R-Lipoic-Acid
 

I plan to introduce it soon, and I'm wondering how much the absorption will be affected by taking it with food. I'm not sure I have a free slot away from meals to take it, since I place to take herbal antibiotics too and would like to prioritize that. In the morning I take B12 about 30-60 minutes before breakfast. Well, perhaps I should ask how much time I need from meals, whether before or after, when taking R-Lipoic-Acid. Thanks.

The stabilized for should not be affected much by food. It dissolves quickly and blood tests done by the company showed it appearing in the blood within 1/2 hour of taking. Some people get heartburn from this, and so take it with a light meal, if that happens.
http://geronova.com/consumers/differ...f-lipoic-acid/

The food warning pertains to the old racemic version which is poorly soluble. That type showed up to 30% reduction of absorption with food. (the reference for this is on the Linus Pauling Institutes's lipoic acid page).

Thank you as always, MrsD. I think I'll take my 100 mg of stabilized R with food, either lunch or dinner in that case. I would rather have a little less absorption and avoid potential stomach upset, if the difference is negligible.

I take it both ways and have found it to be effective on pain. I recommend the LifeExtension brand since it has a nice strong dose. I used to use Doctors Best version but for some reason i like the LE a tad better. They seem to use the same form of R-Lipoic so it is probably because it has a stronger dose per pill. If you go with Doctors best you may just need to take more pills. Wish this stuff would come down in price already.

Thanks, Patrick. It is pricey for sure. In fact, the one I have and will try is even more expensive: http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Encapsula...+r+lipoic+acid. It's more expensive and a lower dose, but it's just purer, no rice flour, which is something I avoid - as you know, I avoid all grains. I'll let you know how it goes. If the vitamin D takes and all is good, I could start it as early as next week.

Mine is 100 mg and I thought I'd start with 100 only once a day. How many a day do you take of the Life Extension, which is about 240 mg, it seems?

I was sticking with the LE and Doctors best for my R-Lipoic acid because their supplier GERONOVA is considered a reputable source. They may be in the product you ordered as well and that company just doesnt point it out, they dont have to. I personally take a pretty high dose now. I take the one 240 in the morning. I may even take another at dinner time. Most days i don't but some days i do and i swear i notice a difference. When i was at lower doses i didn't see as much relief.

I actually right now have been off R-Lipoic Acid for just two days and my burning aspect of this has returned. So, i got my order in to Amazon right quick.

I also have found in my case that the combo of Benfotiamine and R-Lipoic makes for the best pain relief and has allowed me to stay off gabapentin almost completely. I take a host of other supplements but those two are KEY for me in terms of relieving pain.

Stay strong and kudos to you for trying supplementation instead of running for the pills which are a last resort.

Thanks, Patrick. I see your point about the source material. I wrote PE just now asking whether they get it from Geronova. I'll let you know. They have very high quality products, so I'm not concerned, but one should never just depend on a brand/be brand loyal and should always inquire. So thanks for the heads up.

It seems like it really works for you. I hope for the same. I'll let you know how it goes. I'll start with one capsule (100 mg) with lunch, and if all goes well, I'll graduate to a second with dinner. I'm hoping it decreases the damage and perhaps allows me to heal. I'll take it with Benfo and NAC. Have you tried NAC? As I mentioned in an earlier thread, it's done wonders for me, and it's inexpensive. Might be worth a try. I use the mixed one from NOW.

I'm sorry you've been experiencing some more symptoms, but glad to hear the fix is in the mail. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I couldn't agree with you more about keeping it as natural as possible. Pharmaceuticals are just poison, sometimes necessary sure, but that doesn't make those chemical cocktails any less poisonous. I will do all that is in my power to keep off them, and boy oh boy have I been offered a host of them. In general, out here it's not as bad as the US when it comes to pushing meds on patients, but there is a saying among nurses: doctors prescribe, nurses provide.

So far in general things seem to be improving, though it depends on the day and the symptoms, I guess, but I take it in 6 months spurts or blocks, and now I'm far better off than 6 months ago, even though my face/head symptoms are more present. Anyway, I'll let you know how this new addition goes.

If one is achieving health improvements with our supplements I don't complain about price...when I think of my sister who talked about the $25K prices on MS drugs over the years and sadly she did not improve...my monthly ouputs are nothing.

A few years ago I considered Celebrex didn't really want to try it as I know about side effects and due to it's cost, I said "forget it"... I think back then it would cost me like $120/mo and then a generic came out and it was like $80/month. I'll leave this earth not trying celebrex. Many years ago I ended up in the ER with stomach ulcer from another pharma anti inflammatory....so it's good I couldn't afford celebrex...why take a chance again.

For me my supplements are necessary and so much other "stuff" is not necessary. We can't put a price on good/better health.

I'm a fan of companies that are transparent. Pure Encapsulations has very high quality products and is transparent about every thing that goes into their products including their source, or so I thought. I suppose there's a limit to transparency, when there's a profit to be made or for some other unjustified reason.

Patrick, my question was answered with this, so I can't be sure: "Pure Encapsulations R-lipoic acid is not the Geronova brand. Unfortunately, we are not able to disclose suppliers."

If it does not say "stabilized" on the R-lipoic description, it probably isn't...and therefore very poor if any absorption.

It does say it's stabilized. I was just trying to find the source and make sure. So I will try it, given my experience with their products so, and see what comes of it.

Stomach/GI upset
 

Has anyone experienced constipation taking R-Lipoic? I started taking it on Saturday, took 200 mg, 100 with lunch and 100 with dinner, then another 100 with lunch on Sunday and then again yesterday. This morning I had some stomach upset (though I somewhat felt this even yesterday), and last night and this morning I felt some pain and constipation. I'm not sure what's going on. Is it drawing out heavy metals or something? I've heard it can work as a chelating agent. I've also heard of general stomach upset being common. Mrs.D, anyone, any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

I have no idea. Most who complain about NaRala, say they get heartburn. The lower GI I have not seen mentioned.

I think one dose of 100mg of the new stabilized is enough for most people. Those with diabetes might want to go up to 200mg a day.

Right. My not very scientific thinking was that perhaps it was chelating stuff and so the GI was getting slowed down so to speak. Really not sure though.

What would be considered a good starting dose of Benfotiamine? Which brand is recommended?

Thanks so much,

Kay

I started with 80 mg twice a day, very low and slow, but also because I could only find 80 mg capsules. Then I found the very cheap Doctor's Best, which is pretty much lacking from fillers and the like, especially the problematic ones, and went to 150 mg twice a day. About a few weeks later I went to 300 mg twice a day and have stayed at that dose for many months now with what seem to be good results. One time I went higher and say no benefit and perhaps some side effects, but I can't be sure. I plan to stay at 600 mg a day, given how cheap and seemingly useful it has proven. Good luck!

My personal experience with Stabilized version has shown that either on empty stomach or full stomach i get the same results. I also find taking it alongside Benfotiamine is the most effective dosing for keeping pain receptors ay bay. Probably because of its ability to keep insulin levels down. As mentioned above if the R-Lipoic Acid is not working, up the dosage. My issue has been that these supplements help with pain but also make it difficult for me to gain weight because my glucose levels rarely go above the low 100s. I am currently underweight but have pain at a managed level. All my doctors tell me to gain weight. Kind of difficult when it would involve allowing myself to feel a lot of pain to do so.