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Ala9.0
Alpha Lipoic Acid Research
Likely helpsModerate safety
78 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Alpha Lipoic Acid appears to help in 13 of 14 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1999–2026 with a typical study size of 128 participants.
Based on 78 studies · 30 meta-analyses · 17 RCTs · 893,277 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
13helped1didn't help· 64 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Glucose & metabolicImproved glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity · 2-4 weeks · Improves insulin sensitivity and supports mitochondrial energy · 4-12 weeks
2Hemoglobin levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 4×n=529 · large study2024
ALA supplementation had no statistically significant effect on iron-related parameters.
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)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
3C-reactive protein levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 5×n=947 · large study2023
In summary, ALA supplementation improves inflammatory markers without any evidence of non-linear association to dose or duration of the trial.
Vajdi M et al. · International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to evaluate the pooled effect size.
The findings of the meta-analysis showed that ALA supplementation significantly reduced CRP (WMD: -0.69 mg/L, 95% CI: -1.13, -0.26, P=0.002), IL-6 (WMD: -1.83 pg/ml, 95% CI: -2.90, -0.76, P=0.001), and TNF-α concentrations (WMD: -0.45 pg/ml, 95% CI: -0.85, -0.04, P=0.032).
No evidence of departure from linearity was observed between dose and duration of the ALA supplementation on serum CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α concentration.
4Endothelial functionSystematic ReviewCited 11×n=1,106 · large study2022
In conclusion, these results suggest improvement of endothelial function, but not endothelium-independent vasodilation as a potential mechanism by which ALA attenuates cardiovascular diseases.
Hajizadeh-Sharafabad F et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2022)
Of 11 trials that evaluated endothelial function by methods such as flow-mediated dilation (n = 7), reactive hyperemia (n = 2) and ACh-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation (n = 2), 10 reported a significant improvement in endothelial function.
In contrast, none of six trials examining the response of endothelium-independent vasodilation reported the favorable impact.
The effect of ALA on arterial stiffness measures has been poorly studied.
The use of certain dietary supplements has resulted in a significant decrease in migraine prophylaxis.
Talandashti MK et al. · Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (2025)
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.
These findings revealed that ALA supplementation slightly but significantly reduced blood levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, total cholestrol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but did not affect IL-6, malondialdehyde, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, weight, body mass index, iron, and hemoglobin in patients with CKD.
Rezaei H et al. · Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation (2025)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
However, compared to the control group, total cholestrol levels were considerably lower in CKD patients (WMD = -5.48 mg/dL, 95% CI: -10.55, -0.41, I2 = 0.0%, P = .50).
Moreover, the sensitivity analyses showed that pooled WMDs for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly changed (-6.88 mg/dL, 95% CI, -12.78, -0.98).
While topical clonazepam, alpha-lipoic acid, and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) emerged as potentially effective options in several RCTs, the overall strength of evidence is limited.
Rossetti A et al. · Clinical oral investigations (2025)
While topical clonazepam, alpha-lipoic acid, and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) emerged as potentially effective options in several RCTs, the overall strength of evidence is limited.
These therapies appear promising, but further high-quality, larger randomized trials are needed before firm first-line recommendations can be made.
11Systematic ReviewCited 14×n=22 · very small study2024
Based on the review, we cannot recommend any supplement use for the management of CIPN, although further research into N-acetyl-cysteine, l-carnosine, crocin, and magnesium is warranted.
Frediani JK et al. · Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain (2024)
Based on the review, we cannot recommend any supplement use for the management of CIPN, although further research into N-acetyl-cysteine, l-carnosine, crocin, and magnesium is warranted.
Acetyl-l-carnitine was found to be likely ineffective or harmful.
13Therapeutic outcomes in diabetic peripheral neuropathyMeta-AnalysisCited 7×2024
For diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the triple-combination therapy may be more effective than monotherapy or dual therapy.
Ran GL et al. · Journal of diabetes and its complications (2024)
Huge harm
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Therapeutic outcomes were better in the experimental group than in the control group (odds ratio: 3.74; 95 % confidence interval: 2.57-5.45; I2 = 0 %; p < 0.00001).
Compared with the control group, the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in median motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV), peroneal MNCV, peroneal SNCV, and vibration perception thresholds (VPT) in the left and right lower limbs.
For diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the triple-combination therapy may be more effective than monotherapy or dual therapy.
15Pain reduction in burning mouth syndromeMeta-AnalysisCited 19×2023
More randomized controlled trials comparing treatments against placebo are encouraged to confirm the evidence and test possible alternative treatments (PROSPERO CRD42021255039).
Alvarenga-Brant R et al. · Journal of dental research (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Mean difference (MD) and 95% CI were calculated for continuous outcomes.
The anxiolytic (clonazepam) probably reduces the pain of BMS when compared with placebo (MD, -1.88; 95% CI, -2.61 to -1.16; moderate certainty).
Photobiomodulation therapy (MD, -1.90; 95% CI, -3.58 to -0.21) and pregabalin (MD, -2.40; 95% CI, -3.49 to -1.32) achieved the minimal important difference of a beneficial effect with low or very low certainty.
16Pain reduction in diabetic neuropathyMeta-AnalysisCited 11×2023
In comparison to the use of a placebo, the findings suggest that ALA does not exhibit significant differences in terms of pain reduction and different functional scales.
Orellana-Donoso M et al. · Medicine (2023)
In comparison to the use of a placebo, the findings suggest that ALA does not exhibit significant differences in terms of pain reduction and different functional scales.
Moreover, no specific dosages are identified to support the use of ALA for the reduction of neuropathic pain.
17Total cholesterol reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 33×n=452 · medium study2019
Effect sizes were combined with fixed- or random-effects analysis, where appropriate.
Mousavi SM et al. · Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) (2019)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Effect sizes were combined with fixed- or random-effects analysis, where appropriate.
Eleven clinical trials with 452 adults (51.5% women, 48.5% men) were included in this meta-analysis.
We also found significant changes in serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (WMD, -10.683 mg/dL; 95% CI, -19.816 to -1.550; P = 0.022, WMD, -12.906 mg/dL; 95% CI, -22.133 to -3.679; P = 0.006, respectively).
18Total Symptom Score improvement in diabetic neuropathyMeta-AnalysisCited 6×n=11 · very small study2024
ALA and GLA appear to be safe and efficacious biofactors for improvement of DN symptoms.
Prado MB Jr et al. · Canadian journal of diabetes (2024)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Eight of the 11 articles (73%) reported significant benefit of ALA vs placebo.
In the meta-analysis, the Total Symptom Score (TSS) for ALA 600 mg/day (ALA600) was 1.05 points lower (standard mean difference [SMD] -1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.07 to -0.04, p=0.04, I2=98.18%) compared with control at the end of the study.
In the network meta-analysis, ALA600 (SMD -1.68, 95% CI -2.8 to -0.6) and GLA (SMD -2.39, 95% CI -4.3 to -0.5) had significantly lower TSSs compared with placebo.
A more significant volume in terms of sample size, multi-centres, and multi-arm comparison of therapeutic agents with placebo and longitudinal follow-up studies is recommended to establish a standardised burning mouth syndrome treatment protocol.
Tan HL et al. · Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache (2022)
A more significant volume in terms of sample size, multi-centres, and multi-arm comparison of therapeutic agents with placebo and longitudinal follow-up studies is recommended to establish a standardised burning mouth syndrome treatment protocol.
2024h urine albumin excretion rateMeta-AnalysisCited 4×2022
The available evidence suggests that ALA supplementation does not improve biological indices that reflect DN in humans.
Vakali E et al. · Current diabetes reviews (2022)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
We found that ALA supplementation decreased 24h urine albumin excretion rate in patients with diabetes (standardized mean difference=-2.27; confidence interval (CI)=(-4.09)-(-0.45); I2=98%; Z=2.44; p=0.01).
A subgroup analysis revealed that the results of studies examining only ALA did not differ from those examined ALA in combination with additional medicines (Chisquared= 0.19; p=0.66; I2=0%), while neither ALA nor ALA plus medication had an effect on 24h urine albumin excretion rate (p>0.05).
Also, ALA supplementation decreased urine albumin mg/l (mean difference (MD)=-12.95; CI=(-23.88)-(-2.02); I2=44%; Z=2.32; p=0.02) and urine albumin to creatinine ratio (MD=-26.96; CI=(-35.25)-(-18.67); I2=0%; Z=6.37; p<0.01) in patients with diabetes.