Are all alpha-lipoic acid the same?

Alpha lipoic acid consists of two different forms (isomers) that have vastly different properties. The “R” form is the biologically active component (native to the body) that is responsible for lipoic acid's phenomenal antioxidant effect.

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What time of day should I take alpha-lipoic acid?

The best time to take alpha lipoic acid is on an empty stomach, preferably earlier in the day. This gives the body a chance to work the antioxidant through your system when it is most effective. The average dose is 300 to 600 mg per day, although as much as 1,200 mg per day were used in some clinical studies. Is it OK to take alpha-lipoic acid before bed? There is no evidence to confirm that ALA can help you sleep. In fact, insomnia can be a side effect of the supplement. However, ALA may reduce pain from neuropathy, which may help people with the condition to sleep better.

Correspondingly, how long does alpha-lipoic acid stay in your system?

Following ingestion, peak serum levels of ALA are found after 50–90 minutes, and it is undetectable by about 5 hours. You can also ask will alpha-lipoic acid raise blood pressure? Five studies indicate no significant effects for ALA supplementation on BP, but two trials show effects on BP. Unlike parallel-designed trials, two crossover-designed trials have shown similar results and both report no effect for ALA on BP. Several studies investigated the effect of ALA on BP.

One may also ask does r lipoic acid help kidney function?

More recently, lipoic acid demonstrated positive effects in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy [115–118]. In particular, it was able to prevent renal insufficiency, glomerular mesangial matrix expansion, and glomerulosclerosis by restoring glutathione and reducing malondialdehyde levels [119].