Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha-lipoic acid
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an endogenous antioxidant that has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory properties, which has led to some scientific interest in its use for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Several in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that ALA can reduce markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of RA. Furthermore, ALA has been shown to inhibit the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), a key regulator of inflammatory cytokine production relevant to RA.
A small number of human studies and clinical trials have evaluated the effects of ALA in patients with RA or related inflammatory arthritis. For example, a 2020 randomized controlled trial found that ALA supplementation, in combination with methotrexate, modestly improved oxidative stress markers and reduced some inflammatory parameters in RA patients. However, the number of trials is limited, sample sizes are small, and results are inconsistent regarding clinical outcomes such as pain and joint function.
In summary, while there is a scientific rationale for the use of ALA in RA based on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and some preliminary human studies suggest possible benefits, the overall quality and quantity of evidence are insufficient to support its widespread use as an adjunct therapy for RA at this time.
More about alpha-lipoic acid
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Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone IAbies spectabilis
Abrus
Actaea spicata
adrenal cortex
Akebia
Alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
amber
amentoflavone
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antler
apigenin
apocynin
Aralia
arctiin
arjunic acid
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalin
baicalein
baicalin
barbasco
bee venom
Bergenia
Black Hellebore
Black willow
bogbean
borage oil
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
celery
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese pond turtle
chuchuhuasi
clematis
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cod liver oil
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cortisol
curcumin
cyanidin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fat liver oil
fisetin
fish protein
flavanols
flavones
Flemingia philippinensis
frankincense
fructoborate
Fumaria parviflora
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
genistein
Gentiana macrophylla
ginger
ginkgetin
green-lipped mussel
guelder rose
Gypenoside
Harpagoside
Hellebore
horse gram
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
Jatropha macrantha
Kaempferol
krill oil
luteolin
madder
mangiferin
Marine fat
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Myricetin
Myristoleate
Nobiletin
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Phaeophyceae
phospholipids
Piper chaba
Polydatin
polyunsaturated fat
proteoglycans
Puerarin
Qin Jiao
resveratrol
rose hips
Salicin
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
saponins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Semecarpus anacardium
Shilajit
Silkmoth
Sinomenium acutum
slippery elm bark
smilax
Stearidonic acid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Szechuan lovage
Tanshinone
Taxillus chinensis
teasel
turmeric
Uncaria
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watercress
white willow
Withanolides
Other health conditions supported by alpha-lipoic acid
Aging (prevention)Alzheimer's Disease
Arthritis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Glaucoma
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hypertension
Inflammation
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Peripheral Neuropathy
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Strokes
Triglycerides (high)
Wrinkles
