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Alpha-Lipoic Acid
•Last Updated: July 25, 2023
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:July 25, 2023
Alpha-lipoic acid, also known as thioctic acid, is a sulfur-containing antioxidant that plays a role in energy production within the mitochondria and helps scavenge reactive oxygen species. It is synthesized in plants, animals, and humans from cysteine and fatty acids.
Alpha-lipoic acid may protect neurons and reduce disability in people with multiple sclerosis, and it also shows potential benefits for diabetic neuropathy, male fertility, and female fertility processes related to polycystic ovary syndrome. However, its effects on diabetic complications are inconsistent.
Alpha-lipoic acid is generally safe and well tolerated, but it may cause gastrointestinal upset, headache, rash, and, in rare cases, renal dysfunction.
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) functions as a cofactor in mitochondrial energy production and may enhance neurological health by boosting antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative damage. Additionally, ALA may improve vascular health by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation, and it can mildly enhance vascular function by increasing nitric oxide levels.
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.
Research FeedRead all studies
- ^Christy J, Noorani S, Sy F, Al-Eryani K, Enciso REfficacy of alpha-lipoic acid in patients with burning mouth syndrome compared to that of placebo or other interventions: a systematic review with meta-analyses.J Dent Anesth Pain Med.(2022-Oct)
- ^Xie H, Yang X, Cao Y, Long X, Shang H, Jia ZRole of lipoic acid in multiple sclerosis.CNS Neurosci Ther.(2022-Mar)
- ^Schreibelt G, Musters RJ, Reijerkerk A, de Groot LR, van der Pol SM, Hendrikx EM, Döpp ED, Dijkstra CD, Drukarch B, de Vries HELipoic acid affects cellular migration into the central nervous system and stabilizes blood-brain barrier integrity.J Immunol.(2006-Aug-15)
- ^Spain R, Powers K, Murchison C, Heriza E, Winges K, Yadav V, Cameron M, Kim E, Horak F, Simon J, Bourdette DLipoic acid in secondary progressive MS: A randomized controlled pilot trial.Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm.(2017-Sep)
- ^Abubaker SA, Alonazy AM, Abdulrahman AEffect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in the Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review.Cureus.(2022-Jun)
- ^Vakali E, Rigopoulos D, Carrillo AE, Flouris AD, Dinas PCEffects of Alpha-lipoic Acid Supplementation on Human Diabetic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Curr Diabetes Rev.(2022)
- ^Jibril AT, Jayedi A, Shab-Bidar SEfficacy and safety of oral alpha-lipoic acid supplementation for type 2 diabetes management: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized trials.Endocr Connect.(2022-Oct-01)
- ^Dong L, Yang F, Li J, Li Y, Yu X, Zhang XEffect of oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on sperm parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Basic Clin Androl.(2022-Dec-08)
- ^Hodeeb YM, El-Rewiny EM, Gaafar AM, Zayed AN, Hasan MS, Elsaie MLThe effect of alpha lipoic acid supplementation on sperm functions in idiopathic asthenozoospermic patients: a case-controlled study.Hum Fertil (Camb).(2022-Jan-13)
- ^Di Tucci C, Galati G, Mattei G, Bonanni V, Capri O, D'Amelio R, Muzii L, Benedetti Panici PThe role of alpha lipoic acid in female and male infertility: a systematic review.Gynecol Endocrinol.(2021-Jun)
