What it is
Regulatory status: dietary supplement in the US; drug status and approved uses vary by country
Mechanism evidence: human
At a glance
What it is, why people use it, the evidence, and what to know before trying it.
Why people use it
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy symptom relief
- Glucose and oxidative-stress support
Evidence at a glance
Human trials are most relevant to diabetic neuropathy, where oral results are mixed and should not be generalized to broad longevity or recovery claims.
Confidence: weak
Safety & interactions
Known side effects, interactions and use limits from reviewed sources.
ALA can cause nausea, vomiting, and low blood glucose. People using glucose-lowering medicines, with thyroid disease, or at risk of thiamine deficiency should review use with a clinician.
- Use caution with hypoglycemia or thiamine deficiency
- glucose-lowering medicines
- thyroid medicines
Forms and variants
This review does not automatically apply to:
- R-alpha-lipoic acid
- stabilized sodium R-lipoate
Seen in protocols
Public protocols that include Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). Open one to see the full context and source.