Alpha Lipoic Acid

Question: Has anyone else used Alpha Lipoic Acid to help them with their insomnia? I found out that alpha lipoic acid is a good antioxidant and can even be better than vitamin C in fighting the flu bug. However, I noticed a side effect, but a good side effect! It has helped me with my insomnia and works a bit better than any of the prescribed meds I have tried including Lunesta, Remeron, Elavil, and even Rozerem. Just wondering if anyone else has found this out as well. I found out that alpha lipoic acid is a good antioxidant and can even be better than vitamin C in fighting the flu bug. However, I noticed a side effect, but a good side effect! It has helped me with my insomnia and works a bit better than any of the prescribed meds I have tried including Lunesta, Remeron, Elavil, and even Rozerem. Just wondering if anyone else has found this out as well. Also, melatonin and 5 HTP, even SAM-e did not help me sleep at all. Sleepytime tea and Kava Kava and Valerian root didn't work for me. I guess the ALA stuff works on different hormones in me that needed adjusting instead of working on serotonin and GABA and melatonin which kept me awake instead. I also know ALA can help relieve nerve pain in ppl with diabetes up to 800mg.

Answer: I would be very careful with alpha lipoic acid. It can move mercury out of tissues and it will settle in another part of the body, even in the brain! My autism specialist told me NOT to use it. Mercury will not show up in blood tests sometimes because it only stays there for 2 months before settling in the body tissues. I would do a urinary prophyrin test to check for mercury. A safer approach is to use Theanine ( found in green tea) to relax. About an hour before bedtime, try 5-HTP or melatonin. Using theanine in combo with 5 HTP or melatonin is much safer and should work. Magnesium also helps to calm and destress. I have been using 5 HTP with my son after my dr. found that his tryptophan (amino acid) level was low. This is a simple blood test. He is getting a good restful sleep and is not grouchy in the morning anymore.

Question: how can i prevent to lower blood sugar if i use alpha lipoic acid? i am using alpha lipoic acid 240 daily but it lowers my blood sugar very much and i had always very healthy blood sugar levels.How can i overcome this issue because i should take alpha lipoic acid at this levels.I tried to take alpha lipoic acid with chromium(200 mg) and it didnt work.

Answer: DARK CHOCOLATE

Question: Can you use alpha lipoic acid pills directly on skin? I cant find any products that contain alpha lipoic acid in a topical form so can I just dissolve it with some water and rub it on my skin as a mask?

Answer: you would have to consult a dermatologist, I doubt if it is this simple, good luck

Question: Have any of you used alpha lipoic acid supplements. Did you notice any side effects? I bought a 100mg dosage I was thinking of using 3 times a week because it might help prevent plaque build up in arteries. Is this supplement pretty useless like other supplements? What's your experience or knowledge on the subject?

Answer: Lipoic acid appears to have no significant side effects at dosages up to 1,800 mg daily.

Question: Sucess stories on alpha lipoic acid for treating the liver? I just want to know if there is anyone out there who have sucessfully been treated with this and are living life normally now. My father is in the hospital and being treated with this but he just started. Please if there is anyone out there in the same situation i would love to hear your stories. Thank you!

Answer: I developed liver problems from years of drinking combined with chemical exposures in the workplace... I tried a lot of supplements including alpha lipoic acid, which I still take. The one supplement that did me the most good was PPC (polyenylphosphatidylcholine), brand names "PhosChol" and "HepatoPro". I thank God for this supplement every day. Please look into this and you will see... PPC and perhaps SAM-e are the two supplements with the best record for restoring damaged livers. Good Luck and GodSpeed to you and your dad!

Question: Alpha Lipoic Acid for Rosacea redness? I heard that oral supplements of Alpha Lipoic Acid could help in the benefit of redness for rosacea, has anyone actually tried this? Did it help with redness?

Answer: I don't know about it but i can say about my friend's trials. Like La Roche, Ahava , Avene brands have great products for redness. and they definitely work! find products here http://www.rosacea-skincare.com and also check out this blog to see some tips and product reviews http://rosaceaskincareproducts.blogspot.com

Question: Is Alpha Lipoic Acid safe to take when you have a mercury filling? It is a silver filling but it has 50% mercury. My mutli-vitamin has 200-300mg i believe. Also would taking Vitamin E be good or anything else? Also can't wait for the day the ADA bans mercury fillings and the US government fesses up to fluoride and chlorine being horrible things to add to our water systems.

