Alpha Lipoic Acid Dosage Guidelines & Dangers of Using Too Much

The recommended Alpha Lipoic Acid dosage will depend on why this supplement is being used and who is taking it.

ALA supplements have been used to promote weight loss, improve skin health, as an antioxidant for healthy aging, to support blood sugar regulation and for heart health.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is naturally produced within the body but using oral dietary supplements may have additional benefits for certain people. These supplements are recognized as possibly safe when used appropriately, according to the Natural Medicines Database.

However, ALA may still cause side effects and adverse reactions for some consumers. For this reason, it is important to take the proper alpha lipoic acid dosage at all times.

Furthermore, how you take Alpha Lipoic Acid and which form of the supplement you use can affect your results. Some ways of using this supplement are more effective than others.

In order to determine the proper alpha lipoic acid dosage, consumers are encouraged to consider dosages that have been well tolerated in past research studies, as well as the recommendations provided by the supplement’s manufacturer and the consumer’s physician.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Anti-Oxidant Supplement

Anti- Oxidant

Blood Sugar

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Neutralizes free radicals & oxidative damage
• Regulate blood glucoses levels
• Supports mitochondrial energy metabolism

Dosage:

Between 300 - 1,200 mg per day

Safety:

Generally Well Tolerated

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Alpha Lipoic Acid Uses and Effects

In the body, Alpha Lipoic Acid functions as a coenzyme that plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates from food that we eat.

Endogenous Alpha Lipoic Acid is found in high amounts in the mitochondria of our cells. These are our cellular power plants, involved in generating energy to fuel everything that we do.

ALA is important for the citric acid cycle, which is the series of chemical reactions that produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of our body.

When taken from supplemental sources, researchers have found that ALA may have several important effects on the body.

For example, studies have shown that this supplement may reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, lower blood sugar, prevent nerve dysfunction and support healthy plasma lipid levels.

In people who are overweight, use of Alpha Lipoic Acid tablets has been shown to reduce food consumption, improve energy expenditure and promote fat loss.

The Natural Medicines Database reports that ALA may be used for many different purposes, including diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Lyme disease, Wilson’s disease, cardiovascular disease, HIV, cataracts, neuropathy and more.

These supplements have also been used to promote cognitive function, mood balance, energy levels, and to improve the appearance of facial wrinkles and skin damage caused by the sun.

Although the results of research studies support some of these uses, other users require more research evidence to validate health claims made.

Recommended Alpha Lipoic Acid Dose

Because ALA supplements have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of any condition or ailment, standardized dosing guidelines are not available.

Some of the alpha lipoic acid that your body needs is derived from dietary sources. Dietary sources rich in this substance include brewer’s yeast, broccoli and spinach.

However, some people choose to take this substance in the form of a supplement to increase their daily intake for added health benefits.

The typical dosage range for this product as an oral dietary supplement is between 300-1800 mg daily, split into 1-3 dosages per day. It should be consumed on an empty stomach to maximize absorption from the gut.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, only approximately 30% of the ALA consumed from foods or supplements is absorbed by the body. It then gets reduced to dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) and distributed throughout our tissues.

NMCD states that taking this supplement on a full stomach can reduce the absorption from the gut by up 30%.

Furthermore, the active R(+)alpha-lipoic acid has almost twice the bioavailability of the inactive S(-) form. Most supplement manufacturers sell a combination form of this ingredient that contains both the R- and S- forms of the supplement, but there are some brands that sell pure R-Lipoic Acid.

How Much ALA to Take Per Day

To reduce the risk of side effects, it is important to know how much alpha lipoic acid to take per day for your needs. Below are some of the dosages that have been well tolerated in clinical trials.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Dosage for Weight Loss

In studies exploring the efficacy of ALA supplements for weight loss, consumers have taken dosages of 400 to 600 mg of this supplement three times daily 30 minutes before meals for a maximum of 20 weeks.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Dosage for Diabetes

Subjects in studies related to diabetes have taken 300 to 1,800 mg of this supplement daily for up to two years, either in a single daily dose or in divided doses.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Dosage for Neuropathy

Subjects in past research studies involving neuropathy have taken dosages ranging from 600 mg of ALA to 1,800 mg of ALA. This amount was taken in divided doses daily for a maximum of four years.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Dosage for Liver Health

Some studies have indicated that alpha lipoic acid may protect the liver against certain illnesses caused by oxidative stress. When it has been taken as an antioxidant in past research studies, dosages of 300 mg to 1,200 mg daily were used for up to six months.

Additional Suggested Dosages

Some of the other dosages of ALA used in research studies include:

• Wound healing: A dosage of 300 mg of ALA before each hyperbaric oxygen session.
• Sciatica: A daily dosage of 600 mg of ALA for up to 60 days.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: 300 mg of ALA three times daily for 12 weeks.
• Peripheral artery disease: 600 mg of ALA in two divided doses daily for up to three months.
• Burning in the mouth: 200 mg to 800 mg of ALA daily for up to three months.
• Migraine: 600 mg of ALA daily for up to three months.
• Lipid lowering: 600 mg of ALA daily for up to 16 weeks.
• Kidney disease: 600 mg of ALA daily for 8 to 12 weeks.
• Inflammation: 300 mg to 600 mg of ALA daily for up to three months.
• Improving blood flow: 600 mg to 1,800 mg of ALA daily for an unknown duration.
• Hypertension: 600 mg of ALA daily for up to eight weeks.
• HIV: 300 mg of ALA three times daily for up to six months.
• Glaucoma: 150 mg of ALA for one month.
• Bone density: 600 mg of ALA twice daily for one year.

Keep in mind that, even though the dosages above were well tolerated by subjects in research studies, they are not necessarily appropriate for everyone.

If you are planning to begin an ALA supplement regimen, talk to your doctor to determine the appropriate alpha lipoic acid dosage for you. If you experience any serious side effects while taking this supplement, seek medical advice and/or treatment.

Possible Side Effects of Using Too Much

ALA supplements have been well tolerated in most clinical trials. The most common side effects associated with this supplement are dizziness and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Some people have also reported hair loss and hypothyroidism, especially with high dosages. Some studies have also shown that high dosages of ALA supplements may damage the liver.

Taking too much of this supplement is potential dangerous in children. In one instance, a 20 month-old infant took a single dose of 2400 mg and experienced seizures, vomiting, and unconsciousness. Do not give this supplement to babies or young children without first consulting with a doctor.

There is concern that an overdose of ALA may cause a trace element deficiency in patients with diabetes mellitus. Essential trace elements include zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), iodine (I), manganese (Mn), and molybdenum (Mo).

Based on laboratory studies, extremely high doses of ALA could cause fatal toxicity in subjects who are deficient in thiamine. If you have been prescribed a high dose of this supplement by your doctor, ask about whether a thiamine supplement would be appropriate to take with it.

To avoid serious issues, do not take more than the recommended amount of Alpha Lipoic Acid supplements for your health needs.

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