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IN STOCK - YES
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Alpha Lipoic Acid
What Is Alpha Lipoic Acid?
Alpha-lipoic acid (also called lipoic acid or thioctic acid) is a sulfur-containing substance that is readily converted to and from its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid acts as a coenzyme in reactions that occur in the Krebs cycle; specifically it is involved in the decarboxylation of pyruvate and some other alpha-keto acids.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant able to deactivate both fat- and water-soluble free radicals and thereby protect both lipoproteins and membranes. No other single antioxidant can do this, making alpha-lipoic acid the premier antioxidant.
Who Should Consider Alpha Lipoic Acid?
Your body does in fact manufacture Alpha Lipoic Acid, but supplementing it may provide benefits beyond its involvement in carbohydrate metabolism. For example, Alpha Lipoic Acid is able to deactivate both fat and water soluble free radicals and thereby protect both lipoproteins and membranes; no other single antioxidant can do this.
Related Articles
The Antioxidant Power of Alpha Lipoic Acid:
Take a look at this list of fat and water soluble reactive oxygen species (ROS) ("ROS" is an umbrella term that includes both radicals and other chemicals that, while not technically radicals, are damaging to the body):
- Hydrogen atom
- Peroxyl
- Peroxynitrate
- Hydroxyl
- Alkoxyl
- Superoxide anion
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- Semiquinone
- Trichloromethyl
- Nitric oxide
- Singlet oxygen
- Hydrogen peroxide
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Note that the last two are not radicals, that is, they do not have an unpaired electron, yet they are Reactive Oxygen Species. Alpha Lipoic Acid "quenches" the oxygen singlet, hydroxyl, and superoxide species, while its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid, stabilizes the peroxyl and peroxynitrate radicals. Both forms (initial and reduced) regenerate through redox cycling other antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E, and increase intracellular glutathione levels.1 Please see our selenium page for more on glutathione. The hydroxyl radical is considered to be the most damaging; peroxynitrate is perhaps a close second. Lipoprotein peroxidation is important to stop because this is the reaction that leads to such undesirable health problems as atherosclerosis.
Side Effects
It is not recommended to take Alpha-Lipoic Acid manufactured in a two-part hard-shell gelatin or vegicap. There is a chance, albeit small, that a two-part capsule will open when being swallowed; the contents can burn the esophagus. To reduce this risk, we offer coated tablets and sealed softgel capsules. Although a bit more expensive, these are better forms for this product. Do not cut open the softgel capsules thinking it will be easier to swallow the contents alone. Also, if you have two-part hard-shell capsules from another manufacturer, do not open them. Our tablets are small and easy to swallow.
Label Facts
Alpha Lipoic Acid, 100mg (60 softgels)
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Supplement Facts Serving Size: 1 Softgel Servings per container: 60 |
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Amount Per Serving |
% Daily Value |
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| Total Calories |
2 |
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| Total Fat |
140 mg |
<1%* |
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| Saturated Fat |
48 mg |
<1%* |
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| Unsaturated Fat |
92 mg |
† |
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| Monounsaturated Fat |
34 mg |
† |
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| Polyunsaturated Fat |
58 mg |
† |
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| Total Carbohydrate |
66 mg |
<1%* |
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| Protein |
118 mg |
<1%* |
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| Cholesterol |
0 mg |
<1%* |
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| Alpha Lipoic Acid |
100 mg |
† |
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 Other ingredients: Soybean oil, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, carob extract, yellow beeswax, lecithin, titanium dioxide.  |
Dietary Restrictions
Gelatin capsule used with a vegetarian formula.
Alpha Lipoic Acid, 200mg (90 tablets)
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Supplement Facts Serving Size: 1 tablet Servings per container: 90 |
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Amount Per Serving |
% Daily Value |
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| Calcium (from dicalcium phosphate) |
30 mg |
3% |
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| Alpha Lipoic Acid |
200 mg |
† |
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 Other ingredients: Cellulose (plant fiber), magnesium stearate (vegetable source), and stearic acid (vegetable source).  |
Dietary Restrictions
This is a vegetarian product.
Alpha Lipoic Acid, 200mg (twinpack, 180 tablets)
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Supplement Facts Serving Size: 1 tablet Servings per container: 180 |
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Amount Per Serving |
% Daily Value |
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| Calcium (from dicalcium phosphate) |
30 mg |
3% |
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| Alpha Lipoic Acid |
200 mg |
† |
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 Other ingredients: Cellulose (plant fiber), magnesium stearate (vegetable source), and stearic acid (vegetable source).  |
Dietary Restrictions
This is a vegetarian product.
VitaBev™ The Better All-in-One Supplement (Lemon-Lime Flavor), 30 packets
SUGGESTED USE: As a dietary supplement, adults take one packet daily, or as directed by a health care practitioner. Mix the contents of one packet with 4 to 6 ounces of cool water or juice. Stir and drink immediately. Adjust flavor by using more or less water or juice.