Answer: ALA is a powerful antioxidant which can help you detox from all the mercury you might have already ingested. Vitamin E is also a very powerful antioxidant so it would be helpful in this matter and to help detox your entire body, thats why its good for the skin, the skin needs to detox just like the rest of our body.

Question: Does anyone use Alpha Lipoic Acid as an antioxidant? I just bought ALA from HerbMart and decided to do some further research on it and discovered that it could possibly be dangerous to take because it mobilizes mercury to other parts of the body. Is there any way around this or should I just completely avoid the supplement. I was planning on using it in combination with Acetyl-L-Carintine.

Answer: I think you are very wise to avoid taking supplements unless you are sure they are safe, and that they have a decent chance of being effective. There are a few things you should consider before taking supplements: There was a recent article in U.S. News & World Report about medicines and supplements sold in the United States. The article stated that the active ingredients of all sorts of medicines (prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements) are often manufactured abroad, but the label may not indicate this. Of course the concern is greatest when the components of the item are from China. This is why you need to know your manufacturer. Feel free to call or write to ask them where the components of their supplement come from. Also know your source. Does the store you buy from do its own research and stand behind the products it sells? Don't buy based on price alone. Sometimes the very same supplement is sold under different labels and there is no difference except for the markup. Other times, it's the distributor's guarantee that you are paying for. That guarantee may be worth the difference in price. It is a good idea to check with mainstream newsletters on the safety of supplements. I really like to see what the Linus Pauling Institute recommends, and also to consult other sources such as Berkeley Wellness Letter, Harvard Health Letter, and Andrew Weil. LPI's newsletter is free, and they only ask for a charitable contribution once in a while (not obtrusively, either). Good luck, and let us know what you decide. This may turn out to be an excellent supplement.

Question: can you tell me what alpha lipoic acid is? I know it is some kind of medication for numbness in the feet caused by dieabetes.

Answer: Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is manufactured in the human body. Antioxidants are substances that work by attacking "free radicals," waste products created when the body turns food into energy. Free radicals cause harmful chemical reactions that can damage cells in the body, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. As a result a person becomes more susceptible to long term diseases such as diabetes and liver damage. Alpha-lipoic acid helps to prevent cell damage, and helps the body rid itself of harmful substances. Several studies suggest that treatment with ALA may help reduce pain, burning, itching, tingling, and numbness in people who have nerve damage (called peripheral neuropathy) caused by diabetes. Alpha-lipoic acid has been used for years for this purpose in Europe. Other studies have shown that alpha-lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose (sugar) from the blood of people with diabetes and that this antioxidant may prevent kidney damage associated with diabetes in animals. Because alpha-lipoic acid can pass easily into the brain, it has protective effects on brain and nerve tissue and shows promise as a treatment for stroke and other brain disorders involving free radical damage. Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare provider. This is especially true for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Skin rash has been reported rarely from alpha-lipoic acid. Finally, because alpha-lipoic acid has been associated with improved blood sugar control, people with diabetes should follow their blood sugar levels carefully when taking this supplement in order to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Your doctor may decide that a reduction in dosage of insulin or oral blood sugar-lowering drugs is needed if you are taking this supplement.

Question: Where can I buy 30 mg capsules of Alpha Lipoic Acid? I was buying these from Vitamin World and now they are discontinued. I googled as well. Anyone know where I can buy in this size, not interested in 50mg, 60 mg, 100mg or 30omg.

Answer: I do not see any products available at 30 mg. What do you have against more than 30 mg?

Question: What does Alpha Lipoic Acid do for me? I talke 1000mg of ALA a day, maybe even more for the past year practically. What could this be doing to me in the long run?

Answer: It's a natural nutrient that already occurs in various foods, so since you aren't allergic, there should be no ill health concerns. ALA is good for blood sugar health (it helps break down carbs and glucose) and it's a good antioxidant so it's good for protection of the cells. 1,000 mg is certainly within the higher recommendations of ALA as well, so you're good on that. I hope I helped!

Question: Is it possible to get intravenous alpha lipoic acid in the uk?