- ^Reljanovic M, Reichel G, Rett K, Lobisch M, Schuette K, Möller W, Tritschler HJ, Mehnert HTreatment of diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid): a two year multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (ALADIN II). Alpha Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy.Free Radic Res.(1999-Sep)
- ^Shay KP, Michels AJ, Li W, Kong AN, Hagen TMCap-independent Nrf2 translation is part of a lipoic acid-stimulated detoxification stress response.Biochim Biophys Acta.(2012 Jun)
- ^The Neuroprotective Antioxidant α-lipoic Acid Induces Detoxication Enzymes in Cultured Astroglial Cells
- ^Hajizadeh-Sharafabad F, Sharifi Zahabi ERole of alpha-lipoic acid in vascular function: A systematic review of human intervention studies.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.(2022)
- ^Jalilpiran Y, Hajishafiee M, Khorshidi M, Rezvani H, Mohammadi-Sartang M, Rahmani J, Mousavi SMThe effect of Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on endothelial function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Phytother Res.(2020-Nov-18)
- ^Uchigata Y, Hirata YInsulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS, Hirata disease).Ann Med Interne (Paris).(1999-Apr)
- ^Wong SL, Priestman A, Holmes DTRecurrent hypoglycemia from insulin autoimmune syndrome.J Gen Intern Med.(2014-Jan)
- ^Veltroni A, Zambon G, Cingarlini S, Davì MVAutoimmune hypoglycaemia caused by alpha-lipoic acid: a rare condition in Caucasian patients.Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep.(2018)
- ^Bae SM, Bae MN, Kim EY, Kim IK, Seo MW, Shin JK, Cho SR, Jeong GHRecurrent Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome Caused by α-Lipoic Acid in Type 2 Diabetes.Endocrinol Metab (Seoul).(2013-Dec)
- ^Yamada T, Imai J, Ishigaki Y, Hinokio Y, Oka Y, Katagiri HPossible relevance of HLA-DRB1*0403 haplotype in insulin autoimmune syndrome induced by alpha-lipoic acid, used as a dietary supplement.Diabetes Care.(2007-Dec)
- ^Gullo D, Evans JL, Sortino G, Goldfine ID, Vigneri RInsulin autoimmune syndrome (Hirata Disease) in European Caucasians taking α-lipoic acid.Clin Endocrinol (Oxf).(2014-Aug)
- ^Paiva ES, Pereira AE, Lombardi MT, Nishida SK, Tachibana TT, Ferrer C, Hauache OM, Vieira JG, Reis AFInsulin autoimmune syndrome (Hirata disease) as differential diagnosis in patients with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.Pancreas.(2006-May)
- ^Ishida Y, Ohara T, Okuno Y, Ito T, Hirota Y, Furukawa K, Sakaguchi K, Ogawa W, Kasuga MAlpha-lipoic acid and insulin autoimmune syndrome.Diabetes Care.(2007-Sep)
- ^Li Z, Su Y, Yi D, Wu C, Fang W, Wang CAnalysis of the clinical characteristics of insulin autoimmune syndrome induced by alpha-lipoic acid.J Clin Pharm Ther.(2021-Oct)
- ^Furukawa N, Miyamura N, Nishida K, Motoshima H, Taketa K, Araki EPossible relevance of alpha lipoic acid contained in a health supplement in a case of insulin autoimmune syndrome.Diabetes Res Clin Pract.(2007-Mar)
- ^Moffa S, Improta I, Rocchetti S, Mezza T, Giaccari APotential cause-effect relationship between insulin autoimmune syndrome and alpha lipoic acid: Two case reportsNutrition.(2019 Jan)
- ^, Turck D, Castenmiller J, de Henauw S, Hirsch-Ernst KI, Kearney J, Knutsen HK, Mangelsdorf I, McArdle HJ, Naska A, Pelaez C, Pentieva K, Siani A, Thies F, Tsabouri S, Vinceti M, Cappellani D, Ijzerman R, Van Loveren H, Titz A, Maciuk AScientific opinion on the relationship between intake of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) and the risk of insulin autoimmune syndrome.EFSA J.(2021-Jun)
