What Is Alpha Lipoic Acid Used For?

Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant produced naturally by the body and many vegetables to reduce cell damage. It is available as a nutritional supplement and may have some health benefits for people with diabetes, dementia and other problems.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant. It is often referred to as a “universal antioxidant” because it is both water- and fat-soluble. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can yield free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can damage the body if levels become too high. High levels of free radicals cause oxidative stress, which can increase the risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. 

Also called thioctic acid, lipoate, lipoic acid, and thioctan, alpha lipoic acid is naturally produced by the body and helps convert the nutrients from the foods we eat into energy.

In the U.S., alpha lipoic acid is available as a dietary supplement. 

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) may have a number of health benefits. For most of these suggested uses, additional study is needed to confirm safety and efficacy.

Suggested uses for alpha-lipoic acid include:

• Diabetes
  • Several trials have shown it helps relieve pain caused by diabetic neuropathy
  • It may help improve blood sugar levels
  • Oral ALA may improve glucose metabolism in women with gestational diabetes
• Liver disease
  • Some studies have suggested ALA may help improve liver function
• Dementia
  • There is some early evidence that long-term use of ALA may have a neuroprotective effect and help reduce symptoms of dementia
• Skin damage
  • Some studies have shown ALA may help repair skin damage due to smoking
  • Others suggest that ALA cream may help with skin damage due to aging
• Weight loss
  • Some evidence showed small, yet significant short-term weight loss from ALA compared with placebo
• Multiple sclerosis
  • Early data suggests long-term supplementation with ALA may help preserve walking ability in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
• Inflammation
  • Some studies suggest ALA may lower some markers of inflammation, especially in higher doses
  • In patients with atrial fibrillation, it reduced blood markers of inflammation
• Wound healing
  • ALA was shown to improve wound healing and scarring in women who underwent cesarean section 
• Postsurgical pain
  • ALA reduced postsurgical pain after carpal tunnel decompression surgery

Tell your doctor about all supplements you use, as some may cause unwanted side effected or drug interactions with medicines you take. 

Taking alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is generally considered safe, however, higher doses can cause side effects, such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Lower blood sugar levels (hypoglycemic symptoms)
• Convulsions 
• Worsening of the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) can be found in small amounts in some foods, including: 

• Red meat, especially organ meats
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Tomatoes
• Peas
• Brussels sprouts
• Rice bran
• Yams
• Potatoes
• Yeast
• Carrots
• Beets