How would you rate R-Lipoic Acid ?
 

Has any one here really noticed much off a difference since taking R-Lipoic Acid ?

I started R-lipoic acid, along with several other supplements, in Oct. '09, so it's difficult to tell "What's doing what". My neuropathy (idiopathic/?re. to Paxil withdrawal) seems to have been relatively stable since then. My symptoms, which are predominately numbness/tingling/shooting sensations, do, however, tend to wax and wane. During the last few days, the discomfort in my feet has increased, so I'm thinking of increasing the dose of R-lipoic from 100mg to 300mg daily. Any one have experience with lower vs. higher doses? Mrs. D, what are your thoughts? If I were to increase the dose, would it be better to take it as one dose or in 3 divided doses? Sorry to sought of "hijack" the thread....Thanks.

I took it for over a year. I did not see much effect for my issues.
100mg a day. Of course I am not getting "worse". I cut back on it basically because I needed that money in my budget for the d-chiro inositol I take now. (over $50 a month just for that one).

If I were working and bringing in money to our budget, I'd still take it. It is mostly of benefit for mitochondrial problems, and works also an as antioxidant. If you don't use any other antioxidant, (like I do), it is valuable for that.

As you raise the dose, I'd watch for blood sugar changes. For that reason, I'd space the doses at least twice a day. You might get one huge sugar dip with taking it all at once. The alpha lipoic has recommendations to take in divided doses, so I'd do the same with the r- form. The r-form is too new to appear much in the reference literature, yet.

d-chiro inositol ??

Are you using that for neuroapthy or something other syndrome ?

never heard of it before.

d-chiro inositol is a form of myo-inositol and is for maintaining a healthy blood sugar. I have insulin resistance and a high fasting insulin, and also had PCOS when I was younger.

They are using d-chiro for PCOS and blood sugar control. It can be almost as good as glucophage (metformin).

So indirectly it is good for diabetic patients. I've been using it for a year now, and it keeps my A1c in range.

maybe worse
 

I actually think I feel worse on lipoic acid than not. I think my thyroid values seem to get lower when I take lipoic acid, and even though my doctor has looked this up, and it doesn't really make sense, it has happened twice that on the same dose of thyroid meds my T3 levels have gotten lower when I take lipoic acid and I feel worse.

I've taken just 50 mg. per day of R Lipoic for about two weeks so it's too early to tell.

MrsD, I am really interested in avoiding metformin for my insulin resistance...I took it for only a few days and had to stop because of its horrible impact on my GI tract. My PCP insists that it's the gold standard and says if I give it a month, the nasty s/e will fade away. But I'm not willing to suffer that long.

How much of the chiro inositol do you take on a daily basis? Is that the only thing you take to stabilize your blood glucose? If not, what else do you recommend to lower the A1c?

I take 1200mg a day of the d-chiro inositol.
I have no side effects at all!
I use Chiral Balance brand.
This will also reduce androgens, if you are elevated with those too. Excess facial hair and oily skin/hair go away with this supplement. So there are some cosmetic improvements which are very nice IMO.

Some papers:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16443877

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16822203

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11900279

It is becoming more obvious in the research community why sugar and fructose are causing insulin resistance and diabetes with obesity.
Please read this thread and watch the video...which is long, but very good:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread116672.html

I noticed it help me a lot a what point in the early days but not really so noticable now since things have changed - hence my interest in R-lipoic.

The main thing thats been recently helping me is Bacopa.

Ashwagandha is something else ( along with lithium orotate ) Id like to try.

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/...t_ashwa_01.htm

Wow! I just finished the Lustig video. He disputes so much conventional diet wisdom in an interesting, lively way. The main problem is, in recognizing that fructose is omnipresent in US diets, how do we avoid it? I don't drink soda or alcohol but I do eat sweets & I love bread (baguettes, rolls, bagels). So now I need to double my efforts to reduce fructose consumption and study nutrition labels more carefully. Plus, of course, start on the d chiro inositol.

Thanks so much for the valuable links.

Fructose is not that hard to eliminate. When I think back when I was a child, and given tons of sweets by parents who didn't want me around etc...my future seemed destined then! But I didn't drink sodas that often. As an adult I do "diet" versions of all drinks. I use Splenda in my tea. (always watching my weight and fighting that destiny).

I still have a tiny bit of chocolate now and then, and an occasional nutritional bar which has some sugar but not high amounts. But did you know there is Heinz Ketchup with splenda now? Also low sugar tomato sauces.

Two years ago I went on a low fructose diet when I accidentally discovered it was causing IBS type symptoms for me. Even jam and jelly are out of my diet now! I do have complex carbs, and some pasta once or twice a week. Its been over 2 yrs since I stopped the sugar/fructose. I found I could have one orange daily and not get sick again. But other fruit is out. I use Ester C daily instead.
I do eat veggies, and fresh tomatoes. My GI problems, gas, and pain are gone now.

I think we will see a new turn around on sugar soon. The first step is the removal of sugared sodas from schools, which is beginning now in some states.

Following a diet like Sugar Busters, or The Zone can help you. Balancing protein and good fats, using nuts for snacks, etc will help.

Yes the Lustig video with the revelation of sugar in baby formula, was totally mind blowing!
Getting rid of ALL sugar is rather difficult, but I've done quite a bit, and when I tried a small sample of a new snack bar at Costco the other day, it was cloyingly sweet and nauseating!
My tastes have changed considerably! You do it slowly day by day.

I don't know if this would appeal to you mrsD, but I have a new, childish treat! I make chocolate "milk" with Almond Breeze and chocolate syrup that I make with unsweetened cocoa powder, water, a dash of vanilla, and Splenda. Simmer for a few minutes and store it in a small jar in the fridge--it keeps for several weeks. Of course you could use the no-sugar syrup with non-fat milk or soy milk as well.

To keep away from sugar I make granola with lots of nuts carob chips (they are naturally sweet) and I have been using "Agave" wich is supposed to be much better than sugar I hope. I also use almond butter to get it to stick together. Sometimes throw in dried cranberries. It's not totally sugar free, but it keeps me away from the office donuts and other junk that is all around.

sometimes i eat a scoop of almond butter sprinkled with carob chips. It fools you into thinking you are eating chocolate and peanut butter. Very yummy, especially with milk almond milk in this case.