If you want to boost your brain power and improve your memory, look no further than alpha lipoic acid. This powerful antioxidant can help slow down the aging process of all parts of our body and keep us looking and feeling younger.
Alpha lipoic acid is a naturally occurring organic cellular compound produced by the body in small quantities. It is also found in red meats, organ meats, broccoli, and spinach. Natural Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) also reduces with age, thus the importance of its availability as a dietary supplement. It is both water- and fat-soluble, which allows it to work in every cell or tissue in the body. Meanwhile, most other antioxidants are either water- or fat-soluble.
When taken as a supplement, it enters the bloodstream through the small intestine, where it is broken down into smaller components that can cross the blood-brain barrier. Once in the brain, these components work as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals before they can damage cells.
As you can see, ALA is an important supplement, and there are multiple types of alpha lipoic acids on the market – each one may have unique benefits based on how it's processed or what other ingredients are included. So, consumers need to read labels carefully to know exactly what they're getting when purchasing an alpha lipoic acid supplement.
How We Choose
We believe the best alpha lipoic acid supplement should contain high-quality ingredients at an affordable price. In addition, it should be manufactured by a trusted company in a GMP-certified facility and free from harmful impurities.
With these factors in mind, we've gathered a list of five excellent options for you to consider. We've reviewed each one carefully to ensure they meet our high standards—so you can feel confident about your purchase decision.
Alpha Lipoic Acid By Pure Encapsulations
For Liver Support, Nerve and Cardiovascular Health, Fighting Free Radicals, and Carbohydrate Support
As one of the most popular dietary supplements in the world, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes harmful free radicals and enhances the activity of vitamins C and E. It’s made inside the mitochondrion, which helps enzymes turn nutrients into energy. ALA has antioxidant properties that help protect cells against damage caused by free radicals. It has also been shown to promote healthy blood flow and reduce inflammation throughout your whole body.
In addition, Alpha Lipoic Acid, because of its dual solubility (soluble in both water and lipids), has many benefits. It's even been shown to help reduce blood sugars and can benefit diabetics. So, to support overall health, it's hard to beat the benefits of Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid. At 600 mg per serving per day, it is the ideal dosage that is most commonly recommended.
Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplement contains no fillers or unnecessary ingredients and comes in easy-to-swallow vegetarian and vegan capsules at 60 servings per bottle. It is gluten, soy, dairy-free, and non-GMO. It does carry the highest cost per capsule, but we believe it is well worth the price. It also comes in a lower dose at 200 mg per serving as an alternative and at lower costs.
Alpha Lipoic Acid By Thorne Research
Thorne Research is a company that's been around for 30 years, and the quality of its products reflects that. This one is no exception; it contains ingredients from the purest sources worldwide, and you can be confident it doesn't contain gluten, GMOs, or artificial preservatives.
Thorne Research has been committed to ethical sourcing since day one – meaning that all of its raw materials are ethically sourced from organic farms or regulated GM-free zones when possible, and, of course, this product is no exception.
Thorne's Alpha Lipoic Acid 300 mg product comes with 60 vegetarian capsules per bottle (you take one per day), each containing pure Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) powder - an excellent antioxidant. ALA is also known to support liver health, and it has important nerve protective effects that help maintain mental sharpness. All in all, it's another great choice and well worth your serious consideration.
Extra Strength Alpha Lipoic Acid By NOW Foods
NOW has an impressive array of credentials for a supplement. Its Alpha Lipoic Acid 600 mg product, with Grape Seed Extract and Bioperine, has been recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has deemed it GRAS (generally recognized as safe). Their NPA A-rated GMP certification means that every aspect of the NOW manufacturing process has been examined, including their laboratory/testing methods (for stability, potency, and product formulation).
So, with the Grape Seed Extract and BioPerine, this Alpha Lipoic Acid is an excellent antioxidant and supports heart health, metabolism, cellular detoxification, and more. It also helps recycle vitamins C and E, enhancing their antioxidant activity. These whole-body benefits are supported by research, which also found that ALA helped reverse mental decline in elderly patients.
The only downside to NOW Supplements Alpha Lipoic Acid 600 mg with Grape Seed Extract & BioPerine Extra Strength is that its capsules tend to get soft and start to melt at 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so they do need to be stored in a cool place. So, Another excellent product for your consideration.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid 600 By Doctor's Best
The Doctor's Best Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a potent and effective supplement. It contains 600 mg per serving, a good amount of active ingredient. This means that this product can potentially give you some profound health benefits.