- ^Yamada Y, Kitayama K, Oyachi M, Higuchi S, Kawakita R, Kanamori Y, Yorifuji TNationwide survey of endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in Japan (2017-2018): Congenital hyperinsulinism, insulinoma, non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome and insulin autoimmune syndrome (Hirata's disease).J Diabetes Investig.(2020-May)
- ^Moretti R, Angeletti C, Minora SMultiple organ failure and shock following acute alpha lipoic acid (ALA) intoxication.Clin Toxicol (Phila).(2019 Aug)
- ^Halabi Z, El Helou C, Al Balushi H, Gittinger M, Steck AR, Kaakour A, Abu-Alfa A, El Zahran TAlpha Lipoic Acid Toxicity: The First Reported Mortality in an Adult Patient After Multiorgan Failure.J Emerg Med.(2023 Feb)
- ^Tolunay O, Çelik T, Kömür M, Gezgin AE, Kaya MS, Çelik ÜA rare cause of status epilepticus; alpha lipoic acid intoxication, case report and review of the literature.Eur J Paediatr Neurol.(2015 Nov)
- ^Leysen J, Aerts OFurther evidence of thioctic acid (α-lipoic acid) being a strong cosmetic sensitizer.Contact Dermatitis.(2016 Mar)
- ^Velasco-Amador JP, Prados-Carmona Á, Navarro-Triviño FJContact urticaria syndrome caused by alpha-lipoic acid in a master formula for vulvar lichen sclerosus.Contact Dermatitis.(2023 Aug)
- ^Bergqvist-Karlsson A, Thelin I, Bergendorff OContact dermatitis to alpha-lipoic acid in an anti-wrinkle cream.Contact Dermatitis.(2006 Jul)
- ^Craig S, Urwin R, Wilkinson MContact allergy to thioctic acid present in Hypromellose(®) eye drops.Contact Dermatitis.(2017 Jun)
- ^Corazza M, Arlotti E, Schettini N, Pacetti L, Bianchi A, Borghi AAllergic contact dermatitis due to α-lipoic acid in a topical over-the-counter product: A case report.Contact Dermatitis.(2023 Oct)
- ^Ridruejo E, Castiglioni T, Silva MOThioctic acid-induced acute cholestatic hepatitis.Ann Pharmacother.(2011 Jul)
- ^D Ziegler, M Hanefeld, K J Ruhnau, H P Meissner, M Lobisch, K Schütte, F A GriesTreatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A 3-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study)Diabetologia.(1995 Dec)
- ^Ziegler D, Ametov A, Barinov A, Dyck PJ, Gurieva I, Low PA, Munzel U, Yakhno N, Raz I, Novosadova M, Maus J, Samigullin ROral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial.Diabetes Care.(2006 Nov)
- ^Tang J, Wingerchuk DM, Crum BA, Rubin DI, Demaerschalk BMAlpha-lipoic acid may improve symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy.Neurologist.(2007 May)
- ^Gerd Bobe, Alexander J Michels, Wei-Jian Zhang, Jonathan Q Purnell, Clive Woffendin, Cliff Pereira, Joseph A Vita, Nicholas O Thomas, Maret G Traber, Balz Frei, Tory M HagenA Randomized Controlled Trial of Long-Term (R)-α-Lipoic Acid Supplementation Promotes Weight Loss in Overweight or Obese Adults without Altering Baseline Elevated Plasma Triglyceride ConcentrationsJ Nutr.(2020 Sep 1)
- ^Sarezky D, Raquib AR, Dunaief JL, Kim BJTolerability in the elderly population of high-dose alpha lipoic acid: a potential antioxidant therapy for the eye.Clin Ophthalmol.(2016)
- ^Porasuphatana S, Suddee S, Nartnampong A, Konsil J, Harnwong B, Santaweesuk AGlycemic and oxidative status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus following oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled studyAsia Pac J Clin Nutr.(2012)
- ^Koh EH, Lee WJ, Lee SA, Kim EH, Cho EH, Jeong E, Kim DW, Kim MS, Park JY, Park KG, Lee HJ, Lee IK, Lim S, Jang HC, Lee KH, Lee KUEffects of alpha-lipoic Acid on body weight in obese subjectsAm J Med.(2011 Jan)
- ^Mollo R, Zaccardi F, Scalone G, Scavone G, Rizzo P, Navarese EP, Manto A, Pitocco D, Lanza GA, Ghirlanda G, Crea FEffect of α-lipoic acid on platelet reactivity in type 1 diabetic patients.Diabetes Care.(2012 Feb)
