R-ALA

Well, after reviewing the information on www.r-lipoic.com, I've come to one conclusion. The racemic lipoic acid is the best option at this time for those interested in disease prevention. The evidence to support the claims of AOR (www.r-lipoic.com) is paper thin. For instance, they took one study on rats (or mice?) and concluded that the racemic form could shorten lifespan while the R(+) form could lengthen lifespan. However, the study was flawed. The animals that were fed the racemic lipoic acid were fed a huge amount, far more than those fed either the R or S forms individually. And the animals fed the S form were fed far more than those fed the R form. So the changes in lifespan were not due to the form but simply the amount. Incidentally, The animals fed only the S form also lengthened lifespan.

Other than that, there is not one coherent argument on the site.


Now for the downside of using only the R form. To my knowledge, no studies on bioavailability have been done on using the R form alone orally. So, if you use R-ALA or K-RALA (aka potassium lipoate), caveat emptor. And companies vary greatly in their production methods. Not to mention that the vast majority of beneficial studies in humans used the racemic form. Also, what would the correct dosing be? Dosing studies in humans were done with the racemic form. It would be foolish to think that just cutting the dose in half will give you the same benefits. It is far more complicated than that. And the final point, the racemic form is cheaper and proven effective. So, why waste your money on an unproven product?


The R form may eventually be proven to be the best form for supplementation, but that is years ahead. We need human studies and bioavailability studies to learn the differential benefits between the R and racemic forms.

Dave

WHat was the point in posting this twice (slightly modified)?

FPot66

Twas an accident. I posted once to the forum but I also wanted to post under a product. I saw some mistakes on my initial post, so I corrected them when I posted under the product. I didn't realize that by posting under a product it would also go to the forum. This is the first time I've been here.

David

I am totally confused as well. I can't find any independent sources (those not trying to sell R+) who have this information!!!

I would love it if the inexpensive form worked and especially if it was in a bulk powder!!!!

The R-form tends to polymerize.

That's the reason for the lack of popularity - the trade off. Yeah, its the bioactive form that you want for ALA, BUT, the polymerization level varies among manufacturing sources, and even among batches.

So you're safer sticking with the racemic mixture and using it sparingly - no more than 500-800 mg per day. I take it in 200 mg doses, with meals. I've seen recommendations for taking it between meals and with meals. I've done both, and seen better absorption and activity (controlling blood sugar levels) with the latter (with meals).

I would like to know how others are taking it. Dosage and timing.

Personally I like Geronova's "stabilized" R-ala/R-dihrolipoic acid gel. A small store nearby me sells it for 40% less than what relentlessimprovement sells it for too. It still ends up being twice as expensive as K-R-Ala though.

K-R-ALA is far more effective than racemic ALA. In fact, it may be too effective (sledgehammer effect even with just 100mg) and that's why I like the "r-ala gel" because it's 66mg r-ala and 34mg r-dihydrolipoic acid.

Now I will say K-R-ALA is great in powdered form because I can dilute it into protein powder and get a more reasonable dose. Without that S-enantiomer inhibiting the R-enantiomer just a little bit has far greater effect because it's action goes unopposed.

what's so hard to understand?

the s-enatiomer doesn't occur in nature and interfers with the natural stuff. I don't know why you'd want to take what is basically a mitochodrial inhibitor (S-form). Furthermore it's not even a reduced thiol, it's a dimer.

P.S. If you want something that is more of an anti-oxidant than a glucose sensitizer get the "stabilized" R-ala/R-dihydrolipoic acid gel made by the same people who make K-R-ALA. Forget about this mixed enantiomer stuff. Besides I bet 50mg K-R-ALA is probably better for you than 300mg "mixed" ALA and in reality it's probably cheaper too.