The Doctor's Best Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) contains lipoic acid, which, as you know by now, is an antioxidant that can help support your body's defense against free radicals. By supporting your body this way, you'll allow it to maintain optimum health and well-being over time.
One key benefit of the Doctor's Best Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is its ability to support glucose metabolism, which will help with energy production in the body and ensure that all systems are running at their peak efficiency. The use of ALA as part of a healthy lifestyle can also play an important role in preventing age-related diseases such as diabetes or heart disease in later life, making this a powerful supplement indeed!
Alpha Lipoic Acid By Nutricost
Alpha Lipoic Acid is a supplement that can be taken by people of all ages, regardless of their medical history. It's also suitable for vegetarians and vegans. That's why it has become so popular in recent years.
Alpha Lipoic Acid works by improving your mitochondria – vital to energy production and cell repair – while reducing inflammation within your cells and tissues. This helps improve physical performance as well as increase mental clarity and focus. If you have any pre-existing health conditions or are taking other supplements (especially those with caffeine), we recommend speaking to your doctor before using Alpha Lipoic Acid. Remember, just because it's safe doesn't mean it's without risks or side effects!
This product contains 600mg per serving, which is ideal and more than you might find in other products. Another huge benefit is its price. At around eight to ten cents per capsule, it certainly is inexpensive compared to the others we reviewed here - but if you're looking for a no-nonsense option that offers high-quality ingredients at an affordable price, then this is the best Alpha Lipoic Acid product you can buy right now.
Best ALPHA LIPOIC ACID Supplement FAQs
People want to know the best ALPHA LIPOIC ACID supplements, but finding reliable answers can be hard.
There are a lot of different brands and products out there, and we're sure you have questions about which ones will work best for you.
We've compiled this list of Frequently Asked Questions about ALPHA LIPOIC ACID supplements so you can make an informed purchase.
What Is Alpha-lipoic Acid Useful For?
Alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals. This helps to protect your body's cells from oxidative damage, which can lead to conditions like Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. Research suggests that alpha-lipoic acid may also help to improve memory and learning ability.
Studies have shown that supplementing with alpha-lipoic acid may benefit people who have insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels. Alpha-lipoic acid has also been studied as a possible treatment for other conditions such as gout, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, and neuropathy (nerve pain). However, further research is needed to determine whether alpha-lipoic acid can be beneficial in these instances.
What Are The Dangers Of Alpha-lipoic Acid?
Alpha-lipoic acid is considered safe and effective when taken at recommended doses. There are very few side effects, but they may include: nausea and or diarrhea. Dizziness (more common in people with low blood pressure) has also been shown as a side effect.
Some research also suggests that alpha-lipoic acid can reduce the effectiveness of some medications, so talk to your doctor if you're taking any medications. Finally, don't take too much alpha-lipoic acid. The maximum dosage recommendation is 900 milligrams per day; higher doses have the potential for causing liver damage.
Who Should Not Take Alpha-lipoic Acid?
Alpha-lipoic acid is generally considered safe and well-tolerated by most people, but there are some caveats.
You should avoid alpha-lipoic acid if you're allergic to it. Keep in mind that this could be an issue even if you've never taken the supplement before because many companies add fillers or excipients such as cornstarch or pregelatinized starch to their products. Alpha-lipoic acid may also not be suitable for certain medical conditions, so talk to your doctor first if you have any of the following: epilepsy, a history of alcoholism or substance abuse, bleeding disorders, high blood pressure, organ transplants (especially kidney transplants), liver disease (including cirrhosis), pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Is Alpha-lipoic Acid Hard On Kidneys?
Animal studies have shown that alpha-lipoic acid can damage the kidneys, and it's not recommended for people with kidney disease. However, no studies have been done in humans to determine if alpha-lipoic acid has the same effect on human kidneys. Some people who take too much alpha-lipoic acid over a long period of time may experience some mild side effects including headaches, joint pain, and fatigue. These symptoms are usually mild and go away once you stop taking the supplement. If you do find that alpha-lipoic acid gives you any kind of side effects, or if you're concerned about your kidney health, talk to your doctor about alternative ways to get this nutrient into your system.
How Long Does It Take For Alpha-lipoic Acid To Help Neuropathy?