- ^Rahimlou M, Asadi M, Banaei Jahromi N, Mansoori AAlpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation effect on glycemic and inflammatory biomarkers: A Systematic Review and meta- analysis.Clin Nutr ESPEN.(2019 Aug)
- ^Maryam Akbari, Vahidreza Ostadmohammadi, Kamran B Lankarani, Reza Tabrizi, Fariba Kolahdooz, Seyed Reza Khatibi, Zatollah AsemiThe effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on glucose control and lipid profiles among patients with metabolic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsMetabolism.(2018 Oct)
- ^Parente E, Colannino G, Picconi O, Monastra GSafety of oral alpha-lipoic acid treatment in pregnant women: a retrospective observational study.Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2017 Sep)
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Vincent HK, Bourguignon CM, Vincent KR, Taylor AGEffects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in peripheral arterial disease: a pilot studyJ Altern Complement Med.(2007 Jun)
- Dementia Symptoms - Lott IT, Doran E, Nguyen VQ, Tournay A, Head E, Gillen DLDown syndrome and dementia: a randomized, controlled trial of antioxidant supplementationAm J Med Genet A.(2011 Aug)
- Inflammation - Bae SC, Jung WJ, Lee EJ, Yu R, Sung MKEffects of antioxidant supplements intervention on the level of plasma inflammatory molecules and disease severity of rheumatoid arthritis patientsJ Am Coll Nutr.(2009 Feb)
- LDL Oxidation - Andrea M McNeilly, Gareth W Davison, Marie H Murphy, Nida Nadeem, Tom Trinick, Ellie Duly, Anna Novials, Jane McEnenyEffect of α-lipoic acid and exercise training on cardiovascular disease risk in obesity with impaired glucose toleranceLipids Health Dis.(2011 Nov 22)
- Weight - M G Carbonelli, L Di Renzo, M Bigioni, N Di Daniele, A De Lorenzo, M A FuscoAlpha-lipoic acid supplementation: a tool for obesity therapy?Curr Pharm Des.(2010)
- Weight - Koh EH, Lee WJ, Lee SA, Kim EH, Cho EH, Jeong E, Kim DW, Kim MS, Park JY, Park KG, Lee HJ, Lee IK, Lim S, Jang HC, Lee KH, Lee KUEffects of alpha-lipoic Acid on body weight in obese subjectsAm J Med.(2011 Jan)
- Motion Sickness Symptoms - Baillie JK, Thompson AA, Irving JB, Bates MG, Sutherland AI, Macnee W, Maxwell SR, Webb DJOral antioxidant supplementation does not prevent acute mountain sickness: double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trialQJM.(2009 May)
- HbA1c - Coleman MD, Fernandes S, Khanderia LA preliminary evaluation of a novel method to monitor a triple antioxidant combination (vitamins E, C and α-lipoic acid) in diabetic volunteers using in vitro methaemoglobin formationEnviron Toxicol Pharmacol.(2003 Jun)
- HbA1c - Porasuphatana S, Suddee S, Nartnampong A, Konsil J, Harnwong B, Santaweesuk AGlycemic and oxidative status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus following oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled studyAsia Pac J Clin Nutr.(2012)
- Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - P Palacka, J Kucharska, J Murin, K Dostalova, A Okkelova, M Cizova, I Waczulikova, S Moricova, A GvozdjakovaComplementary therapy in diabetic patients with chronic complications: a pilot studyBratisl Lek Listy.(2010)
- Glycemic Control - de Oliveira AM, Rondó PH, Luzia LA, D'Abronzo FH, Illison VKThe effects of lipoic acid and α-tocopherol supplementation on the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialDiabetes Res Clin Pract.(2011 May)
- Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile - Martins VD, Manfredini V, Peralba MC, Benfato MSAlpha-lipoic acid modifies oxidative stress parameters in sickle cell trait subjects and sickle cell patientsClin Nutr.(2009 Apr)
- Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - Jariwalla RJ, Lalezari J, Cenko D, Mansour SE, Kumar A, Gangapurkar B, Nakamura DRestoration of blood total glutathione status and lymphocyte function following alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in patients with HIV infectionJ Altern Complement Med.(2008 Mar)
- Blood Pressure - Sharman JE, Gunaruwan P, Knez WL, Schmitt M, Marsh SA, Wilson GR, Cockcroft JR, Coombes JSAlpha-lipoic acid does not acutely affect resistance and conduit artery function or oxidative stress in healthy menBr J Clin Pharmacol.(2004 Sep)
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Khabbazi T, Mahdavi R, Safa J, Pour-Abdollahi PEffects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Serum Lipid Profile Levels in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on HemodialysisJ Ren Nutr.(2011 Sep 10)
- Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - G D X, J H P, H L S, L S ZAlpha-lipoic acid improves endothelial dysfunction in patients with subclinical hypothyroidismExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes.(2010 Oct)
- Inflammation - Sola S, Mir MQ, Cheema FA, Khan-Merchant N, Menon RG, Parthasarathy S, Khan BVIrbesartan and lipoic acid improve endothelial function and reduce markers of inflammation in the metabolic syndrome: results of the Irbesartan and Lipoic Acid in Endothelial Dysfunction (ISLAND) studyCirculation.(2005 Jan 25)
- Blood Pressure - Wray DW, Uberoi A, Lawrenson L, Bailey DM, Richardson RSOral antioxidants and cardiovascular health in the exercise-trained and untrained elderly: a radically different outcomeClin Sci (Lond).(2009 Mar)
- Blood Pressure - Weiss C, Bierhaus A, Nawroth PP, Bärtsch PEffects of supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid on exercise-induced activation of coagulationMetabolism.(2005 Jun)
- Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms - Ziegler D, Low PA, Litchy WJ, Boulton AJ, Vinik AI, Freeman R, Samigullin R, Tritschler H, Munzel U, Maus J, Schütte K, Dyck PJEfficacy and safety of antioxidant treatment with α-lipoic acid over 4 years in diabetic polyneuropathy: the NATHAN 1 trialDiabetes Care.(2011 Sep)
- Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms - Foster TSEfficacy and safety of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in the treatment of symptomatic diabetic neuropathyDiabetes Educ.(2007 Jan-Feb)
- Blood Flow - Heinisch BB, Francesconi M, Mittermayer F, Schaller G, Gouya G, Wolzt M, Pleiner JAlpha-lipoic acid improves vascular endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes: a placebo-controlled randomized trialEur J Clin Invest.(2010 Feb)
- Muscle Creatine Content - Darren G Burke, Philip D Chilibeck, Gianni Parise, Mark A Tarnopolsky, Darren G CandowEffect of alpha-lipoic acid combined with creatine monohydrate on human skeletal muscle creatine and phosphagen concentrationInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab.(2003 Sep)
- Nerve Repair - Ranieri M, Sciuscio M, Cortese AM, Santamato A, Di Teo L, Ianieri G, Bellomo RG, Stasi M, Megna MThe use of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and rehabilitation in the treatment of back pain: effect on health-related quality of lifeInt J Immunopathol Pharmacol.(2009 Jul-Sep)
- Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - Zembron-Lacny A, Slowinska-Lisowska M, Szygula Z, Witkowski K, Stefaniak T, Dziubek WAssessment of the antioxidant effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in healthy men exposed to muscle-damaging exerciseJ Physiol Pharmacol.(2009 Jun)