Alpha lipoic acid is a nutrient that is naturally made by your body, and it has antioxidant properties. This means it fights free radicals that may have a hand in causing disease. This nutrient is not the same as alpha linolenic acid, which is a fish oil recommended in the fight against heart disease. Alpha lipoic acid is safe for consumption by healthy people. There are very few side effects, but you should always check with your doctor first.
Uses
Alpha lipoic acid has many uses, but studies have focused on its use as a treatment for diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy is a condition that causes numbness and tingling in the extremities due to nerve damage. A study showed that intravenous administration caused a reduction of symptoms, but studies into the oral use of alpha lipoic acid for neuropathy are disappointing, according to New York University Langone Medical Center. It can also lower blood sugar levels, and this may help with neuropathy. Some other conditions that are studied include liver disease, dementia and glaucoma, but more studies are needed into these areas. There are no studies into its antioxidant properties.
Dangers
Most sources agree that alpha lipoic acid is a safe supplement, so a healthy person could take it as an antioxidant. It is a special type of antioxidant because it is both fat and water soluble and can work throughout the body. Since it has an affect on blood sugar, you should take precautions if you are on diabetic medications. Also, people with vitamin B-1 or thiamine deficiency should use caution. If you are on thyroid medications, have your levels monitored because this supplement can lower your levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other side effects include allergic reactions such as a skin rash and gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Dosages
The dosages for alpha lipoic acid depend on the reason you are using it. For the complications of diabetes, 100 to 200 mg three times per day for several weeks were used in studies, according to New York University Langone Medical Center. For antioxidant usage, 20 to 50 mg per day is a recommended dosage. However, there are no studies supporting this dosage as helpful in any way. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends 200 to 400 mg of racemic, or 50/50 mixture of R-la and S-la, lipoic acid per day for healthy people.
Sources
Alpha lipoic acid is present in some foods. The body usually makes enough of this nutrient, but it is found in red meats, organ meats such as liver and Brewer's yeast. Spinach and broccoli are two plant sources, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Tomatoes, peas and Brussels sprouts have lower amounts of alpha lipoic acid, but can help if you are looking for foods high in antioxidants. To combat disease, you will need to take a supplement, but take the supplement on an empty stomach because food interferes with the supplement's absorption.
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