It is generally agreed upon that alpha-lipoic acid works best to alleviate the symptoms of neuropathy when taken over long periods of time. In fact, many studies have shown that it may take anywhere from three months to a year before you begin to notice any substantial improvement in your symptoms. It's important to note, however, that not everyone will experience relief with this type of treatment and some people may need higher doses or more frequent doses than others.
Does Alpha-lipoic Acid Heal Nerves?
Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant and may help protect nerves from damage. In animal studies, alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to improve nerve function after injury. Still, no human studies show that it can heal damaged nerves or prevent nerve damage from diseases such as diabetes.
Many people take alpha-lipoic acid to treat diabetic neuropathy, which can occur when high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in the body, especially in the extremities. Animal studies have shown that alpha-lipoic acid may stop this type of nerve damage and improve numbness, pain, and weakness symptoms.
Currently, there is not enough evidence to say for sure whether alpha-lipoic acid is helpful or harmful for people with diabetes who have neuropathy. If you have this condition, talk with your doctor before supplementing with alpha-lipoic acid.
Can I Take Vitamin D With Alpha-lipoic Acid?
Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and reduces the amount of calcium excreted in urine. Alpha-lipoic acid is a type of vitamin that also increases your body's ability to absorb and use calcium.
There haven't been any studies done on whether alpha-lipoic acid supplements can interfere with vitamin D, however, so it's not clear if these two vitamins are safe to take together or if they offer any additional benefits compared to taking either one alone.
It's possible that taking too much alpha-lipoic acid could affect your blood sugar levels, so talk to your doctor if you're thinking about including this supplement in your routine along with vitamin D. If you have diabetes and take medication for it, don't suddenly stop without first talking with your healthcare provider since doing so could be dangerous.
Can I Take Alpha-lipoic Acid Every Day?
Alpha-lipoic acid is generally considered safe and non-toxic. However, high doses can cause nausea and upset stomach in some people. It's best to start with a low dosage of about 300mg daily, taken with meals. If you don't experience any side effects at this dosage, it's fine to increase the dose up to 900mg per day (divided into three equal doses).
Alpha-lipoic acid may interact with certain medications, so it's important to talk to your doctor before taking it if you're on prescription drugs. For example, alpha-lipoic acid can lower blood sugar levels so that it may interact with insulin or other diabetes medications. It could also interfere with seizure medicines and birth control pills, so be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you're taking before starting alpha-lipoic acid supplements.
When Is The Best Time Of Day To Take Alpha-lipoic Acid?
Alpha-lipoic acid's effects peak about two hours after you take it, so taking it twice a day may be best. Taking alpha-lipoic acid with meals may help reduce symptoms of nerve pain because it is absorbed into the nerve cells and mitochondria more easily when there is increased blood flow to the area.
Some people find that taking alpha-lipoic acid at night works well for them because they experience fewer side effects compared to those who take it in the morning. If you do feel any side effects from alpha-lipoic acid including nausea, dizziness, or sleepiness, try taking smaller doses throughout the day or switching to another time of day as directed by your doctor.
Is Alpha-lipoic Acid A Good Anti Inflammatory?
Alpha-lipoic acid is a precursor to acetyl-CoA, which creates many compounds (including energy). In addition, ALA has antioxidant properties. Alpha-lipoic acid is an anti-inflammatory due to its ability to help produce and regulate inflammation-related substances, including prostaglandins.
Researchers have found that alpha lipoic acid may be effective at reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis when taken alongside regular medications. It may also reduce pain in people with osteoarthritis and improve mobility for those with inflammatory polyneuropathy.
Conclusion
Alpha lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant with many health benefits. Studies have shown that it may help fight inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and even improve insulin sensitivity. It also appears to protect against chronic diseases like diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Alpha lipoic acid is an exceptionally versatile nutrient; being both water and fat-soluble, it can function in almost any body part. It is manufactured in the body, but often not in the amounts necessary to perform as many functions as gained with supplementation. As mentioned above, Alpha lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes harmful free radicals and enhances the activity of both vitamins C and E.
So, if you want to take an Alpha Lipoic Acid supplement for its potential health benefits, do your research first and find one thoroughly tested for quality and safety. Then you can enjoy its many benefits.
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Thanks, and we hope this article has helped you decide about this fantastic supplement!
*We are not qualified medical advisors. The content here is based only on our personal opinions and research and should NOT be used as a substitute for a healthcare professional's advice!
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