive decline by slowing the rate of mitochondrial decay and cellular aging.
   Comments: Those who plan to take the combination of alpha lipoic acid acetyl-l carnitine for many months or years should limit the alpha lipoic dosage to less than 20 mg a day and the acetyl l carnitine dosage to less than 100 mg a day.

Alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10
Q. Can a person take alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10 together?
   A. If the CoQ10 dosage is less than 50 mg, and the alpha lipoic acid is less than 50 mg, then they can be taken together a few days a week. Higher dosages could cause insomnia.

Combination of alpha lipoic acid acetyl-l carnitine skin cream and oral supplements
Many nutritional skin products contain a combination of alpha lipoic acid and DMAE and are promoted as anti-aging skin creams. These two supplements are excellent antioxidants, and perhaps could be helpful to skin health, but more research is needed.
   High amounts of a combination of alpha lipoic acid and DMAE can lead to restlessness, anxiety, rapid heart rate and insomnia, which is counterproductive to health and may shorten lifespan rather than increasing longevity.

Alpha lipoic acid and acne
Q. Does alpha lipoic acid supplement use help acne?
   A. As of February 2008, we have not seen any reliable studies regarding the use of this supplement in acne prevention or improvement. We doubt alpha lipoic acid plays a major role in acne treatment.

Alpha lipoic acid cream
There has been some research that alpha lipoic acid cream, when applied to skin, can help reduce fine wrinkles.

Alpha lipoic acid tablet versus capsules
Q. Is there a difference in benefit by taking an alpha lipoic acid tablet versus capsules?
   A. They are both equivalent for practical purposes.

Additional links of interest
5HTP or 5-HTP information regarding mood, sleep, anxiety, and appetite control.
AHCC information about immune system and cancer therapy
Alternative-medicine information regarding many natural ways to treat various conditions
DHEA hormone benefit and symptoms and signs of high dosages
Ray Sahelian, M.D. web site for more information on alpha lipoic acid supplement health benefit.

Alpha lipoic acid supplement questions
Q. What is alpha lipoic acid?
   A. Alpha lipoic acid is a substance similar to vitamin that helps in the energy production in cells. It is also an antioxidant and helps with blood sugar control, hence its potential usefulness in those with diabetes.

Q. Is thioctic acid same as alpha lipoic acid?
   A. Yes. additional names for alpha lipoic acid include lipoic acid, and thioctic acid. This supplement is also abbreviated as ALA.

Q. Is alpha lipoic acid a vitamin?
   A. It is not a vitamin since the body can make some. A vitamin is a substance that the body cannot make enough of and additional amounts have to come from foods otherwise serious illnesses can occur.

Q. What is the best brand alpha lipoic product to buy on the market?
   A. This is nearly impossible to say since there are hundreds of companies that sell alpha lipoic acid products. Chances are the vast majority of alpha lipoic acid supplements that you buy are good products.

Q. Does alpha lipoic acid harm the liver?
   A. We have not come across any reports of alpha lipoic acid causing harm to the liver.

Q. Are there any interaction with alpha lipoic supplement and Acidophilus pills?
    A. Acidophilus supplements are benign and don't interfere with other supplements.

This alpha lipoic acid page was last updated 2008.

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