Hi.

I just switched yesterday from alpha lipoic acid 600 mg a day to Doctor's Best R-Lipoic acid 100 mg a day. I now seem to be having acid reflux issues. Started last night. I didn't notice any of this while I was on the alpha lipoic acid, so I'm definitely thinking there is a connection to the r-lipoic. I wanted to switch over to it though because I had read good things about it here (being more potent, needing less, etc.)

Does anyone else have any issues with acid reflux while taking r-lipoic acid? Any suggestions on how to combat that? I thought I was supposed to take r-lipoic acid on an empty stomach to increase its effectiveness. Should I be taking it with food due to my acid reflux issues?

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions. I'd hate to quit on this r-lipoic after just a couple of days.

Oh, and the reason for taking it is to try and help my small fiber neuropathy.

YES.

I made a post about this exact thing awhile back. I have a bottle of it and can't use it. Kicked up my acid reflux HORRID.

I'm sad.

p.s. nothing I did helped so i gave up. NOT WORTH IT.

Here is the post where we talked about it:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ight=Stacy2012

Are you taking it with enough water?

R-lipoic is not in its acid form when using the stabilized type.

It is lipoate.

You can try taking some antacid a few minutes before the R-lipoic.

Food does impair the ALA racemic mixture (which is not very soluble), but it may not be such a factor for the new NaRALA which is very soluble. A light meal might work too.

If the capsule does not move down to the bottom of the stomach, it might dissolve near the esophagus, and if you have minor irritations there from other things, it might also irritate.
Most things do irritate the esophagus.

I knew a doctor once who swallowed a tetracycline capsule without water... and he burned his esophagus which took over
2 weeks to heal!

I would expect the higher dose old ALA versions to be much more irritating, since they are in the acidic form.

I took ALA without any problems. I don't take it anymore just because I didn't see that it did much and wanted to spend the money on other things. But ALA never caused acid reflux with me.

Yes, alpha lipoic acid gives me intense heartburn every time. I have to take it with a lot of water and a little food.
I wonder if taking an antacid would hinder its absorption. I suggest doing a little research there.
Good luck

Feather, ALA or R-Lipoic??

You said ALA instead of R-lipoic, I thought it was the other way around for you????

I have acid reflux seriously. Went to Barretts esophagus. I had to give up that suppliment. It made it worse. ginnie

Certainly if something is bothering, you --- take a good look at it and the situation.

ALA is not so important, that anyone HAS to take it. So if it gives you heartburn, stop it for a while. But don't throw it out yet.
Whatever is going on may change. If you have heartburn from other things, it is time to see a doctor. Heartburn can be lifestyle triggered. Or it can be a serious sign to see your doctor.
In my case I got Prilosec. But in reality by coincidence, the essential fatty acids cured it as I was low.

Intolerance to lipoic acid, might point to something else going on that needs looking into.

It is the same with foods that we are intolerant of, and also
DRUGs that cause all sorts of grief.

Thanks for the responses, everyone.

I probably will try giving up the R-Lipoic starting tomorrow and see if I can get this acid reflux situation under control.

I may try it again in the future just to see what happens.