Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha lipoic acid
For the health condition: Arthritis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant compound that has been studied for its potential benefits in various inflammatory and degenerative diseases, including arthritis. The use of ALA for arthritis is primarily justified by emerging scientific evidence rather than longstanding traditional use. Preclinical studies have shown that ALA can reduce markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).

Some small clinical trials and animal studies suggest that ALA supplementation may help decrease levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α and IL-6) and may protect cartilage from degradation. For example, a 2021 randomized controlled trial showed mild improvements in inflammatory markers and pain scores in RA patients taking ALA as an adjunct to standard treatment. However, these studies are limited by small sample sizes, short durations, and methodological concerns, making the current evidence preliminary.

Overall, while there is some scientific rationale and early research supporting the use of ALA for arthritis, the strength of evidence is currently modest (rated 2/5). Larger, high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this indication. ALA is not a mainstay treatment for arthritis, but it may be considered as a complementary therapy under medical supervision.

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Other ingredients used for Arthritis

adrenal cortex
alfalfa
algal oil
allspice
aloe vera
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bamboo
barberry
basil
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
Beta-Glucan
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
borage oil
boron
Indian frankincense
bovine
bovine gelatin
broccoli
bromelain
burdock
calamari oil
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
carrot
cartilage
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
celery
cherry
chondroitin
chymotrypsin
cinnamon
citrus oil
clove
collagen
collard
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
copper
cordyceps
cowage seed
cryptoxanthin
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
evening primrose oil
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
gelatin
genistein
ginger
ginseng
glucosamine
gooseberry
gotu kola
green lipped mussel
green tea
guggul
heartwood
hemp oil
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
Indian tinospora
knotweed
kale
krill oil
kudzu
luteolin
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC)
moringa
mustard seed
myristoleate
n-acetyl-glucosamine
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
spruce
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oregon grape
papain
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pregnenolone
pumpkin
quercetin
raspberry
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sardines
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
black ginger
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
strawberry
strontium
thyme
triphala
ubiquinol
vitamin B
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vitamin D3
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seaweed
water
watercress
wheat grass
mulberry
white willow
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zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
suma
squawvine
jiaogulan
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
gastrodia
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
punarnava
commiphora
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
morus
lemongrass
myrrh
root tuber
ferulic acid
silk tree
chrysanthemum
haliotis
juniper berries
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amber
dioscorea
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ganoderma
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morinda
zanthoxylum
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royal jelly
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trace minerals
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fulvic acid
yucca
barrenwort
wintergreen
menthol oil
gentiana macrophylla
noni
biota seed
goji berry
abies spectabilis
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
indigo leaves
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
soursop
geranium
clematis
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Ash
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akebia
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Animal Tissue
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Alpha-Lipoic Acid
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berry
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Bur-Reed
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Bombax
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bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
Black root
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Chlorophytum
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Centella asiatica
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Crinum latifolium
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Dipsacus
European Elder
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Eupolyphaga sinensis
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Eclipta
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Elephant's Head
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European-Five Finger Grass
Echium
Eugenol
Ecklonia
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Glycosaminoglycans
Lotus
Mustard
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Sumac
walnut
Zucchini

Products containing alpha lipoic acid

Vitabase ALA/ALC 750mg
Thorne Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid 100 mg
Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid 100 mg
Douglas Laboratories Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid 200 mg
Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid 200 mg
Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid 400 mg
Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid 400 mg
Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid 600 mg
Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid 600 mg
Pure Encapsulations Amino-NR
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Douglas Laboratories Berberine Balance
Designs For Health Berberine Synergy™
Vitabase Blood Sugar Formula
Designs For Health Detox Antiox™
Designs For Health Detoxification Support Packets
Thorne Diabenil
Pure Encapsulations DIM Detox
Pure Encapsulations GlucoFunction
Pure Encapsulations GlucoFunction
Pure Encapsulations Glucose Support Formula
Pure Encapsulations Glucose Support Formula
Integrative Therapeutics Glycemic Manager
Pure Encapsulations HM Complex
Pure Encapsulations HM Complex
Douglas Laboratories Juvenon Pro Cognitive
Integrative Therapeutics K-PAX MitoNutrients
Klean Athlete Klean Antioxidant ™
Klean Athlete Klean Focus®
Thorne L-Arginine Plus Perfusia Plus
Designs For Health Lipoic Acid Supreme
Pure Encapsulations Liver G.I. Detox
Pure Encapsulations LVR Formula
Pure Encapsulations LVR Formula
Metagenics Meta Lipoate® 300 mg
Designs For Health Metabolic Synergy™
Designs For Health Metabolic Synergy™
Metagenics MetaGlycemX™
Metagenics MetaGlycemX
Designs For Health Metal-X-Synergy™
Pure Encapsulations Mitochondria-ATP
Designs For Health Mitochondrial NRG™
Pure Encapsulations NeuroMood Pure Pack
Designs For Health NeuroRenew™
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Designs For Health OcuForce™
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® UltraMultivitamin
Pure Encapsulations R-Lipoic Acid Stabilized
Pure Encapsulations RevitalAge™ Nerve
Pure Encapsulations RevitalAge™ Ultra
Designs For Health Sensitol™
Designs For Health Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid Supreme
Vitabase Super Antioxidant Formula
Pure Encapsulations Ultra B-Complex with PQQ
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Benfotiamine
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive One Daily
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive® X
Pure Encapsulations UltraDetox 10-Day Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations VisionPro Nutrients
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Pure Encapsulations Women's Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Women's Nutrients