Jarrow Formulas R-Alpha Lipoic Acid, 60 Count

View larger Product Profile Most alpha lipoic acid (ALA) products contain a racemic mixture of R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA) and S-Alpha Lipoic Acid (S-ALA). Generally, equal amounts of R- and S- forms are produced during the manufacturing process of alpha lipoic acid, and thus, these products contain R-ALA and S-ALA in an equal ratio of 1:1. However, R-ALA is the only form of lipoic acid that is endogenously synthesized in humans and other organisms. Human pharmacokinetic studies have shown that peak concentrations of R-ALA are 40-50% higher than S-ALA after oral supplementation of racemic preparations, suggesting that R-ALA may have better absorption and bioavailability. In animal studies, R-ALA supplementation has shown better biological effects such as insulin-stimulated glucose transport, glucose metabolism, and antioxidative status. Thus, R-ALA may provide superior health benefits compared to racemic mixtures (R-ALA and S-ALA) or S-ALA alone.*

Distinguishing Features:

• The Only Naturally Occurring Form of Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Heat and Shelf Stable
• High Bioavailability
• The Universal Antioxidant + Biotin* View larger Powerful Antioxidant R-ALA works in many ways to enhance cellular antioxidant status.* For example, supplementation of lipoic acid significantly increases biosynthesis of glutathione, a potent antioxidant that protects cells from reactive oxygen species. In vitro studies have shown that lipoic acid stimulates the expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase, the rate limiting enzyme in the glutathione synthesis pathway, as well as cellular uptake of cysteine, an amino acid required for glutathione synthesis, resulting in an overall increase in intracellular glutathione by 30-70%.*

Some of the R-ALA absorbed from the diet or synthesized in the body can be converted into DHLA (dihydrolipoic acid), the active-antioxidant form of R-ALA. Studies have shown that DHLA plays a key role in recycling many antioxidants