Alpha Lipoic Acid 600mg | DL-Alpha-Lipoic Acid | Antioxidant and Metabolism Support | 60 Vegan Capsules

Each capsule delivers 600mg of DL-alpha-lipoic acid (DL-ALA), the racemic form of alpha-lipoic acid providing both the R and S enantiomers. Alpha-lipoic acid is a sulfur-containing fatty acid that functions as both an essential cofactor for mitochondrial energy metabolism enzyme complexes and as a universal antioxidant active in both aqueous and lipid environments. Antioxidant. Helps support glucose metabolism. A factor in the maintenance of good health. Health Canada approved (NPN 80122537). 100% vegan, non GMO, gluten free, soy free, dairy free, corn free. Made in Canada in a GMP certified, third party lab tested facility. 60 vegan capsules (60 day supply at 1 capsule per day).

Stop use and consult a health care practitioner if you experience sweating, paleness, chills, headache, dizziness and/or confusion, as these may be symptoms of serious low blood sugar.

Key Features

• Antioxidant
• Helps support glucose metabolism
• A factor in the maintenance of good health
• 600mg DL-alpha-lipoic acid per capsule
• Universal antioxidant: active in both aqueous and lipid environments
• Regenerates vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione
• Essential cofactor for pyruvate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes
• Endogenously synthesized in mitochondria; supplemental doses far exceed endogenous production
• 1 capsule per day: 60 day supply
• Health Canada approved (NPN 80122537)
• Made in Canada in a GMP certified, third party lab tested facility
• 100% vegan and non GMO
• Gluten free, soy free, dairy free, corn free

Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Chemistry and Endogenous Role

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), also known as thioctic acid, is a sulfur-containing eight-carbon fatty acid with a distinctive dithiolane ring structure. At carbons 6 and 8 of the fatty acid chain, two sulfur atoms are connected by a disulfide bond, forming the five-membered dithiolane ring that is the defining structural feature of ALA. This disulfide bond is the basis for ALA's redox activity: the oxidized form (ALA, with the disulfide bond intact) is reduced to dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) by the mitochondrial enzyme lipoamide dehydrogenase using NADH or NADPH as the electron donor. The ALA/DHLA redox couple is the foundation of both its cofactor function and its antioxidant activity.

Endogenous Synthesis: ALA is synthesized endogenously in the mitochondria from octanoic acid (an eight-carbon fatty acid) and cysteine (as the sulfur donor) by the enzyme lipoic acid synthase. Because the body can synthesize ALA, it is not classified as a vitamin. However, endogenous synthesis produces only small amounts sufficient for cofactor function in mitochondrial enzyme complexes. Supplemental doses of 600mg far exceed what endogenous synthesis provides, delivering ALA as a free compound available for antioxidant activity throughout the body.

DL-ALA vs. R-ALA: Alpha-lipoic acid has one chiral center (at carbon 6), producing two enantiomers: R-ALA (the naturally occurring, biologically active form) and S-ALA (the synthetic enantiomer produced during chemical synthesis). DL-ALA is the racemic mixture of both enantiomers in equal proportions (50% R-ALA and 50% S-ALA). R-ALA is the form used as a cofactor in mitochondrial enzyme complexes and has higher bioavailability than S-ALA. DL-ALA is more chemically stable and more cost-effective than pure R-ALA. At 600mg of DL-ALA, the formula provides approximately 300mg of the biologically active R-ALA enantiomer alongside 300mg of S-ALA.

ALA as a Mitochondrial Enzyme Cofactor: The Metabolism Connection

In its endogenous role, ALA is covalently bound (via an amide bond to a lysine residue) to the E2 subunit of two critical mitochondrial enzyme complexes that are essential for energy metabolism.

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDC): The PDC converts pyruvate (the end product of glycolysis) to acetyl-CoA, the entry molecule for the citric acid cycle. This is the irreversible step that commits glucose-derived carbon to oxidative metabolism. Within the PDC, the lipoyl group (ALA covalently bound to the E2 subunit) functions as a swinging arm that accepts the acetyl group from pyruvate (via the E1 subunit, thiamine-dependent) and transfers it to CoA (via the E3 subunit, lipoamide dehydrogenase). Without ALA, the PDC cannot function and the conversion of glucose to energy via the citric acid cycle is blocked.

Alpha-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex (KGDC): The KGDC catalyzes the conversion of alpha-ketoglutarate to succinyl-CoA, a key step in the citric acid cycle. Like the PDC, the KGDC uses a lipoyl-E2 subunit as a swinging arm for acyl group transfer. ALA is therefore an essential cofactor at two of the most critical steps in mitochondrial energy metabolism.

ALA as a Universal Antioxidant

At supplemental doses, free ALA (not covalently bound to enzyme complexes) functions as a potent antioxidant with several properties that distinguish it from other dietary antioxidants.