Answer: Could not find any suppliers for either the UK or outside of the US, though there have been some clinical trials [in the US at least] looking at intravenous alpha lipoic acid [ALA]. Other than capsules, I could only find a liquid formula. Under the Solgar label in the UK but looks like may contain sugar!!! Yourself....are you aware of any suppliers of intravenous ALA anywhere? You could consider contacting one of the names involved in any of those clinical trials to see if they might be better able to advise you. Good luck in your search. Best wishes.

Question: Has anyone been advised to take Alpha Lipoic Acid by a dr? And is it really considered the "fountain of Youth"?

Answer: Yes, a DO will prescribe it. But then again they are specialists and trained in God's medicine as well as man made meds. Fountain of youth?? I don't think I would go that far although it has many benefits.

Question: What are the pros and cons of taking Alpha Lipoic Acid and what is the best way to take it-as in dosage and? combined with what other supplements?

Answer: What it does? Alpha-lipoic acid affects nearly every cell in the body. It assists all of the B vitamins -- including thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and niacin -- in converting carbohydrates, protein, and fats found in foods into energy the body can store and later use. Alpha-lipoic acid is a cell-protecting antioxidant that may help the body recycle other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, boosting their potency. Thanks to its unique chemical properties, alpha-lipoic acid is easily absorbed by most tissues in the body, including the brain, nerves, and liver, making it valuable for treating a wide range of ailments. Forms: Tablet, and Capsule Alpha-lipoic acid can be purchased as an individual supplement or part of a general antioxidant booster, along with vitamins C, E, and other antioxidants. Look for it on the ingredients list; it may also be called thioctic acid. Common Uses- Helps treat numbness, tingling, and other symptoms of nerve damage in people with diabetes or other conditions. Protects the liver in hepatitis, alcohol abuse, or exposure to poisons or toxic chemicals. Aids in preventing cataracts. May help preserve memory in Alzheimer's disease. Serves as a high-potency antioxidant and possible immune booster, combating a wide range of disorders, including psoriasis, fibromyalgia, and AIDS. Dosage: To treat specific disorders: Alpha-lipoic acid is usually taken in doses of 100 to 200 mg three times a day. For general antioxidant support: Lower doses of 50 to 150 mg a day may be used. Guidelines for use: Alpha-lipoic acid can be taken with or without food. No major adverse effects have been reported. Possible side effects: Alpha-lipoic acid appears to be very safe, and there have been no reports of serious side effects in people taking it. Occasionally, the supplement may produce mild gastrointestinal upset, and in rare cases, allergic skin rashes have occurred. If side effects appear, lower the dose or discontinue using the supplement Warnings: For people with diabetes, the use of alpha-lipoic acid may require a change in insulin or other medications. Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Question: i am taking alpha lipoic acid (100mg) now and it makes me really thirsty. why is that? i was told it's a highly effectively antioxidant that helps in various aspects of our bodies and i started taking it (i am not diabetic). however, i feel very thirsty in the past days and i did a quick research online, apparently i am not alone in this experience. does anyone know why? is it actually normal/good/bad?? thank you.

Answer: Well, I know alpha lipoic acid is supposed to help you flush toxins out of the body so maybe your body needs the extra water in order to get the toxins out? The sad fact is that many Americans are dehydrated and don't even know it. By "really thirsty" are you saying you need more than 8 8 oz. glasses of water per day? Because I've been taking alpha lipoic acid on and off for a couple of years and it doesn't make me thirsty. But I always drink lots of water. Could it be the brand of alpha lipoic acid? I've found one brand that makes my urine smell terrible while others did not. It could be something to do with the brand you're using.

Question: Would the med Alpha lipoic acid be administered to pt's w/ multiple sclerosis? Is this a prescribed med or is an herbal supplement and would it be found in a drug book?

Answer: Alpha Lipoic Acid is not a prescribed medicine. I would put it into the "All Natural/herbal supplement" category. It's also an antioxidant. From what the following article shows, I can see how it could be used for one or more symptoms of MS, however it also says that it's "thought to do" this or that, but it's not showing the evidence of testing that it's been actually proven to help. http://altmedicine.about.com/od/alphalipoicacid/a/alphalipoicacid.htm I actually haven't heard of it prior to reading your question today, so I'm not sure how helpful, if at all, it actually is for a MS Patient. Just becareful, and make sure that you discuss it with your doctor prior to starting any supplement that woudl be used to treat any condition. Good luck to you.