I am wondering if this product is worthwhile and what if any benefits I will see. I am also wondering what is a good brand to take and how much. Thanks
Use the search, there’s already plenty on this topic.
r-ala is a great product.
not only does it increase insulin sensitivity, it helps with glucose disposal. i guess that’s more of a consequence.
anyways, it’ll help shuttle glucose into the muscle tissue as opposed to adipose tissue.
something about increasing glut-4 transporter expression. glut 4 is the major transporter of glucose into muscle tissue.
This + omega 3’s and you’re good.
I think it works great. Cy Wilson gives some good advice on how much and when to take it, just search for R-ALA. I notice a little bit of a pump after I have eaten.
Hey, there deshawn. Yup, it’s good stuff!
Alpha lipoic acid, ALA, is a wonder supp on a number of different levels. It regenerates Vitamins C, E and glutathione. It is both water and fat soluble, and unlike a number of other antioxidants, it does cross the blood-brain barrier.
ALA is liver protective; it helps the liver remove metal toxins and offsets oxidative stress. It’s a crucial cofactor in energy metabolism at a cellular level.
It preferentially shuttles blood glucose into muscle (over fat) cells like BOBU said and improves the response to insulin in those of us who are insulin resistant. ALA improves insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Exercise improves non-insulin mediated glucose uptake. The two are a powerful combo for those who are insulin resistant.
ALA also helps prevent glycation. And finally, it is nerve protective, specifically myelin sheath protective. It’s used very successfully in diabetic neuropathy, even helping with nerve regeneration to some degree.
What’s not to love? (grin)
r-ALA is supposedly 6 to 12 times more potent than regular ALA. ALA is a mixture of r-ALA and s-ALA. It’s the r-version that is so incredibly beneficial. I have no favorite brand. I get mine from 1fast400.
Are all Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplements the Same?
Actually, no. There are two forms of alpha lipoic acid.
R-ALA is the form found naturally occurring within the body and is the biologically active form of alpha lipoic acid.
S-ALA is the unnatural, synthetic byproduct created during the production of alpha lipoic acid.
Nobody sells S-ALA by itself as it isn?t very effective, but you will get S-ALA anytime you purchase ALA. The ALA you buy from nutrition stores is in reality a 50/50 mixture of S-ALA & R-ALA. (though they won?t tell you that?) Most companies don?t go through the complicated and expensive process required to purify and remove the synthetic S-ALA from their products. Be aware that unless the bottle specifically states 100% R-ALA, you are only getting a 50/50 blend.
It is important for you to know that R-ALA has been shown time an time again to be up to 12 times as effective as S-ALA. There have been many studies, doctors and researchers who have stated how much more effective R-ALA is.
The benefits of R-Lipoic Acid:
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R-Lipoic acid is the only form of lipoic acid that your body synthesizes and can safely metabolize.
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R-Lipoic acid is the only form of lipoic acid that is proven to significantly reduce inflammation, an underlying cause of aging.
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R-Lipoic acid is the only form of lipoic acid that is proven to significantly increase your cellular and mitochondrial antioxidant activity for preventing mitochondrial decay. This effectively attenuates the reported increase in oxidative stress with aging.
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R-Lipoic acid is the only form of lipoic acid that is proven to improve memory, reduce brain damage, reverse cognitive dysfunction, and protect the brain from neurodegeneration associated with aging.
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R-Lipoic acid is the only form of lipoic acid that is been proven to significantly increase insulin sensitivity, enhance glucose transport, increase metabolic rate and reduce the gain in body fat from aging.
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R-Lipoic acid is the only form of lipoic acid that is proven to protect body fats against oxidative damage, chelate harmful metals and reverse stress damage in your heart.
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R-Lipoic acid is the only form of Lipoic that is proven to significantly increase or maintain levels of other antioxidants including Coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione.
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R-Lipoic acid is the only form of Lipoic acid that is proven to expand total life span.
The problems with S-lipoic acid:
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S-Lipoic acid produces different biological actions than R-Lipoic acid that may be undesirable.
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S-Lipoic acid produces limited beneficial effects since it cannot bind with key enzymes.
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S-Lipoic acid is less effective than R-lipoic acid as an antioxidant.
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At high concentrations, S-Lipoic acid inhibits mitochondria metabolism and the antioxidant activity of R-lipoic acid
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S-Lipoic acid is metabolized in the outer cell membrane. This may interfere with R-Lipoic acid?s ability to penetrate the inner mitochondrial membrane and energy production.
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R-Lipoic acid costs slightly more per unit than alpha-Lipoic acid. But it may be 10 times stronger than regular alpha-Lipoic acid at reducing inflammation, a primary cause of aging. And it is free of the problems from the S-form.
I use r-ALA at 1-1.2grams per day and it works great. I usually eat low carb all the time, but if I overindulge carbs I will take up to 2G r-ala and I never see noticable fat gain. I get mine from 1fast400 usually, but I am trying out Syntrax R at the moment.
Syntrax r-ALA is great, i have been taking the stuff for the first time and with a hyper caloric diet, been going for 2 weeks and i have had littl to no fat gain.
Use it!!!
well, Tampa Terry, you definitely took that to the bank.
and i thought i knew a thing or two.
holy crap.
BOBU, heck, it’s obvious you know your stuff too! (grin)
I did a little research on r-ALA recently for a friend of mine who wanted to use it for an anti-aging protocol, so a few of the facts are still bouncing 'round in my head. Here on T-Mag, we tend to use r-ALA just for its insulin mimicking attributes and to manipulate body composition, but as it relates to health, it’s useful on so many other levels and in so many other ways.
I would mention in addition that it should be included into any BB’s regimen if he is using chemical assistance that “challenges” the liver; i.e., any of the oral 17-alpha alkylated stuff.