Alpha-Lipoic Acid
•Last Updated: December 22 2022
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a mitochondrial compound involved in energy metabolism. It is commonly taken with L-Carnitine supplements, as they are related in mechanisms. ALA provides a short but potent reduction of oxidation by increasing antioxidant enzymes, and may decrease blood glucose acutely.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid is most often used for
Last Updated: December 22 2022
ALA may have a protective effect on neurons, as it was found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) supplementing with ALA for 2 years experienced a smaller decrease in brain volume than expected.[96] Furthermore, ALA may reduce disability scores and improve walking performance in people with MS.[94]
ALA has inconsistent benefits for the treatment of complications from type 2 diabetes such as pain from diabetic neuropathy.[97][98][99]
ALA has a small but consistent body of research supporting its ability to improve semen parameters like sperm concentration and sperm motility.[100][101][102] It also appears to be beneficial for female fertility processes like oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).[102]
ALA is involved in cellular respiration in the mitochondria by serving as a cofactor of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, a key enzyme involved in energy production.[96]
ALA may benefit neurological health by increasing Nf-e2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which increases phase II detoxification and antioxidant genes, potentially reducing oxidative damage.[104][105] ALA’s role in decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation may benefit vascular health as well.[106] ALA also mildly increases flow-mediated dilation (a measure of vascular function), possibly by increasing endothelium-derived nitric oxide.[107]
Note that Alpha-Lipoic Acid is also known as:
- ALA
- thioctic acid
- 1 2-dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid
Alpha-Lipoic Acid should not be confused with:
- Alpha-Linolenic Acid (omega-3 fatty acid)
Standard dosages of Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) tend to be in the range of 300-600mg, with little differentiation based on whether the racemic mixture of ALA (S- and R- isomers) or Na-R-ALA results in higher blood levels.
ALA appears to be absorbed via transporter-related means, and despite being inherently fat-soluble it does not require dietary fatty acids to be absorbed from the gut. ALA supplementation can be taken in a fasted state.
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