Alpha Lipoic Acid

ALA may deplete B vitamins; B1 is especially important

Prevents potential B vitamin depletion

⟡ Benfotiamine

Both support nerve health in diabetes

Enhanced neuropathy protection

⟡ Carnosine

Both support anti-glycation and antioxidant defenses

Enhanced protection against oxidative and glycation damage

⟡ Chromium

Both enhance insulin sensitivity

Enhanced blood sugar control

⟡ Milk Thistle

Both support liver antioxidant capacity

Enhanced liver protection

⟡ Thiamine

Both support nerve health and glucose metabolism

Enhanced neuropathy protection

⟡ Nicotinamide Riboside

Alpha-lipoic acid is a mitochondrial cofactor that regenerates antioxidants and supports the Krebs cycle; combined with NR's NAD+ elevation provides broader mitochondrial support.

Enhanced mitochondrial function through NAD+ elevation and improved redox cycling

Top studies from 38+ peer-reviewed papers

📚meta-analysisn=3771

Kohandel Gargari O et al. • JAMA network open (2024)

“In this network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, topiramate and pregabalin were associated with reduction in headache frequency and intensity.”

Key Findings:

Compared with placebo, pregabalin (ratio of means [RoM], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18-0.79) and topiramate with vitamin D3 (RoM, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.30-0.65) were associated with reduction in migraine frequency.
However, no treatments were associated with significant improvements in quality of life or reduction of the duration of migraine attacks.
Adverse events were higher with amitriptyline (RR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.41-10.32), topiramate (RR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.60-11.75), and valproate (RR, 5.93; 95% CI, 1.93-18.23) compared with placebo.

📚meta-analysisn=1242

Hsieh RY et al. • Nutrients (2023)

“The use of ALA to prevent neurological symptoms should be further researched.”

Key Findings:

ALA treatment produced favorable results for TSS (a dose-related trend was observed), NDS, and the global satisfaction score.
For VAS, VPT, NIS-LL, and NCS results, ALA did not produce favorable results.
The use of ALA to prevent neurological symptoms should be further researched.

📚meta-analysis

Talandashti MK et al. • Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (2025)

“The use of certain dietary supplements has resulted in a significant decrease in migraine prophylaxis.”

Key Findings:

In adults, compared with placebo, these supplements did not significantly affect other outcomes, and omega-3 supplementation did not yield a statistically significant reduction in any of these outcomes.
The use of certain dietary supplements has resulted in a significant decrease in migraine prophylaxis.
Further clinical trials of high quality appear to be beneficial.

📚meta-analysisn=50

Michaelsen MP et al. • Nutrients (2025)

“This study found no convincing evidence of an effect of any dietary supplements on male infertility.”

Key Findings:

This study found no convincing evidence of an effect of any dietary supplements on male infertility.
Larger and more well-conducted randomized controlled trials focusing on specific supplements and considering pregnancy outcomes are needed.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

📚meta-analysisn=529

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

Sharifi-Zahabi E et al. • International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition (2024)

“ALA supplementation had no statistically significant effect on iron-related parameters.”

Key Findings:

In subgroup analysis, ALA significantly increased hemoglobin in patients with hematological disorders (WMD = 1.23 g/dL; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.45 g/dL; I2 = 96.6%, p < 0.001) and in studies with durations longer than 8 weeks (WMD = 1.03 g/dL; 95% CI: 0.82, 1.25 g/dL; I2 = 96.5%, p = 0.02).
ALA supplementation had no statistically significant effect on iron-related parameters.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

View all 38+ studies

What would you like to do next?

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Ala9.0

Alpha Lipoic Acid

compound

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA / R-ALA)

Universal antioxidant that works in both water and fat, supporting blood sugar control, nerve health, and cellular energy.

immunityantioxidantblood sugarneuropathymitochondria

38+ studies

Evidence

Reviewed 19 days ago

moderate

Safety

300-600mg

Dose

4-12 weeks

Time to Effect

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA) — the natural form

Best Form

Mechanisms of Action

🛡️

Universal Antioxidant

Works in both water and fat environments

📊

Glucose Uptake

Enhances insulin sensitivity

⚡

Mitochondrial Cofactor

Essential for cellular energy production

Biological PathwayBeta

How Alpha Lipoic Acid works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.

Supplement

Molecular Target

Biological Process

Health Outcome

Strong

Moderate

Emerging

strong

moderate

emerging

Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research

Recommended Dose

300-600mg

200mg1200mg

Optimal Timing

On empty stomach for best absorption
30-60 minutes before meals

Can be taken without food

Available Forms

Form	Type
💊R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA) — the natural form	Recommended
💊Racemic ALA (R/S mix)	Alternative
💊Na-R-ALA (stabilized R-ALA)	Alternative

R-ALA is the biologically active form. Racemic ALA contains 50% R and 50% S forms. Na-R-ALA is more stable.

Duration

Minimum: 4 weeks

Optimal: 12 weeks

Cycling: Not required

Note: Food reduces absorption. R-ALA form is more bioavailable than racemic ALA. May cause blood sugar to drop if taken with diabetes medications.

