ALA??

What do you guys think of ALA? I just picked some up today. How much should I take on a daily basis? Does it really work.

[Mr_Magoo]

for a good source pm me, anyways it is good, but the r-ala version is much better and more potent

[ken69dahl]

1000-1500mg ed

Wow, 1000-1500mg a day? with the stuff I got each capsule is 100mg. And the store I got it from only recommends 200mg ED, it wouldn't be harmful at that high a dose would it? Please excuse the stupid questions, I'm a newbie.

[Mr_Magoo]

no but stick to the r-ala version

[mike man]

Taking insulin while taking ALA? would this be a no-no since it is said that ALA raises your insulin sensitivity?

[Mr_Magoo]

which means ull need smaller amounts of slin to get the same anabolic effect

[raybravo]

Originally posted by Mr_Magoo
which means ull need smaller amounts of slin to get the same anabolic effect

i think metformin would be so much more benefitial compared to ala to improve insulin sensitivity .
although so many people like ala , it seems to inhibit glycogen synthesis quite a bit , making it not a very good thing to add to one's supplement regimen .

J Nutr 2002 Oct;132(10):3001-6 Related Articles, Links


Alpha-lipoic acid inhibits glycogen synthesis in rat soleus muscle via its oxidative activity and the uncoupling of mitochondria.

Dicter N, Madar Z, Tirosh O.

Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.

alpha-Lipoic acid (LA) is currently being investigated as a glucose-lowering agent for diabetes control; it is also considered a powerful dietary antioxidant. The objective of this study was to investigate the fate of glucose in isolated rat muscles incubated with LA and determine its effects on intramuscular redox status. Rat soleus muscles were incubated for up to 60 min with 2.4 mmol/L LA in the presence or absence of insulin. Intramuscular concentrations of LA were evaluated (uptake and reduction), and glycogen synthesis, glucose oxidation, intramuscular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential investigated. Insulin enhanced glycogen synthesis, whereas LA decreased rates by >50%. LA elevated ROS production and in combination with t-butylhydroperoxide, an oxidant, additively inhibited glycogen synthesis rates by 80%. Insulin acted as an antioxidant and attenuated ROS production by 30%. LA uncoupled the mitochondria and accelerated glucose oxidation 1.5-fold relative to the control. The glycogen synthesis pathway was found to be dependent on mitochondrial function because treatment with mitochondrial inhibitors eliminated the majority of glycogen synthesis. These data show that in this model, LA acts as a mild prooxidant, causing mitochondrial uncoupling and inhibition of glycogen synthesis. It appears that LA regulates glucose metabolism in the muscle differently than insulin.