Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring compound with antioxidant properties, and its use to support or treat free radical damage is primarily justified by scientific evidence. ALA functions both as a direct antioxidant—neutralizing free radicals—and as a cofactor for mitochondrial enzyme complexes, which help reduce oxidative stress. In vitro and animal studies demonstrate that ALA can regenerate other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and increase intracellular glutathione levels, further enhancing the body's defense against oxidative damage.

Clinical trials evaluating ALA in humans have focused on conditions characterized by increased oxidative stress, such as diabetic neuropathy, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Some studies report improvements in oxidative stress biomarkers and clinical symptoms when ALA is administered, although results are sometimes inconsistent, and large-scale, long-term human studies are limited. A 2012 meta-analysis published in Diabetes Care found that intravenous ALA improved symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, with proposed mechanisms including reduction of oxidative stress.

While ALA is not universally recognized as a primary therapy for free radical damage in all clinical guidelines, the available evidence supports its role as an adjunctive antioxidant therapy. Its dual solubility (working in both aqueous and lipid environments) and ability to regenerate other antioxidants make it a unique and promising agent in the management of oxidative stress. However, more rigorous studies are needed to establish standardized dosing, long-term safety, and efficacy across broader populations.

More about alpha lipoic acid
More about Free Radical Damage

Other ingredients used for Free Radical Damage

Other health conditions supported by alpha lipoic acid

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
Pure Encapsulations Athletic Nutrients
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