Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)
Thioctic acid
Supplements. Modern nutrition.
Also called ALA, Lipoic acid
Pinyin: liú xīn suān
Spanish: Ácido alfa-lipoico
Can lower blood sugarA compound the body makes in small amounts to help cells make energy, sold as a supplement for nerve symptoms and blood sugar.
Did you know? Alpha-lipoic acid is made in tiny amounts inside mitochondria, the parts of cells that make energy.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Nerve health. Germany uses IV ALA for nerve pain and numbness from diabetes. Oral forms show smaller and mixed results in trials.Early proof
- Blood sugar. Small trials suggest it may help the body respond better to insulin. Results are small and inconsistent.Early proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
ALA has no folk history as a supplement. In Germany, it is a prescription IV medicine for nerve pain and numbness from diabetes.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Antioxidant, Nutritive. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Oral studies often used 300 to 600 mg a day. German IV treatments used about 600 mg a day for several weeks under medical care.
Capsule and tablet.
Where to get it
The body makes a little ALA, and small amounts are found in spinach, broccoli and organ meats such as liver. Supplements come as capsules and tablets, sold in stores and online.
Be careful
Common side effects are upset stomach, nausea and skin rash. It can lower blood sugar, so people on diabetes medicines need close monitoring. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not well studied, so avoid them.
Avoid if: pregnancy; low blood sugar.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both support energy production in cells and are often sold together in antioxidant blends.
- Use cautionDiabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Can lower blood sugar and add to diabetes medicines. Check levels closely.
Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.
The honest take
The strongest proof is for IV ALA in Germany, which is a medical treatment and not an everyday supplement. Oral supplements have small or mixed trials. Claims about weight loss and anti-aging are mostly unproven.