Lipoic acid is a powerful, natural antioxidant and has unique benefits in the therapy and prevention of a broad range of diseases. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, it helps the body utilize glucose, hence it's potential role in improving blood sugar control. It reduces complications from a high sugar diet. This nutrient is readily absorbed from the diet or as a supplement. It has a variety of benefits, particularly for diabetics.

buy R Lipoic Acid supplement 50 mg

The R form is much more potent than commonly sold products which contains both the R and S forms. The S form is chemically the mirror image of the R form of lipoic acid and is not useful to the body.

Supplement Facts
R Lipoic Acid 50 mg


buy R Lipoic acid

Conditions where this supplement may be helpful
Research in humans with ALA is still incomplete. However, this nutraceutical may theoretically be useful in a variety of medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease.

Antioxidant
Lipoic acid can regenerate vitamin C from its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid. It can also potentially regenerate other antioxidants. It 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 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. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant in the brain and is likely to protect brain cells from toxins. Resveratrol in red wine, does it have anti-aging benefits, is it better than ALA?

Blood vessel integrity and endothelial function
Alpha lipoic acid supplement protects blood vessel lining from high blood sugar damage.
The antioxidant lipoic acid improves endothelial dysfunction induced by acute hyperglycaemia during OGTT in impaired glucose tolerance.
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2007.
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is considered a transitional phase in the development of type 2 diabetes, and is also independently associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction represents a very early step in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to examine endothelial dysfunction in the fasting state and after a glucose challenge as well as after administration of alpha lipoic acid 300 mg. Treatment improved endotheliar function.

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. 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. Diabetics are usually under high oxidative stress and this probably contributes to their neurological problems.
   Several studies indicate that alpha lipoic acid has beneficial effects on diabetic neuropathy, party due to its actions as an antioxidant, and also by improving the circulation to tiny blood vessels supplying nerve tissue.

Memory and brain function
Feeding alpha 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 supplement side effects, risk
There are no indications that low doses, 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. Unlike most antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and selenium, there is actually a noticeable effect from taking alpha lipoic acid. Some people notice enhanced visual acuity. Higher dosages, such as 50 mg or more, even when taken in the morning, can cause shallow sleep.

questions
Dr. Sahelian recommends that people take 5, 10 or up to 50 mg of R alpha lipoic acid daily, but I see many companies offering it only in 50 mg capsules. Also, can one take tongkat ali with the antioxidant?
   A capsule can be opened and the partial contents used, the rest stored for another day. We don't suggest taking them the same day.

My wife took 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid and 5 mg biotin for about 6 weeks, last year. After six weeks she started coughing a lot and felt swelling in throat. After that in October she started feeling slow in speech and was referred to ENT doctor. He told about throat swelling and put her on Aciphex. Even after two months use of Aciphex, that slow speech is still there. In may the doctor referred for ALS test and she was diagnosed for ALS symptoms by the ALS Specialist. She was on thyroid medication also for last seven years. Now my concern is whether alpha lipoic acid dose 600mg or biotin had an adverse affect or interference in thyroid may have caused development of ALS. We have no one in family history with ALS symptoms. Now at this stage her speech is very distorted and not understandable.