2 replies to this topic

[Sillewater]

I know that many people support the use of the R+ form but I was wondering if there was anything new coming out showing for certain its superiority. Previously on this forum Blue has pointed out a study (4) which was quoted by Niner showing that racemic was better than the R+ form alone. Other studies comparing just R- vs. S- form isn't fair because S- form by itself probably doesn't do much. In an older paper (1) the metabolism of the different forms were looked at in vitro and it was found that there is some interaction and it seems that the R form could catalyze the reduction of the S form into dihydrolipoic acid and they also cite the Maitra paper (that Blue introduced in the link above).

Davin8r over at M&M also discusses the research and what he says makes a lot of sense. However Geronova (3) has many articles about the benefits of R+ (I reviewed the papers a while ago but can't remember if they provide convincing evidence that S form inhibits R form benefits, I'm especially interested in the Nrf2 stuff).

Just wondering if anyone else has seen any new research that is convincing?

[Edit]: Also MR uses the R+ form (5)


References

1. Biewenga, G. P., Haenen, G. R. M. M., Groen, B. H., Biewenga, J. E., van Grondelle, R. and Bast, A. (1997), Combined non-enzymatic and enzymatic reduction favors bioactivation of racemic lipoic acid: an advantage of a racemic drug?. Chirality, 9: 362–366.
2. http://www.mindandmu...dpost__p__52700
3. http://www.geronova....mer-lipoic-acid
4. http://www.longecity...200#entry357200
5. http://www.longecity...ills-fall-2009/

Edited by Sillewater, 06 April 2011 - 04:22 AM.

[shaggy]

I have found NA R-ALA much morer effective at keeping my body fat in check no matter what I eat as compared to plain ALA, even with ALA at double the dosage. Only anecdotal of course...

Anyone in the know want to chip in?

[J. Galt]

IMO R-ALA is a waste of money, you can get the same amount of it by simply doubling the dose of the much cheaper racemic form. Unless there is some negative effect from the S isomer that I'm unaware of - I think it's basically inactive, not particularly beneficial, but overall pretty benign - I see no reason to pay 3-5x more for R-lipoic.

I concur with Shaggy that Na R-ALA is far superior to R and racemic forms (the excellent articles and blog posts on Geronova's website are indeed quite illuminating here), though in my case I'm not convinced that it's superior enough to justify the disproportionately higher cost within my limited budget. The difference is roughly $40/month, which IME can be much better spent elsewhere in my regimen. But if cost is not an issue, I would absolutely go for the NaR-ALA.

Does anyone here disagree with this position?