--do take it with food, as it does tend to make the stomach mroe acidic, to the point of discomfort for some.

One can also try R-lipoic, the newer, active isomer of alpha lipoic, which, due to this, can be taken in smaller doses for a similar effect, which cuts down on the acidity. I've found 100mg R-lipoic seems to work, for me, about the same as 600mg of alpha, and the acidity is correspondingly less.