BioStacksWhy ALA for Metabolism
ALA plays a important role in metabolism. Alpha-lipoic acid is a sulfur-containing compound that functions as a cofactor for mitochondrial enzymes and is both water- and fat-soluble, giving it unique antioxidant versatility. It regenerates other antioxidants (vitamins C, E, glutathione, CoQ10). In clinical studies, ala supports insulin sensitivity and healthy glucose metabolism.
What dose to look for
Clinical studies typically use 300–600 mg of ala. Most studies use 300–600 mg/day of racemic ALA. R-lipoic acid (the natural form) is more bioavailable and used at lower doses (100–300 mg). Doses up to 1200 mg/day used in diabetic neuropathy research. Supplements that fall short of this threshold are unlikely to match what clinical trials achieved.
The evidence behind ala
Research supporting ala for metabolism is rated as strong. Strong clinical data for diabetic neuropathy and glucose metabolism across multiple trials Learn more