I just read a thread and was wondering what the differences are between these two? I have been taking alpha lipoic but have just run out. I could start the r lipoic but have never heard of it except for here. Any good advice?

I currently take 600mg in one dose/day of the alpha. It's not cheap though!
I think mrsD said the R was newer and possibly better? Please let me know! Thanks!

Geraldine

--the R-lipoic acid is composed entirely of the right-handed isomer (shape) of the lipoic acid molecule, which is the one that is active in the body.

Alpha lipoic contains both the left and right-handed isomers, so one is actually paying somewhat for something the body can't absorb. The ability of manufacturers to isolate the right-handed isomer is fairly recent.

Because R-lipoic contains only the active isomer, one can use it in considerably smaller amounts than alpha lipoic to get a similar effect, which helps those who find large doses of alpha lipoic too acidy. A ratio of 1:6 is often cited--100mg of R-lipoic is roughly equivalent in effect to 600mg of alpha lipoic.

R-lipoic is the active portion of the alpha racemic mixture.
This was discovered quite a while ago.

There are two R-lipoic type supplements. One is called "stabilized" which means it is water soluble and much much better absorbed. This is a vast improvement.

You can continue the old one if you want... and pay the high price for it when it doesn't work as well. It MUST be taken on an empty stomach as it is not absorbed well either.

Or for less money you can take the improved version.

Doctor's Best brand is affordable and has "stabilized" in it 100mg per capsule. In fine print is the chemical name for stabilized= NaRALA.

http://www.iherb.com/Doctor-s-Best-B...ie-Caps/4?at=0

Older version=needs 600mg 3 times a day for best effectiveness.
R-lipoic stabilized needs 100mg daily (you can take more if you want to, but it can work at this dose well).

So you can decide what you want to do.

Many of our supplements that work for PN... are not advertised on TV or in magazines. This does not mean anything. Advertising in fact can mean a snake oil thing with a high price at times, because advertising costs alot of money!
People have become used to advertising... and while it can be a good thing...it is not always.