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, ALA supplements help the body use glucose, hence their potential role in improving
blood sugar control and benefit those with diabetes. Alpha lipoic acid reduces
complications from a high sugar diet. This nutrient is readily absorbed from the diet or as a supplement.
This nutraceutical has a variety
of benefits, particularly for those with diabetes and diabetic neuropathy.
Even though these supplements have many health
benefits, many people take too high dosages 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 side effects are heart rhythm irregularities. We suggest you limit
your dosage to 50 mg a few days a week unless you are being treated by your
health care provider and he or she believes you need higher dosages to treat
your medical condition.
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 alpha lipoic acid
which contains both the R and S forms. The S form is chemically the
mirror image of the R form and is not useful
to the body. ALA 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.
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 capsule is best taken in the morning with breakfast. If you plan to take higher amounts, please do so under medical supervision.
What is the best brand alpha lipoic product to buy?
This is nearly impossible to say since there are hundreds of companies
that sell such products. Chances are the vast majority that you buy are good products.
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. 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 and daily intake
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 this
nutraceutical 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.
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?
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.
There are many alpha lipoic acid products with 300 mg of the supplement. Are they safe?
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.
Your website suggests that you need only 10-50 mg per
day, other sites show as much as 450 or 600 mg per day.
There
are no guidelines regarding the proper dosage of R alpha lipoic acid since not
many studies have been done with it. To be safe, one should err on the
side of taking less rather than more since it is very potent.
Alpha lipoic acid
side effects,
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. At the advice of a consultant at a vitamin store, I started taking 900 mg (300mg 3 times a day). 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.
Q. 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 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.
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, this nutrient 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.
Acne
Does alpha lipoic acid supplement use help acne?
We have not seen any reliable studies regarding the use of this
supplement in acne prevention or improvement. We doubt it plays a major role in acne treatment.
Benefit as an
antioxidant
It is involved in the regeneration of exogenous and
endogenous antioxidants, chelation of metal ions, repair of oxidized
proteins and protects brain cells from toxins. It can regenerate vitamin C from its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid.
Itincreases 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.
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 high dosage of just one antioxidant.
Alzheimer's disease prevention
or treatment
The combination of exercise training and alpha-lipoic acid treatment has
therapeutic effects on the pathogenic phenotypes of Alzheimer's disease in NSE/APPsw-transgenic
mice.
Int J Mol Med. 2010.
Our results suggest that the combination with ET and LA may
contribute to protect the neuron injury induced by Abeta peptides and may be
considered an effective therapeutic strategy for human subjects suffering from
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.
Our data suggest that
treatment with alpha-lipoic acid might be a successful neuroprotective therapy
option for Alzheimer's disease.
Circulation, benefits for blood
vessels
It 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.
Effect of alpha lipoic acid on oxidative stress and
vascular wall of diabetic rats.
Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2009.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of alpha lipoic acid
supplementation on plasma lipid, oxidative stress and vascular changes in
diabetic rats. It is concluded that alpha lipoic acid has the potential in
preventing the alteration of vascular morphology in diabetic rats probably
through the improvement of glycemic status and lipid cholesterol issues as well
as its antioxidant activities.
Benefit for brain health
Accumulation of
iron and copper has been proposed to contribute to additional oxidative
stress in aging and certain neurodegenerative disorders. Results show
that brain iron levels in old R alpha lipoic acid fed animals are lower
when compared to controls and were similar to levels seen in young rats.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with alpha-lipoic acid.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2009.
Our study was aimed to compare the efficacy of a fixed association of ALA 600 mg/die and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) 360 mg/die, and a
multivitamin B preparation (Vit B6 150 mg, Vit B1 100 mg, Vit B12 500 microg
daily) for 90 days in 112 subjects with moderately severe CTS. In conclusion,
the fixed association of ALA and GLA proved to be a useful tool and may be
proposed for controlling symptoms and improving the evolution of CTS, especially
in the earlier stages of disease.
Benefit for
diabetes
Alpha lipoic acid is helpful in diabetes,
particularly for those with diabetic
neuropathy and 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.
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.
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.
The role of alpha-lipoic acid in diabetic
polyneuropathy treatment.
Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2008.
The goal was to estimate the effects on symptoms of
diabetic neuropathy after 600 mg i.v. for 3 weeks and 3 months of 300-600 mg of
alpha-lipoic acid per os. Following parameters were monitored in 100 diabetics
suffering from Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, both men and women: diabetes
duration, duration of polyneuropathy symptoms, height, weight,
BMI (body mass index), subjective assessment of patients, objective examinations
of physicians. 100 diabetics, average
age 61,36; oldest 79, youngest 40, suffered from diabetes in average 12 years.
There were 35 men and 65 women, 16 with Type 1 and 80 with Type 2 diabetes,
while 4 patients were not classified. 69 were having insulin therapy and 31 oral hypoglicemics. Average duration of polyneuropathy symptoms was 3 years.
Significant statistic differences in improvement were found in sensory symptoms
of polyneuropathy, pain sensations as polyneuropathy symptoms, total score of
polyneuropathy symptoms, subjective assessment of patients, subjective findings
of physicians, and significant differences were not found) in autonomous and
motor neuropathy. The application of alpha-lipoic acid during 3 months helped to
decrease the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and in only one case out of 100
included patients there was no subjective improvement after drug application.
Curative effect of alpha-lipoic acid on peripheral
neuropathy in type 2 diabetes: a clinical study
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2007.
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.
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.
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 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
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."
Liver health
We have not come across any reports of alpha lipoic acid causing
harm to the liver.
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.
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.
Peripheral
artery disease
Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in peripheral arterial disease: a
pilot study.
J Altern Complement Med. 2007
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
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 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.
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 provides evidence of the effectiveness. 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 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
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 cream
There has been some research that alpha lipoic acid cream, when applied to skin,
can help reduce fine wrinkles.
Tablet versus capsules
Is there a difference in benefit by taking an alpha lipoic acid tablet versus
capsules?
They are both equivalent for practical purposes.
Additional pages
Action Labs
Turbo Energy supplement
Aller-Respnse
by Source Naturals is a seasonal formula featuring quercetin for allergy help
Allimax
allicin power garlic extract. Garlic has many health benefits.
American Bioscience Dog-Gone Pain Supplement
Amerifit
Estroven supplement
Estroven PMS
supplement for symptoms of PMS
Albizzia
julibrissin has antidepressant type activity
Amaltas is a tree that grows in
India and Malaysia
Antioxidant supplement
benefit: How much should one take? Will taking an
alpha lipoic pill along with several antioxidant supplements help you live
longer?
Bambusa Vulgaris,
or bamboo, has a long history of use Asian medicine.