Alpha Lipoic Acid and its benefits

[barani19]

Hi All,

I stumbled upon multiple videos when reading about the cause of peripheral neuropathy, its causes and how it can be kept it control, if not cured.

The hero of this read was Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA in short). So, I would like to summarize what I have listened so far.

The main functions of the Alpha Lipoic Acid are the below.

1) Converts Glucose into energy

2) It decreases the elevated glucose levels and improves insulin sensitivity

3) Helps in transport glucose into the cells in the absence of insulin.

We have ALA inside our cells.

Alpha Lipoic Acid exists in 3 different forms. Only one form is effective.

a) R - Alpha Lipoic Acid -> this is the only form that is effective. It is water and fat soluble, biologically active, 12X more potent than other forms.

b) S - Alpha Lipoic Acid - or synthetic form. It is not in usable form for the body. It inhibits absorption of R-Alpha Lipoic Acid.

c) RS- Alpha Lipoic Acid - mixture of R and S (50:50)

Hence, it is worth talking about ALA to your GP.

Note: Please do not try any supplements without consulting a doctor

[sandybrown]

Thank you for this post.

[nyonyo]

How could we know if it is R or S-ALA?

[barani19 Administrator in reply to nyonyo]

nyonyo ,

If the label says "Alpha Lipoic Acid" , then it is S- Alpha Lipoic Acid. In other words, if no prefix is explicitly mentioned, then it is S- Alpha Lipoic acid.

Please see the image of the one I bought. It clearly says R- ALA.

R Alpha Lipoic Acid

[nyonyo in reply to barani19]

Thank you

[gangadharan_nair]

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is made naturally in the body and also found in foods. It is used to break down carbohydrates and to make energy.

Links:-

(1)webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre...

(2)en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipoi...

[bipulbhattacharyya in reply to gangadharan_nair]

Is ALA helpfull to reduce Diabetic Neoropathy? Is it control Diabetics?

[barani19 Administrator in reply to bipulbhattacharyya]

@bipulbhattacharyya

ALA with tocotrienol has helped to reduce leg pain that was intolerable. I plan to continue my research with R-ALA. Let me update this thread after some months.

[Mohannandigana1952]

No idea about this. My health involved with diabetic blood pressure and neuropathy problems. That. Is what my doctor says

[barani19 Administrator]

A quick update. I tried R-ALA (300 mg) supplement with Glycomet 500 SR for 3 months and found my HbA1c reduced from 7.0% to 6.1%.

[sandybrown]

Are you in any of these medication?

"Who shouldn't take alpha-lipoic acid? Do not take alpha-lipoic acid without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications: insulin or oral diabetes medicine; medicines to treat underactive thyroid, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid) and others; or. cancer medicines (chemotherapy)."

"Contraindications of Glycomet Sr 500 MG

If you have problems with your liver or kidney. If you are an alcoholic (you daily consume alcohol in excess). If you have uncontrolled diabetes. If you have any heart problems or if you recently had a heart attack.15 May 2023"

Take care.

[barani19 Administrator in reply to sandybrown]

Please read this research paper sandybrown , pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/311...

[sandybrown]

Thank for this link information.

[barani19 Administrator]

One more link for you sandybrown , nature.com/articles/aps201464

[sandybrown]

I understand attenuation. I learned this in Telecommunication.

Thank you for this link.

[barani19 Administrator]

A quick update on this topic. I tried having R-Alpha lipoic acid supplement (300 mg a day) for the last six months or so. It had a positive impact for the initial three months. My appetite got reduced as the R-ALA is a natural appetite suppressant. It had a direct impact on my hbA1c. My hba1c got reduced to 6.1%. I was pretty happy with this result. I continued having this supplement but made a small change in my breakfast. I replaced boiled peanuts with 2 dosas (50% urad dal. all organic ingredients). my hba1c this time is 7.8%. Tiredness is back, particularly after breakfast. So, I will be switching back to boiled peanuts and stopping R-ALA as of now.