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Supplement Facts Serving Size: 1 Packet Servings per container: 30 |
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Amount Per Serving |
% Daily Value |
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| Calories |
21 |
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| Calories from Fat |
1 |
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| Total Carbohydrate |
5 g |
2%* |
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| Sugars |
4 g |
† |
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| Fiber |
1 g |
4%* |
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| Vitamin A (as Natural Beta-Carotene) |
1000 IU |
20% |
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| Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, and Magnesium Ascorbate) |
565 mg |
942% |
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| Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) |
400 IU |
100% |
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| Vitamin E (D-Alpha Tocopherol Succinate) |
30 IU |
100% |
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| Vitamin K2 (Menoquinine) |
20 mcg |
25% |
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| Thiamin |
2 mg |
133% |
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| Riboflavin |
2 mg |
118% |
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| Niacin (as Niacinamide) |
10 mg |
50% |
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| Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine) |
10 mg |
500% |
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| Folate (as Folic Acid) |
400 mcg |
100% |
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| Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin) |
10 mcg |
167% |
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| Biotin |
100 mcg |
33% |
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| Pantothenic Acid (as Calcium Pantothenate) |
10 mg |
100% |
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| Calcium (as Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Ascorbate) |
46 mg |
5% |
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| Magnesium (as Magnesium Carbonate and Magnesium Ascorbate) |
100 mg |
25% |
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| Zinc (as Zinc Picolinate) |
5 mg |
33% |
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| Selenium (as Sodium Selenite) |
50 mcg |
71% |
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| Copper (as Copper Gluconate) |
1 mg |
50% |
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| Manganese (as Manganese Gluconate) |
1.5 mg |
75% |
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| Chromium (as Chromemate® Chromium Nicotinate) |
100 mcg |
83% |
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| Sodium (as Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate and Sodium Selenite) |
192 mg |
8% |
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| Potassium (as Potassium Bicarbonate) |
289 mg |
8% |
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| L-Glycine |
250 mg |
† |
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| Alpha-Linolenic Acid (as Benexia® Chia Seed Oil) |
100 mg |
† |
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| Alpha-Lipoic Acid |
100 mg |
† |
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| CoEnzyme Q10 |
100 mg |
† |
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| Citrus Bioflavonoid |
100 mg |
† |
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| L-Carnitine Fumarate |
50 mg |
† |
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| N-Acetyl Cysteine |
50 mg |
† |
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| Resveratrol |
50 mg |
† |
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| Choline (as Choline Bitartrate) |
18 mg |
† |
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| Boron (as Boron Citrate) |
500 mcg |
† |
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 Other ingredients: Fructose, soluble corn fiber (Fibersol®-2), citric acid, natural flavors, silicon dioxide, xanthan gum, natural color, stevia.  |
Dietary Restrictions
This is a vegetarian product.
VitaBev™ The Better All-in-One Supplement (Mixed Fruit Flavor), 30 packets
SUGGESTED USE: As a dietary supplement, adults take one packet daily, or as directed by a health care practitioner. Mix the contents of one packet with 4 to 6 ounces of cool water or juice. Stir and drink immediately. Adjust flavor by using more or less water or juice.
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Supplement Facts Serving Size: 1 Packet Servings per container: 30 |
 |
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Amount Per Serving |
% Daily Value |
 |
| Total Calories |
21 |
|
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| Calories from Fat |
1 |
|
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| Total Carbohydrate |
5 g |
2%* |
 |
| Sugars |
4 g |
† |
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| Fiber |
1 g |
4%* |
 |
| Vitamin A (as Natural Beta-Carotene) |
1000 IU |
20% |
 |
| Vitamin C (from Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, and Magnesium Ascorbate) |
565 mg |
942% |
 |
| Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) |
400 IU |
100% |
 |
| Vitamin E (D-Alpha Tocopherol Succinate) |
30 IU |
100% |
 |
| Vitamin K2 (Menoquinine) |
20 mcg |
25% |
 |
| Thiamin |
2 mg |
133% |
 |
| Riboflavin |
2 mg |
118% |
 |
| Niacin (as Niacinamide) |
10 mg |
50% |
 |
| Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine) |
10 mg |
500% |
 |
| Folate (as Folic Acid) |
400 mcg |
100% |
 |
| Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin) |
10 mcg |
167% |
 |
| Biotin |
100 mcg |
33% |
 |
| Pantothenic Acid (as Calcium Pantothenate) |
10 mg |
100% |
 |
| Calcium (as Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Ascorbate) |
46 mg |
5% |
 |
| Magnesium (as Magnesium Carbonate and Magnesium Ascorbate) |
100 mg |
25% |
 |
| Zinc (as Zinc Picolinate) |
5 mg |
33% |
 |
| Selenium (as Sodium Selenite) |
50 mcg |
71% |
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| Copper (as Copper Gluconate) |
1 mg |
50% |
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| Manganese (as Manganese Gluconate) |
1.5 mg |
75% |
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| Chromium (as Chromemate® Chromium Nicotinate) |
100 mcg |
83% |
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| Sodium (as Sodium Chloride and Sodium Selenite) |
132 mg |
6% |
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| Potassium (as Potassium Bicarbonate) |
289 mg |
8% |
 |
| L-Glycine |
250 mg |
† |
 |
| Alpha-Linolenic Acid (as Benexia® Chia Seed Oil) |
100 mg |
† |
 |
| Alpha-Lipoic Acid |
100 mg |
† |
 |
| CoEnzyme Q10 |
100 mg |
† |
 |
| Citrus Bioflavonoid |
100 mg |
† |
 |
| L-Carnitine Fumarate |
50 mg |
† |
 |
| N-Acetyl Cysteine |
50 mg |
† |
 |
| Resveratrol |
50 mg |
† |
 |
| Choline (as Choline Bitartrate) |
18 mg |
† |
 |
| Boron (as Boron Citrate) |
500 mcg |
† |
 |
|
 |
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 |
 Other ingredients: Fructose, soluble corn fiber (Fibersol®-2), citric acid, natural flavors, silicon dioxide, natural color, xanthan gum, stevia.  |
Dietary Restrictions
This is a vegetarian product.
