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Alpha Lipoic Acid

barrym said:
That's one of the two sites I posted. What I still don't know is how much I should take for neuropathy. 6 capsules? Seems a bit excessive.
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I take 2 capsules of the double strength, which is 200mg. I take one mid morning and one mid afternoon, with water. I just followed the recommended dose on the bottle.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Alpha-lipoic acid consists of two different forms (isomers) that have vastly different properties. The "R" form is the biologically active component (native to the body) that is responsible for lipoic acid's phenomenal antioxidant effect. The "S" form is produced from chemical manufacture and is not very biologically active. Typical alpha-lipoic acid supplements consist of the "R" and "S" form in a 50/50 ratio. That means a 100 mg alpha-lipoic acid supplement is providing 50 mg of the biologically active "R" form. The human body normally produces and uses the "R" form of lipoic acid. This active form, R-lipoic acid, significantly supports healthy inflammatory response, is a potent free-radical scavenger and has been shown to be more potent than the combined "R" and "S" forms that comprise most alpha-lipoic acid supplements.

In other words, the R-ALA is a natural form as found in our bodies, and by buying the R-ALA you get almost 100% of the benefit (minus whatever they use for the coating). In the ordinary ALA you only get 50% of the natural form (R-ALA) and 50% of the chemically manufactured form, S-ALA, which is not particularly active. So with the ordinary capsules you need twice as many for the same benefit and also fill your body with chemicals.
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A chemist told me that ALA yes has both but when its created the 2 came hand in hand so has to be chemically seperated which is expensive. S-ala is a byproduct of ALA but not made as s-ala.
 
ickihun said:
A chemist told me that ALA yes has both but when its created the 2 came hand in hand so has to be chemically seperated which is expensive. S-ala is a byproduct of ALA but not made as s-ala.
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Yes, expensive to buy the pure R-ALA, but I prefer natural, and you can take less for the same benefit so they don't cost any more in the grand scheme of things.
 
Hi All,

Sorry for butting in, I have only just seen this thread, Could someone back track a little and explain about this chemical and what it does, I have been a T1 for 30 years and the last month or so have had painful calfs in the morning, walking is painful, pins and needles in my feet, is this neuropathy ? would this chemical help ?
 
I bought my first tub of R-Alpha Lipoic Acid last month and I was taking one a day. I now need to buy some more but I can't afford them until I get paid at the end of the month as they are quite expensive £20+ - the most I've ever paid for any supplement. I am new to this and thought I would give it a try. I don't have neuropathy but I want to take it for it's antioxidant benefits. I'm on quite a lot of medication and will mention taking this to my GP next time is see him but i'm doubting he's even heard of it as one of my GP's had never hear of Co-enzyme Q10 which I take because i'm on statins. I just want to be cautious about taking any more stuff on top of what i'm already taking. Does this make sense?
 
I recently encountered the idea that taking evening primrose oil enhances the effect of R-alpha-lipoic acid. I think it was Dr Bernstein who said this, but I'm not sure. Has anyone else heard this?
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Still not cheap, but slightly cheaper than yours
https://www.healthmonthly.co.uk/swa...acid?af=wg&utm_source=webgains&utm_medium=cpa
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I have ordered my next batch of ALA from Swanson this time.

I'm not taking this for neuropathy but purely for the antioxidant benefits (and it's supposed to be OK and improve fatty liver which I also have).

I'd like to ask to those of you who have been taking this for a while, what benefits did you notice and if for some reason you stopped taking it, did you notice a difference?

I will only be taking one 100mg tablet daily.
 
Well I'm approaching the end of the 2nd month of taking one per day 300mg RALA. No change in my symptoms that I can detect. Do you think I should have seen an improvement by now, should I try another two months, or is it looking as if it isn't going to work for me?

My neuropathy symptoms are redness across the top of my feet, and a general numbness, worse at night. Or more noticeable.

I also get cramps in my legs and feet now, but not sure if I should expect any change in that from RALA.
 
My drastic reduction in waist size occurred whilst I was taking ALA - trying to reduce the consequences of the Metformin and statin tablets which were still hanging on weeks after I stopped them.
My middle was a rock hard 'bay window' this time last year. Now I can bend down to the lowest shelves in the fridges without my ribs being forced outwards. I don't go dizzy either.
 
barrym said:
Well I'm approaching the end of the 2nd month of taking one per day 300mg RALA. No change in my symptoms that I can detect. Do you think I should have seen an improvement by now, should I try another two months, or is it looking as if it isn't going to work for me?

My neuropathy symptoms are redness across the top of my feet, and a general numbness, worse at night. Or more noticeable.

I also get cramps in my legs and feet now, but not sure if I should expect any change in that from RALA.
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300mg may not be enough. I take 600mg (one in the morning and one in the afternoon)

EDIT. I am WRONG about that. I just checked. I take 200mg of the R-ALA. Sorry if I confused you.
 
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