Both Water-Soluble and Fat-Soluble: Most antioxidants are active in only one cellular compartment: vitamin C is water-soluble and active in the aqueous cytoplasm and extracellular fluid; vitamin E is fat-soluble and active in lipid membranes. ALA is unusual in that it is active in both aqueous and lipid environments, allowing it to provide antioxidant protection across all cellular compartments. This is the basis for the description of ALA as a universal antioxidant.

Direct Free Radical Scavenging: DHLA (the reduced form of ALA) directly scavenges reactive oxygen species including superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, and hypochlorous acid. ALA also quenches singlet oxygen.

Antioxidant Network Regeneration: One of ALA's most significant antioxidant properties is its ability to regenerate other antioxidants that have been oxidized in the process of neutralizing free radicals. DHLA reduces dehydroascorbate back to vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Vitamin C in turn reduces the tocopheroxyl radical back to vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol). DHLA also directly reduces oxidized glutathione (GSSG) back to reduced glutathione (GSH), replenishing the body's primary endogenous antioxidant. This network regeneration effect means that ALA amplifies the antioxidant capacity of the entire antioxidant system, not just its own direct scavenging activity.

Metal Chelation: ALA chelates pro-oxidant metal ions including copper (Cu2+), iron (Fe2+/Fe3+), cadmium, and mercury. Free transition metal ions catalyze the Fenton reaction and related reactions that generate highly reactive hydroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide. By chelating these metals, ALA reduces their ability to catalyze free radical generation.

ALA and Glucose Metabolism

Beyond its role as a mitochondrial cofactor, supplemental ALA has been studied for its effects on glucose metabolism. ALA activates AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), a cellular energy sensor that promotes glucose uptake into cells by stimulating the translocation of GLUT4 glucose transporters to the cell surface in muscle and adipose tissue. ALA also activates the insulin signaling pathway downstream of the insulin receptor, enhancing insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. These mechanisms are the basis for the glucose metabolism support claim and are also the reason why ALA can cause blood sugar to decrease, which is the basis for the diabetes caution and the hypoglycemia stop-use warning.

Understanding the Dosage

DL-alpha-Lipoic acid: 600mg per capsule
Suggested Use: Adults: 1 capsule, 1 time per day
Total Capsules: 60 (60 day supply)
Non Medicinal Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, Silicon dioxide, Hypromellose (vegetable capsule)

Consult your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and duration of use for your individual needs.

Who May Consider This Product

• Adults seeking antioxidant support from a universal antioxidant active in both aqueous and lipid environments
• Those wanting support for glucose metabolism
• Those wanting an antioxidant that regenerates vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione
• Those wanting a clean formula: vegan, non GMO, gluten free, soy free, dairy free, corn free
• Those seeking a Health Canada approved, Canadian made, third party lab tested ALA supplement

Quality and Purity

• Health Canada approved (NPN 80122537)
• 600mg DL-alpha-lipoic acid per capsule
• Vegan hypromellose capsule
• 60 capsules (60 day supply)
• Made in Canada in a GMP certified facility
• Third party lab tested
• 100% vegan and non GMO
• Gluten free, soy free, dairy free, corn free

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep bottle tightly sealed after each use. Alpha-lipoic acid is sensitive to heat and light; avoid storing in warm or humid conditions.

Safety Information and Cautions

Stop use and consult a health care practitioner if you experience sweating, paleness, chills, headache, dizziness and/or confusion, as these may be symptoms of serious low blood sugar.

Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have diabetes, as ALA's glucose metabolism effects can lower blood sugar and may interact with diabetes medications. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Keep out of reach of children.

This product is approved by Health Canada (NPN 80122537).

About Alpha Lipoic Acid 600mg | DL-ALA | Antioxidant and Metabolism Support

Alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) is a sulfur-containing fatty acid with a dithiolane ring structure that functions as both an essential mitochondrial enzyme cofactor and a universal antioxidant. As a cofactor, ALA is covalently bound to the E2 subunits of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (linking glycolysis to the citric acid cycle) and the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (a citric acid cycle step), where it functions as a swinging arm for acyl group transfer. As a free antioxidant at supplemental doses, DHLA (the reduced form) scavenges free radicals in both aqueous and lipid environments, regenerates vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione, and chelates pro-oxidant metal ions. ALA also activates AMPK and enhances insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, supporting glucose uptake into cells. At 600mg DL-ALA per capsule (providing approximately 300mg of the biologically active R-ALA enantiomer), 1 capsule per day, the 60 capsule bottle provides a 60 day supply. Health Canada approved (NPN 80122537). Stop use if symptoms of low blood sugar occur. Consult a healthcare practitioner before use if pregnant, breastfeeding, or diabetic. 100% vegan and made in Canada in a GMP certified, third party lab tested facility.