Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Antioxidant ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Unique antioxidant that works in both water and fat environments. Regenerates other antioxidants (vitamins C, E, glutathione, CoQ10). Powerful support for blood sugar and nerve health.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant most often used for blood sugar support, nerve health, antioxidant regeneration. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 300–600 mg daily, commonly taken as r-lipoic acid (r-ala, the bioactive enantiomer) or stabilized na-r-ala. This profile indexes 18 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: blood sugar support, nerve health, antioxidant regeneration. 18 sources indexed (1995–2024), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Cofactor for mitochondrial dehydrogenase complexes (pyruvate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase). Potent metal chelator. Regenerates glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E, and CoQ10. Activates AMPK (improves glucose uptake). Scavenges ROS in both aqueous and lipid compartments.1,2
Dosing & protocol.
Take on empty stomach 30 min before meals; food reduces absorption by 30%9,1
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Alpha-Lipoic Acid.
Assumes about 300-600 mg/day. R-lipoic and stabilized specialty formats account for most premium pricing. Updated 2026-04-02.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
A food-only match for common supplemental doses is not realistic.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- GI upset
- Skin rash
- Hypoglycemia (monitor blood sugar)
- Biotin depletion (supplement B7)
Contraindications
- Diabetes medications (may potentiate)3
- Thyroid medications
- Thiamine deficiency
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
14- 1Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation and Iron Homeostasis: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical TrialsPMIDSharifi-Zahabi E, Abdollahzad H · International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition · 2024
Sharifi-Zahabi E, Abdollahzad H. Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation and Iron Homeostasis: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition. 2024
- 2Effects of Oral Alpha-Lipoic Acid Treatment on Diabetic Polyneuropathy: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic ReviewPMIDVeloso AI et al. · J Diabetes Res · 2023
Meta-analysis showed ALA reduced total symptom scores by -2.26 in diabetic neuropathy, with both oral and IV administration showing significant improvements.
- 3Effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in patients with neuropathic pain associated with type I and type II diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDOrellana-Donoso M, López-Chaparro M, Barahona-Vásquez M et al. · Medicine (Baltimore) · 2023
Alpha-lipoic acid demonstrated significant effectiveness in reducing neuropathic pain scores in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients compared to placebo in pooled analysis.
- 4Micronutrient Supplementation to Reduce Cardiovascular RiskPMIDAn P, Wan S, Luo Y, Luo J et al. · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · 2022
Among various micronutrients evaluated, alpha-lipoic acid was associated with reduced cardiovascular risk markers in this comprehensive systematic review of micronutrient supplementation trials.
- 5Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in the Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy: A Systematic ReviewPMIDAbubaker SA, Alonazy AM, Abdulrahman A · Cureus · 2022
Abubaker SA, Alonazy AM, Abdulrahman A. Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in the Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2022
- 6Effect of oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on sperm parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDDong L, Yang F, Li J et al. · Basic and clinical andrology · 2022
Dong L, Yang F, Li J et al.. Effect of oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on sperm parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Basic and clinical andrology. 2022
- 7The role of alpha lipoic acid in female and male infertility: a systematic reviewPMIDDi Tucci C, Galati G, Mattei G et al. · Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology · 2021
Di Tucci C, Galati G, Mattei G et al.. The role of alpha lipoic acid in female and male infertility: a systematic review. Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology. 2021
- 8The radioprotective effects of alpha-lipoic acid on radiotherapy-induced toxicities: A systematic reviewPMIDSheikholeslami S, Khodaverdian S, Dorri-Giv M et al. · International immunopharmacology · 2021
Sheikholeslami S, Khodaverdian S, Dorri-Giv M et al.. The radioprotective effects of alpha-lipoic acid on radiotherapy-induced toxicities: A systematic review. International immunopharmacology. 2021
- 9Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation significantly reduces the risk of obesity in an updated systematic review and dose response meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled clinical trialsPMIDVajdi M et al. · Int J Clin Pract · 2020
ALA reduced BMI by 0.38 kg/m2 and body weight by 0.69 kg; linear dose-response at supplementation >600 mg/day.
- 10Evaluating the Lipid-Lowering Effects of α-lipoic Acid Supplementation: A Systematic ReviewPMIDErickson N, Zafron M, Harding SV et al. · Journal of dietary supplements · 2020
Erickson N, Zafron M, Harding SV et al.. Evaluating the Lipid-Lowering Effects of α-lipoic Acid Supplementation: A Systematic Review. Journal of dietary supplements. 2020
- 11Alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders: a systematic reviewPMIDde Sousa CNS, da Silva Leite CMG, da Silva Medeiros I et al. · Metabolic brain disease · 2019
de Sousa CNS, da Silva Leite CMG, da Silva Medeiros I et al.. Alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders: a systematic review. Metabolic brain disease. 2019
- 12The 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 trialsPMIDAkbari M et al. · Metabolism · 2018
ALA administration improved glucose homeostasis parameters and lipid profiles in patients with metabolic diseases.
- 13Alpha-lipoic acid supplement in obesity treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trialsPMIDNamazi N, Larijani B, Azadbakht L · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) · 2018
Namazi N, Larijani B, Azadbakht L. Alpha-lipoic acid supplement in obesity treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2018
- 14Treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: a meta-analysisSource linkedPMIDZiegler D, Nowak H, Kempler P et al. · Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association · 2004
Randomized controlled trials
1- 15Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trialSource linkedPMIDZiegler D, Ametov A, Barinov A et al. · Diabetes care · 2006
Reviews & position papers
3- 16Alpha-lipoic acid as a dietary supplement: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potentialSource linkedPMIDShay KP, Moreau RF, Smith EJ et al. · Biochimica et biophysica acta · 2009
- 17Alpha-lipoic acid increases insulin sensitivity by activating AMPK in skeletal musclePMIDLee WJ et al. · Biochem Biophys Res Commun · 2005
ALA activates AMPK in skeletal muscle, increases fatty acid oxidation, and improves insulin sensitivity via reduced triglyceride accumulation.
- 18alpha-Lipoic acid as a biological antioxidantPMIDPacker L et al. · Free Radic Biol Med · 1995
Lipoic acid quenches ROS, chelates metal ions, and regenerates other antioxidants (vitamins C, E, glutathione) in both aqueous and lipid compartments.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Alpha-Lipoic Acid, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Alpha-Lipoic Acid?
Unique antioxidant that works in both water and fat environments. Regenerates other antioxidants (vitamins C, E, glutathione, CoQ10). Powerful support for blood sugar and nerve health.
What is Alpha-Lipoic Acid used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Alpha-Lipoic Acid include: Blood sugar support; Nerve health; Antioxidant regeneration; Heavy metal chelation; Skin health. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Alpha-Lipoic Acid?
A typical adult dose of Alpha-Lipoic Acid is 300–600 mg daily. The commonly recommended form is R-lipoic acid (R-ALA, the bioactive enantiomer) or stabilized Na-R-ALA. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid?
Reported side effects include gi upset, skin rash, hypoglycemia (monitor blood sugar), biotin depletion (supplement b7). This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Alpha-Lipoic Acid?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
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