References
Alpha Lipoic Acid References / Additional Resources
- Packer L Tritschler HJ Wessel K, Neuroprotection by the metabolic antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. Free-Radic-Biol-Med. 1997; 22(1-2): 359-78 1997 0891-5849.
- Jacob S Streeper RS Fogt DL Hokama JY Tritschler HJ Dietze GJ Henriksen EJ, The antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid enhances insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism in insulin-resistant rat skeletal muscle. Diabetes. 1996 Aug; 45(8): 1024-9 1996 0012-1797.
- Murray, Michael, ND, Pizzorno, Joseph, ND. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, second ed. Prima Publishing, Rocklin. 1998.
- Merin JP Matsuyama M Kira T Baba M Okamoto T, Alpha-lipoic acid blocks HIV-1 LTR-dependent expression of hygromycin resistance in THP-1 stable transformants. FEBS-Lett. 1996 Sep 23; 394(1): 9-13 1996 0014-5793.
- Grieb G, [Alpha-lipoic acid inhibits HIV replication]. Med Monatsschr Pharm 1992 Aug;15(8):243-4. (Article in German).
Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials
- Bailey, D. M. and B. Davies (2001). "Acute mountain sickness; prophylactic benefits of antioxidant vitamin supplementation at high altitude." High Alt Med Biol 2(1): 21-9.
- Dietrich, M., G. Block, M. Hudes, J. D. Morrow, E. P. Norkus, M. G. Traber, C. E. Cross and L. Packer (2002). "Antioxidant supplementation decreases lipid peroxidation biomarker F(2)- isoprostanes in plasma of smokers." Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 11(1): 7-13.
- Reljanovic, M., G. Reichel, K. Rett, M. Lobisch, K. Schuette, W. Moller, H. J. Tritschler and H. Mehnert (1999). "Treatment 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 31(3): 171-9.
- Ruhnau, K. J., H. P. Meissner, J. R. Finn, M. Reljanovic, M. Lobisch, K. Schutte, D. Nehrdich, H. J. Tritschler, H. Mehnert and D. Ziegler (1999). "Effects of 3-week oral treatment with the antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid) in symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy." Diabet Med 16(12): 1040-3.
- Sachse, G. and B. Willms (1980). "Efficacy of thioctic acid in the therapy of peripheral diabetic neuropathy." Horm Metab Res Suppl 9: 105-7.
- Strokov, I. A., N. A. Kozlova, V. Mozolevskii Iu, S. P. Miasoedov and N. N. Iakhno (1999). "[The efficacy of the intravenous administration of the trometamol salt of thioctic (alpha-lipoic) acid in diabetic neuropathy]." Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 99(6): 18-22.
- Ziegler, D. and F. A. Gries (1997). "Alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of diabetic peripheral and cardiac autonomic neuropathy." Diabetes 46 Suppl 2: S62-6.
- Ziegler, D., M. Hanefeld, K. J. Ruhnau, H. P. Meissner, M. Lobisch, K. Schutte and F. A. Gries (1995). "Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the anti- oxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A 3-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study)." Diabetologia 38(12): 1425-33.
- Ziegler, D., H. Schatz, F. Conrad, F. A. Gries, H. Ulrich and G. Reichel (1997). "Effects of treatment with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid on cardiac autonomic neuropathy in NIDDM patients. A 4-month randomized controlled multicenter trial (DEKAN Study). Deutsche Kardiale Autonome Neuropathie." Diabetes Care 20(3): 369-73.
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