📊

Blood Sugar Control

Improved glucose metabolism

⏱️ 4-12 weeks

65% of users notice thispositive

🔌

Nerve Health

May reduce neuropathy symptoms

⏱️ 4-8 weeks

55% of users notice thispositive

✨

Antioxidant Boost

Reduced oxidative stress

⏱️ 2-4 weeks

60% of users notice thispositive

ModerateMax safe dose: Up to 1200mg/day used in clinical studies

🔴

Pregnant/nursing

Insufficient data; avoid

🟢

Diabetics

Beneficial but requires monitoring; may need medication adjustment

Who Should NOT Take This

Thiamine (B1) deficiency
Excessive alcohol use
Uncontrolled Diabetes - use with caution

Drug Interactions

Diabetes medicationsmoderate

May enhance blood sugar lowering — monitor closely

Thyroid medicationsmild

May affect thyroid hormone levels

Chemotherapymoderate

May interact; consult oncologist

Possible Side Effects

Nausea

milduncommon

Tip: Take with small amount of food

Skin rash

mildrare

Tip: Discontinue if occurs

Hypoglycemia

moderateuncommon

Tip: Monitor blood sugar if diabetic

Warnings

Can cause significant blood sugar drops in diabetics
May deplete thiamine (B1) — supplement B1 if using long-term
Can have an unpleasant sulfur smell

✦ Acetyl-L-Carnitine

enhances

Classic mitochondrial support combination

Synergistic neuroprotection and energy production

⟡ B-Complex

ALA may deplete B vitamins; B1 is especially important

Prevents potential B vitamin depletion

⟡ Benfotiamine

Both support nerve health in diabetes

Enhanced neuropathy protection

⟡ Carnosine

Both support anti-glycation and antioxidant defenses

Enhanced protection against oxidative and glycation damage

⟡ Chromium

Both enhance insulin sensitivity

Enhanced blood sugar control

⟡ Milk Thistle

Both support liver antioxidant capacity

Enhanced liver protection

⟡ Thiamine

Both support nerve health and glucose metabolism

Enhanced neuropathy protection

⟡ Nicotinamide Riboside

Alpha-lipoic acid is a mitochondrial cofactor that regenerates antioxidants and supports the Krebs cycle; combined with NR's NAD+ elevation provides broader mitochondrial support.

Enhanced mitochondrial function through NAD+ elevation and improved redox cycling

Top studies from 38+ peer-reviewed papers

📚meta-analysisn=3771

Kohandel Gargari O et al. • JAMA network open (2024)

“In this network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, topiramate and pregabalin were associated with reduction in headache frequency and intensity.”

Key Findings:

Compared with placebo, pregabalin (ratio of means [RoM], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18-0.79) and topiramate with vitamin D3 (RoM, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.30-0.65) were associated with reduction in migraine frequency.
However, no treatments were associated with significant improvements in quality of life or reduction of the duration of migraine attacks.
Adverse events were higher with amitriptyline (RR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.41-10.32), topiramate (RR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.60-11.75), and valproate (RR, 5.93; 95% CI, 1.93-18.23) compared with placebo.

📚meta-analysisn=1242

Hsieh RY et al. • Nutrients (2023)

“The use of ALA to prevent neurological symptoms should be further researched.”

Key Findings:

ALA treatment produced favorable results for TSS (a dose-related trend was observed), NDS, and the global satisfaction score.
For VAS, VPT, NIS-LL, and NCS results, ALA did not produce favorable results.
The use of ALA to prevent neurological symptoms should be further researched.

📚meta-analysis

Talandashti MK et al. • Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (2025)

“The use of certain dietary supplements has resulted in a significant decrease in migraine prophylaxis.”

Key Findings:

In adults, compared with placebo, these supplements did not significantly affect other outcomes, and omega-3 supplementation did not yield a statistically significant reduction in any of these outcomes.
The use of certain dietary supplements has resulted in a significant decrease in migraine prophylaxis.
Further clinical trials of high quality appear to be beneficial.

📚meta-analysisn=50

Michaelsen MP et al. • Nutrients (2025)

“This study found no convincing evidence of an effect of any dietary supplements on male infertility.”

Key Findings:

This study found no convincing evidence of an effect of any dietary supplements on male infertility.
Larger and more well-conducted randomized controlled trials focusing on specific supplements and considering pregnancy outcomes are needed.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

📚meta-analysisn=529

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

“ALA supplementation had no statistically significant effect on iron-related parameters.”

Key Findings:

In subgroup analysis, ALA significantly increased hemoglobin in patients with hematological disorders (WMD = 1.23 g/dL; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.45 g/dL; I2 = 96.6%, p < 0.001) and in studies with durations longer than 8 weeks (WMD = 1.03 g/dL; 95% CI: 0.82, 1.25 g/dL; I2 = 96.5%, p = 0.02).
ALA supplementation had no statistically significant effect on iron-related parameters.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

View all 38+ studies

What would you like to do next?

Related Supplements

Bbr9.0

Berberine

Activates AMPK to regulate blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, and support lipid metabolism — comparable to metformin in some trials.

NR7.2

Nicotinamide Riboside

7.2/10

A vitamin B3 precursor that efficiently raises cellular NAD+ levels, supporting energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, and healthy aging.

Coq9.0

CoQ10

Enhances mitochondrial energy production and acts as a lipid-soluble antioxidant — critical for heart health and depleted by statins.

Rsv9.0

Resveratrol