ALA question
 

Hi

Is it possible that Alpha Lipoic Acid can cause hair thinning? Could taking biotin help? I have read that taking both actually compete in the body and they should not be taken at the same time. I have noticed that my hair has thinned since taking both ALA and L-Carnite for 2 months.

Cheers Sue:)

RLA is essential for life, so I doubt that it has any deleterious effects. It's believed RLA and biotin may share the same transport mechanism, so taking them a few hours apart has been suggested.

Doc

Thanks it's just l have noticed my hair has really thinned out, so l wonder if taking some biotin will help with this? Giving it a go anyway, and will see what happens.

Do you know if it is better to take Lipoic Acid and L-Carnite at the same time or a few hours apart? I normally have them on an empty stomach and a few hours apart, but not sure if this is really necessary or even if it's better to be taken together?

Thanks for taking the time to answer back, l hope you are feeling well.


Sue:)

I take the the ALA and l carnitine (Carnitine) at the same time. I take a LOT of supplements that have done amazing things for me. My doctors know what they are doing, SO rare. I take them on a schedule, three times a day.:) I am on a new supplement for my eyes. My eyes are fine, and I want to keep them that way!:)

I think together is ok, but I'd double check the Sticky threads. I took them together when I tried them, but the ALC didn't help at all after 2 months, and as it's pretty expensive, I stopped it and tried B5 instead, which is helping me. I suspect which one/s will help depends on the causes/reasons for one's PN.

Doc

I did read somewhere thats its not good for whatever reason to take them both together. I need to go back and find it the article. I normally take them each day about and hour apart just in case there are adverse effects on the body we don't know about yet. I must say l have been feeling fantastic taking these supplements each day until l notice my hair was thinning and started to google and found others who had the same problem which may be caused by ALA. So now l am wondering if l should take ALA every single day or every second day.
Is it okay to take this vitamins on alternative days or should they be taken each day to have the full effects on the body?

I have included biotin as well. So we will see if this helps.
But l am truly amazed how how much clearer l think, and l am in a better mood, have more energy, and l just generally feel much better. I just wonder if there is a catch!!:) I will take them forever, but l just need to fine tune it to make the most of them. As l know some vitamins are better taken alone and others are better taken together.

Contraray to the above, taking L-C, without ALA causes oxidative stress, anyway this is another article l have read. So l am a bit confused.

I prefer L-C, as l find it works better for me, not sure how the ALA helps, but maybe when l take them together they work much better. Not sure yet, l need to take them separately to see how l feel. Yesterday l took just ALA, and today l am taking just L-C.

Last question, is it possible for the body to become dependant not these vitamins?

Thanks again l really appreciate your time and l love this site l have learnt so much from all of you.

Can you provide links for any of these articles? Perhaps someone here can clear up some of the confusion.

How often one takes supplements depends on the body's needs and how you feel.

I take RLA because it eliminates the burning pain. I take it daily else the pain returns, but if I could get away with taking it every other day, I would. My opinion has always been that one should take the lowest dose of something (supplement or prescription) necessary to achieve the desired result.

I'm not sure if "dependent" is the right word to use in this situation, as it has certain connotations medically. E.g. human beings are "dependent" on vitamin C because we (and guinea pigs) are incapable of manufacturing it ourselves; it must come from dietary or supplemental sources. If we don't get enough, we don't exactly experience "withdrawal", though in time we would develop scurvey from having inadequate amounts for healthy functioning.

There are some substances produced in the body which, if supplemented, the body reduces (or in some cases ceases) production of because there is no need. In many cases, when supplementation ceases, natural production resumes, but in some cases, when supplementation occurs long term, the body may cease production entirely. I couldn't tell you the specific substances or time intervals; that might be a question for your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation and what you're taking.

Some medical conditions also reduce production of certain necessary substances, which must be supplemented for life, e.g. diabetes, hypothyroidism, et al.

Doc

Supplements work together for me. Carniclear, ALA, CoQ10, etc.

Doc,
How much RLA do you take every day? Also, just to be clear . . you are referring to R Lipoic Acid. Correct?

Thanx !!

I take 100mg of R-Lipoic acid, doctors best brand.

I was taking it every day for 2 months and now will try and wean myself off them and then try stopping them for a few weeks to see how l feel.

Dr Smith, l totally agree with you, that end should only take vitamins as little as needed, that is what l need to refine for myself. If l start feeling bad again, l know l can go back and take them. It's really hard to know how dependant the body gets taking these vitamins and l guess each vitamin is different. But l would rather take these vitamins than be on meds. If l am feeling fine without them, meaning not getting any hot hand or feet then l guess my neuropathy isn't really progressing. That was the reason l started taking them is, even though my symptoms have settled, l just wanted to take them as a preventative, but it seems to me now l don't need to do that.

I guess eating a good healthy diet is always better than taking vitamins, but like you said, in some illnesses the body stops producing on it own and supplements needed.

While we are on the topic of vitamins, l suggest to a friend of mine to order some doctors best R ALA, and LA from iherb and she told me that the supplements are encased in something that is not good for our health. Do you know anything about that? Not sure what to advise her and now l am starting to wonder myself if this may have long term health effects.

sue