ALPHA LIPOIC ACID (ALSO KNOWN AS ALA)

The Details

What is Alpha Lipoic Acid?

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a fatty acid that acts as a strong antioxidant. While it is an essential compound, it can be produced in small amounts by humans, and thus is not a true vitamin.

What does Alpha Lipoic Acid do?

Alpha lipoic acid is an essential cofactor in the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme complex that is a critical step in carbohydrate metabolism. ALA is also a required cofactor for enzymes in the Krebs cycle, and in the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids and glycine. ALA has been found to activate the insulin-signaling cascade and increase glucose uptake in cultured fat and muscle cells. It main interest as a supplement, however, is that of a powerful antioxidant. It the later capacity, it serves to regenerate active forms of glutathione, and vitamins C and E following their uses.

What does an Alpha Lipoic Acid deficiency appear as?

Alpha lipoic acid is synthesized by human cells, and deficiency of this nutrient is unknown, except in rare metabolic disorders affecting enzymes in ALA biosynthesis, whereas it presents as mitochondrial disease (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24777537).

What about Alpha Lipoic Acid’s use in disease? 

Alpha-lipoic acid supplements have been used in Europe and elsewhere for certain types of nerve damage, especially that related to diabetes. Several studies have shown that ALA can improve insulin resistance. There is some data that long-term use of alpha lipoic acid might help with oxidative damage related to aging (including its use in skin creams). Other uses include in Amanita mushroom poisoning, glaucoma, retinal disorders, cataracts, kidney disease, migraines, memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, HIV/AIDS, Lyme disease, and obesity.

What are the common and/or important side effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid?

While any supplement taken into the stomach can cause nausea, alpha lipoic acid seems to be a frequent offender. Thus, medical care providers often recommend a lower dose at first, which is increased over time. Due to its effects on insulin metabolism, people with diabetes and/or hypoglycemia should be careful as alpha-lipoic acid might lower their blood sugar.

Is there any laboratory testing for an Alpha Lipoic Acid Deficiency?

 Testing is neither generally available nor of apparent clinical utility outside of consideration of a metabolic defect in ALA biosynthesis.

Additional Dosing Beyond EnergyNeeds®

Because of the potential for nausea, the dosage of ALA in EnergyNeeds® (150 mg a day in adults) is lower than the 400 mg a day in adults often recommended for mitochondrial disease. Thus, you may wish to speak to your health care provider regarding additional ALA supplementation beyond EnergyNeeds® if you have been diagnosed with a proven or suspected mitochondrial disorder.