Dr's Best Dr"s Best - Best Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid (60 VGC)
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA, thioctic acid) is a naturally occurring vitamin-like nutrient that has been intensely investigated as a beneficial agent for a variety of bodily functions involving the nervous, cardiovascular, immune, and detoxification systems. It exists as two enantiomers or stereoisomers: R-(+)-lipoic acid (RLA) and S-(-)-lipoic acid (SLA). It is produced in small amounts in the liver and other body tissues, where it is needed by enzymes to catalyze numerous essential chemical reactions in the body. For instance, ALA is essential inside the mitochondria of cells, where it is needed to metabolize glucose and direct calories into energy production.
ALA is considered to be a multimodal supplement because, aside from its enzymatic role in energy production, it acts by multiple mechanisms and displays diverse health-enhancing and antioxidant properties. Recently discovered is ALA’s ability to regulate several genes linked to cell survival and oxidative stress. Therefore, in addition to its enzymatic role, ALA is a powerful antioxidant and performs a number of other vital functions related to its ability to modify the expression of various genes. Supplementing with ALA is, therefore, not so much a direct benefit to cells, but rather an indirect aid that effectively "kick starts" declining function, helping cells recover functionality that came more easily and naturally in youth.
What is Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid?
ALA exists in two forms, designated as “R-lipoic acid” and “S-lipoic acid.” R-lipoic acid (RLA) is naturally synthesized by humans, animals and plants. S-lipoic acid is formed during chemical synthesis of alpha lipoic acid, which produces a mixture of the two mirror-image compounds containing equal parts of each. This “racemic” mixture is the product used most often in human clinical studies on ALA, although other forms have recently become available and are beginning to be the preferred form of many ALA researchers.
Best Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid contains BioEnhanced™ Na-RALA, the sodium salt of R-Lipoic acid. Pure RLA is a very unstable molecule that has a tendency to polymerize with exposure to heat, light and moisture, turning into a sticky and ineffective product. It is also hygroscopic, or water seeking. This presents problems for those wishing to supplement with pure RLA, since any of these conditions can lead to deactivation of the beneficial activity of lipoic acid.
Unlike pure RLA, BioEnhanced™ Na-RALA is a stabilized form of RLA that will not polymerize at high temperatures, is more bioavailable and has no solvent residues. On a weight basis Na-RALA reaches a much higher maximum concentration in human plasma. Stability, pharmacokinetic, plasma and tissue studies reveal that commonly used 'raw' (unstabilized) R-Lipoic Acid utilized in most commercially available RLA products has very low GI absorption and bioavailability, significantly lower than even the mass-produced racemic mixture of R,S-ALA.
Na-RALA requires no refrigeration and has a shelf life of at least 3 years without polymerization. Solid R-Lipoic Acid is prone to quickly polymerize upon exposure to heat, light, and moisture. In addition, RLA is poorly soluble in water, whereas Na-RALA is completely water-soluble.
Ingredient Details:Supplement Facts
Serving Size 1 Capsule 1
Servings Per Container 60 servings
D-Biotin 150mcg
R-Lipoic acid 100mg
Other Ingredients
Modified cellulose (Vegetarian capsule), rice powder, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium stearate (vegetable source),and silicon dioxide.
Expert Advice:BenefitsPrevents oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals and enhancing the antioxidant activity of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and glutathione.
Supports eye, nerve, and brain health.
May help maintain healthy glucose metabolism
Resets and no
Suggested Use:One to two capsules daily, or as directed by a health care professional.
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