Antioxidant
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Also known as: ALA, Lipoic acid, Thioctic acid, Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Universal antioxidant working in both water and fat. Regenerates other antioxidants and supports blood sugar metabolism.
Primary uses
- Antioxidant
- Blood sugar support
- Neuropathy
- Heavy metal chelation
- Detoxification
- Blood sugar
- Nerve health
- Insulin sensitivity
How it works
- Works in water and fat compartments
- Regenerates vitamins C and E
- Enhances insulin sensitivity
- Chelates heavy metals
Dosage
- Typical range
- 300-600 mg daily (150-300 R-ALA)
- Timing
- Empty stomach for blood sugar; any for antioxidant
- With food
- Empty stomach better absorbed
- Duration
- Safe long-term
- Special populations
- Diabetics, neuropathy
Forms
- R-ALA
- Racemic ALA
- Na-R-ALA
- R-lipoic acid
- Alpha-lipoic acid
Safety
Common side effects
- Hypoglycemia
- Skin rash
- GI upset
Contraindications
- Thiamine deficiency (deplete)
Products containing Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.
See all products →
Evidence notes
Well-studied for neuropathy and blood sugar
Grade A: Multiple well-designed human trials support the main claims.
Cited research for Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Clinical studies referenced across Formulate guides that mention alpha-lipoic acid (ala). Each links to the full study page with PubMed source + the guides that cite it.
- Ziegler D, Ametov A, Barinov A, et al. (2006)Diabetes Care
Efficacy of orally administered alpha-lipoic acid for symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial
- Ziegler D, Nowak H, Kempler P, et al. (2004)Diabetic Medicine
Treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: a meta-analysis
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) compared head-to-head
Related in Antioxidant
Check a full stack
Formulate's free interaction checker lets you paste in any combination of supplements and medications at once — every pairing flags severity, timing, and cited evidence.
Open the checkerMedical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider.