Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring fatty acid that is highly involved in energy metabolism. It is synthesized in the body and can be consumed through eating meat. It is also minimally present in some fruits and vegetables.
- ALA promotes longevity by providing a short but potent reduction of oxidation. [1] [2] [3]
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid has been demonstrated to suppress appetite with increased energy (subjective rating). [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
- Research has shown that 600mg of ALA daily (paired with 360mg gamma-linoleic acid) in conjunction with a physical rehabilitation program was synergistic with the physical rehabilitation program and promoted nerve recovery over 6 weeks among people with compressive radiculopathy syndrome from disc-nerve root conflict. [10]
- A significant slowdown of brain atrophy has been demonstrated among secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients treated with 1200 mg ALA daily. [11]
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid was found to be effective for reducing nerve pain associated with diabetes. [12]
- ALA supplementation was found to reduce symptoms of claudication (pain and/or cramping in the lower leg due to inadequate blood flow to the muscles). [13]
Standard dosages of Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) tend to be in the range of 300-600mg. Despite being inherently fat-soluble, it does not require dietary fatty acids to be absorbed from the gut. ALA can be taken in a fasted state.
- Monocarboxylic acids may interfere with ALA supplementation as they can compete for absorption.
Alpha-lipoic acid can decrease blood sugar levels, in which case diabetes medications might need to be adjusted. Taking alpha-lipoic acid when there is a shortage of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the body requires thiamine supplementation. Taking alpha-lipoic acid might interfere with treatments for under-active or over-active thyroid.
- Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might decrease the effectiveness of some medications used for cancers. But it is too soon to know if this interaction occurs.
- Taking alpha-lipoic acid seems to decrease how well thyroid hormone works in the body. Taking alpha-lipoic acid with thyroid hormone might decrease the effectiveness of the thyroid hormone.
- Alpha-lipoic acid might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking alpha-lipoic acid along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to go too low. But more evidence is needed to know if this interaction is a big concern.
[2] Liu J, Killilea DW, Ames BN. Age-associated mitochondrial oxidative decay: improvement of carnitine acetyltransferase substrate-binding affinity and activity in brain by feeding old rats acetyl-L- carnitine and/or R-alpha -lipoic acid. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2002)
[3] Hagen Tory M., et al. Feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid to old rats significantly improves metabolic function while decreasing oxidative stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2002)
[4] Kim E, et al. A preliminary investigation of alpha-lipoic acid treatment of antipsychotic drug-induced weight gain in patients with schizophrenia. J Clin Psychopharmacol. (2008)
[5] Fernández-Galilea M, et al. Effects of lipoic acid on apelin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in high-fat fed rats. J Physiol Biochem. (2011)
[6] El Midaoui A, et al. Impact of α-lipoic acid on liver peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, vascular remodeling, and oxidative stress in insulin-resistant rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. (2011)
[7] Prieto-Hontoria PL, et al. Lipoic acid prevents body weight gain induced by a high fat diet in rats: effects on intestinal sugar transport. J Physiol Biochem. (2009)
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[8] Seo EY, Ha AW, Kim WK. α-Lipoic acid reduced weight gain and improved the lipid profile in rats fed with high fat diet. Nutr Res Pract. (2012)
[9] Prieto-Hontoria PL, et al. Lipoic acid inhibits leptin secretion and Sp1 activity in adipocytes. Mol Nutr Food Res. (2011)
[10] Ranieri M, et al. The use of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and rehabilitation in the treatment of back pain: effect on health-related quality of life. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. (2009)
[11] Spain Rebecca, et al. Lipoic acid in secondary progressive MS. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflammation (2017)
[12] Ziegler D., et al. Efficacy and safety of antioxidant treatment with α-lipoic acid over 4 years in diabetic polyneuropathy: the NATHAN 1 trial. Diabetes Care (2011)
[13] Vincent HK., et al. Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in peripheral arterial disease: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. (2007)