Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplements- How to Use Guide
Alpha supplements can increase the level of the important universal antioxidant alpha lipoic acid in the bodies of aging adults, which can help increase energy and cell function, and could possibly lead to longer, healthier lives.
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How Much Alpha Lipoic Acid Is Right For You?
For most people's needs, a good supplemental dose of alpha lipoic acid is about 100 mg per day. These supplements can come as only alpha lipoic acid, or can be mixed with other antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or with carnitine, an amino acid that helps create energy in the mitochondria.
For specific ailments, the dosages can vary.
• To treat diabetic symptoms, use 200 mg three times per day.
• To prevent diabetic complications, use 100 mg twice per day along with 1,000 mg Vitamin C and 400 IU Vitamin E. This should protect from cataracts, heart diseases, and retinal deterioration.
• To treat hepatitis, use 100 mg per day.
• To treat fatigue, use 100 to 200 mg per day as needed.
• To prevent cancer, take 100 mg.
• To treat acne, use 50 mg per day.
In most alpha supplements, there are two types or alpha lipoic acid found, S-alpha lipoic acid and R-alpha lipoic acid. The difference between them is the R-alpha is natural, while S-alpha is synthesized. Although they are chemically identical, some experts contend that the body has a more difficult time absorbing synthetic alpha compared to natural alpha. They believe that people can only metabolize about half of the synthetic alpha the ingest, so a 100 mg tablet may only have 75-50 mg of alpha lipoic acid that the body actually uses.
There have been few side effects associated with alpha supplements, but these include nausea, upset stomach, fatigue, and insomnia. High doses have also been shown to lower blood sugar.
Alpha lipoic acid has a very low toxicity, meaning it is difficult to overdose on it. Doses as high as 1,200 mg per day for two years or 1,800 mg per day for three weeks were well tolerated by diabetic patients in two separate studies. However, it is questionable how much the body would absorb from such a high dose.
Children and pregnant or nursing mothers should not take an alpha lipoic acid supplement, because studies with these groups have been limited.
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