The standard one
Alpha-lipoic acid (R/S mix)
The form used in most studies. Inexpensive and easy to find.
Good for: Budget-friendly
What variations of alpha-lipoic acid exist?
An antioxidant your cells use to make energy. It's mainly used to support blood sugar balance and nerve health. It comes in 3 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
- Also consider
- Easy on the stomach: the slow-release one (Sustained-release ALA)
Every form, in plain words
The standard one
Alpha-lipoic acid (R/S mix)
The form used in most studies. Inexpensive and easy to find.
Good for: Budget-friendly
The natural one
R-lipoic acid or stabilized R-lipoate
The natural form. Your body may use it better, but it costs more.
The slow-release one
Sustained-release ALA
Releases slowly, which may help with stomach upset.
Good for: Easy on the stomach
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Alpha-lipoic acid' on the label (the standard one)
Watch out for
- 'ALA' on a label can also mean alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fat. Check the full name.
Check with your provider first if…
- You have diabetes, or take insulin or other medicine that lowers blood sugar
- You take thyroid medicine, since it may affect thyroid hormone levels
- You drink heavily or are low in thiamine (vitamin B1)
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding
- You're in cancer treatment. Ask your oncology team before adding antioxidants.
In Dr. Lesher's store
2 products in Dr. Lesher's dispensary have alpha-lipoic acid. Here's which form, where the label says.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
Codeage
M-Burn Optimized
150 mg per serving
Patient One MediNutritionals
NerveCare
200 mg per serving
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.