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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on December 23, 2007, at 7:35:20
Can anyone explain to me the different forms of alpha lipoic acid? I have just plain old "alpha lipoic acid", is this no good, is the fancy new R form better, or was it L form?
Linkadge
Posted by Netch on December 23, 2007, at 7:35:20
In reply to Alpha lipoic acid: different forms?, posted by linkadge on December 18, 2007, at 22:38:37
"R-Lipoic acid is much more potent (2 times on average) than commonly sold synthetic lipoic acid which contains both the R and S forms of lipoic acid. The S form is chemically the mirror image of the R form of lipoic acid and cannot be used by the body, hence it is useless. Thus, 50 mg of R-Lipoic Acid is equivalent to 100 mg of synthetic lipoic acid. "
http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.html
"Normally, only the R-enantiomer of lipoic acid occurs naturally, but the S-enantiomer can assist in the reduction of the R-enantiomer when a racemic mixture is given.[27] However, some recent studies have suggested that the S-enantiomer in fact has an inhibiting effect on the R-enantiomer, reducing its biological activity substantially and actually adding to oxidative stress rather than reducing it. Furthermore, the S-enantiomer has been found to reduce the expression of GLUT4, responsible for glucose uptake in cells, and hence to reduce insulin sensitivity"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipoic_acid
/Netch
Posted by bleauberry on December 23, 2007, at 7:35:20
In reply to Alpha lipoic acid: different forms?, posted by linkadge on December 18, 2007, at 22:38:37
This is off topic from what you are looking for, but the R version of ALA is contraindicated for mercury chelation. It is different than ALA, but not better or worse, just different. In mercury chelation, it is different in a bad way.
Also off topic...it's funny how people who use ALA for health benefits usually take doses like 50mg to 200mg or whatever, once or twice a day. Most people do not realize it has a half life of 3 hours. In mercury chelation it is so powerful in removing mercury from the brain that it is common for doses to be 3mg to 12.5mg taken every 3 hours around the clock including waking up at night. Let the half life expire accidentally and all the mercury the ALA is carrying will be dumped where ever it happens to be. Most toxic people cannot handle more than 3mg to 12.5mg because it feels like crap when that mercury is being removed from longterm storage in cells.
If someone does regular full doses of ALA for general health benefits with no adverse effects, I never thought of it before, but that might be fair indication they do not have a brain mercury problem. On the other hand, with some marked adverse events such as unusual fatigue, foggy headedness, glum mood, that might be a sign of brain mercury.
Anyway, from what I have read the R version of ALA might have some benefits for healthy people. Most of the good research on ALA though has been done with pure ALA.
Posted by Dragon Black on December 23, 2007, at 7:35:21
In reply to Alpha lipoic acid: different forms?, posted by linkadge on December 18, 2007, at 22:38:37
supposedly R is better. Here's a write up that goes into the differences:
http://www.1fast400.com/?products_id=457
Also, if you click on the star-rating, you can read the reviews, and if memory serves some of the reviewers had explanations and such.
Posted by sregan on January 12, 2008, at 22:21:39
In reply to Re: Alpha lipoic acid: different forms?, posted by bleauberry on December 23, 2007, at 7:35:20
> This is off topic from what you are looking for, but the R version of ALA is contraindicated for mercury chelation. It is different than ALA, but not better or worse, just different. In mercury chelation, it is different in a bad way.
Link,
ALA is something to be VERY cautious with if you might be mercury toxic. ALA is one of the few substances that can mobilize mercury to/from the brain. A lot of people have seriously damaged themselves with this stuff.
Posted by Sigismund on January 19, 2008, at 1:34:16
In reply to Re: Alpha lipoic acid: ...be careful!!! » bleauberry, posted by sregan on January 12, 2008, at 22:21:39
Oh my goodness.
I (kind of) take it for granted that I have mercury toxicity (in which case why don't I have my amalgams out?)
And I have taken a fair bit of ALA, on and off.
Well well well.
Posted by iforgotmypassword on February 19, 2008, at 12:24:00
In reply to Re: Alpha lipoic acid: ...be careful!!! » bleauberry, posted by sregan on January 12, 2008, at 22:21:39
Posted by iforgotmypassword on February 19, 2008, at 17:12:27
In reply to Re: Alpha lipoic acid: ...be careful!!! » bleauberry, posted by sregan on January 12, 2008, at 22:21:39
Posted by Chadwp on July 18, 2008, at 11:54:53
In reply to Alpha lipoic acid: different forms?, posted by linkadge on December 23, 2007, at 7:35:20
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 and 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.
This is the end of the thread.
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