Lipoic acid, also known as alpha lipoic acid is a powerful,
natural antioxidant slowly becoming recognized as having some unique properties in the
therapy and prevention of a broad range of diseases. In addition to being a
powerful antioxidant,
alpha lipoic acid helps the body use glucose, hence alpha lipoic acid's
potential role in improving blood sugar control. Lipoic acid is readily absorbed from the diet or as a supplement.
You can find alpha lipoic acid in
Eyesight
Rx, a product that helps with vision improvement.
A
combination of hoodia,
alpha lipoic acid, ginger, cinnamon, green tea extract, spirulina, acetylcarnitine, choline,
guggul, and several
other herbs and nutrients, as found in
Diet Rx, a very effective
herbal diet pill for weight
loss. Users of Diet Rx have lost several pounds within a week or two.
R Alpha Lipoic Acid product - Physician Formulas
R-Alpha Lipoic Acid. R-ALA 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 is not useful to the body.
R Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplement Facts
R Alpha Lipoic Acid - 50 mg *
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Mind Power Rx for better
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Alpha Lipoic Acid
dosage
50 mg For more
alpha lipoic acid
info.
Alpha Lipoic
Acid dosage 100 mg
Alpha Lipoic acid is a powerful fat- and water soluble
antioxidant. It directly recycles vitamin C and indirectly recycles vitamin E,
providing additional antioxidant protection. It is also an important component
in the energy production process in the cells.
R Alpha Lipoic Acid - Good For Your
Brain and Eyes
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. 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
alpha lipoic acid
supplement, you're only getting half or less of the benefit. The reason for this is
that most
alpha lipoic acid
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
alpha lipoic acid
which includes both forms.
Scientists are now starting to
focus their attention on R lipoic acid. Two recent 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."
In a second 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.
Most R alpha lipoic acid capsules come in a 50 mg dosage. For long term use,
half or one capsule 3 times a week is adequate. Some people may
prefer using a quarter, third or half a capsule since high doses
may cause shallow sleep, even if the supplement is taken in the morning.
Food source of alpha lipoic
acid
Food sources of alpha lipoic acid include meats and certain vegetables
such as spinach.
Alpha Lipoic Acid dosage questions
Q. I am a type II diabetic and use no insulin or prescription drugs. I keep my
morning glucose readings in the 80-120 range with diet and supplements. Other sources recommend more
alpha lipoic
acid
for diabetics
that for "normal" people. Do you agree with that recommendation? They
recommend 600mg (equals 300mg R-form) for diabetics which greatly exceeds
the recommendation of 50mg R
alpha lipoic
acid
three days a week! How can I reconcile
these disparate recommendations? 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
alpha lipoic
acid
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
alpha lipoic
acid dosages 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
face="Arial" color="#000000">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. Q. I
read in Dr Sahelian's newsletter about the lady who suffered irregular
heartbeat from taking alpha lipoic acid dosage 300mg three times per day for
several weeks and having to be hospitalized as a result. In a Pub Med
report German researchers reported how alpha lipoic acid interfered with
the conversion of T4 to T3 by body tissues. The alpha lipoic acid caused
more interference than even the antihyperthyroid drug propylthiouracil. If
the lady in question was taking T4 or if her thyroid system was not
working well, then perhaps this relatively large quantity of alpha lipoic
acid taken daily, could have acted like a large daily dose of a
antihyperthyroid medicine and could possibly could have affected her heart
rhythm. I have had a unique experience myself, I believe, with the
interaction of alpha lipoic acid and Levothroid (T4). MAbout a year ago I
was taking 300mcg of Levothroid and 200x2 mg of alpha lipoic acid per day,
as
well as 500 mg x 2 of acetyl l carnitine, plus all of the common vitamins,
minerals and Androgel and told my doctor that I was feeling the better
than I had in the last 20 years. However, because my FT4 level test
registered about 20% above the high range he recommended that I reduce my
Levothroid dosage. I had no hyperthyroid symptoms. After reducing my
Levothroid in steps over time, my FT4 tests came down to just under the
high range, but physically I lost most of my physical and mental drive. I
have since raised by Levothroid dosage back to 300mcg, in steps, and feel
great again. I should mention that I am a 86 year old male, play tennis
twice a week and work out twice a week doing strength training. I hope
that my experience with alpha lipoic acid and T4 will be of value to
others. Incidentally, the alpha lipoic acid acetyl l carnitine combination
worked well for me, as it has for others.
Q. Can alpha
lipoic acid and co q10 be taken together? What about alpha lipoic acid and
dmae?
A. Yes, as long as the dosage of alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10 are
kept low, same with DMAE.
Q. Is alpha lipoic acid a vitamin?
A. Since the body can make some alpha lipoic acid on its own, it is
not considered a vitamin.
Q. Would you say alpha lipoic acid is an
anti-aging supplement?
A. It is possible that low dosages of alpha lipoic acid could have
antiaging potential but no such research is available and is not likely to
be available for several decades. It is also possible that high doses of
alpha lipoic acid could cause reduce longevity due to side effects.
Q. What is R-Lipoic Acid derived from, how is R
Lipoic acid made? What is the estimated half-life of R-Lipoic Acid in the
body of an adult male?
A. R alpha lipoic acid is made synthetically, and different labs
have different methods of making it and purifying it. We have not come
across any specific research on the half life of R lipoic acid, but from
feedback from users we do know that even if a 50 mg R lipoic acid is taken
in the morning, some people notice the effects of alertness even at
bedtime.
Q. I have read with interest the emails of
folks having side-effects from Alpha lipoic acid. I have have been using
an R-ALA product now for several years. I began using it for its potential
as an anti-inflammatory when I had a severe brachial plexus neuritis, and
it seemed to be helpful. At that time I took 450 mg t.i.d. I currently
take 150 mg each am, along with 250 mg
Acetyl-l-Carnitine. I have
experienced no side effects from either dose, at least as far as I can
ascertain. What is your opinion of using the right isomer isolate?
A. We think the R form is the preferred isomer. At this time we are
not convinced that taking more than 50 mg a day is necessary, but each
person is unique in their response.
Q. Can
Hoodia Extract and alpha lipoic acid be taken
together?
A. In small amounts, yes.
Q. What is the usual starting dose for alpha lipoic
acid?
A. The usual staring dosage for alpha lipoic acid can range from 10
to 50 mg.
Q. Are there are any supplements that can be taken to
help regenerate Olfactory Nerve receptor cells? I lost my sense of smell
and taste 15 months ago after using a zinc-based homeopathic nasal spray,
and I have read that the Olfactory Nerve receptors have the ability, over
time, to regenerate. I also read that treatment with Human Growth Hormone
may aid in the regeneration of damaged nerves and wonder whether this is a
legitimate claim.
A. Over the counter human growth hormone products cannot be
trusted. One small study showed Alpha lipoic acid was helpful treating
loss of smell after a cold, but we have not seen clinical trials in other
cases.
Q. I too had been taking alpha lipoic acid 300 mg a
day--and started having heart palpitations so I stopped. My question is do
you think that taking 300 mg once a week would be the same as taking 50 mg
once a day?
A. It's difficult to say, but we prefer using lower amounts of
alpha lipoic acid more frequently than a high dose.
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