ALA may prevent formation of experimentally induced cataracts by increasing glutathione, ascorbate, and vitamin E levels. In turn, ALA restores glutathione, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate free radical-reductase activity. The effect was seen in the lenses of 60% of rats treated with L-buthionnine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis.( 25) The efficacy of ALA in delaying the development and progression of cataracts in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes has also been demonstrated.( 26)

Be watchful with this combination • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID Alpha lipoic acid supplementation seems to help improve insulin sensitivity and might also offer protection against metabolic syndrome — a term given to a cluster of conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight. Some evidence also shows that it can help lower blood sugar levels.

Lee, W. J., Lee, I. K., Kim, H. S., Kim, Y. M., Koh, E. H., Won, J. C., Han, S. M., Kim, M. S., Jo, I., Oh, G. T., Park, I. S., Youn, J. H., Park, S. W., Lee, K. U., and Park, J. Y. Alpha-lipoic acid prevents endothelial dysfunction in obese rats via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Arterioscler.Thromb.Vasc.Biol 2005;25(12):2488-2494. View abstract. Kieburtz K, Schifitto G, McDermott M, and et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of deprenyl and thioctic acid in human immunodeficiency virus-associated cognitive impairment. Neurology 1998;50(3):645-651. Byun, C. H., Koh, J. M., Kim, D. K., Park, S. I., Lee, K. U., and Kim, G. S. alpha-Lipoic Acid Inhibits TNF-alpha-Induced Apoptosis in Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells. J Bone Miner.Res 2005;20(7):1125-1135. View abstract. This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. This product has not been reviewed by the FDA to determine whether it is safe or effective and is not subject to the quality standards and safety information collection standards that are applicable to most prescription drugs. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this product. This information does not endorse this product as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this product. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this product. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You should talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this product.

Altunina NV, Lizogub VG, Bondarchuk OM. Alpha-lipoic acid as a means of influence on systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with prior myocardial infarction. J Med Life. 2020;13(1):32-36. doi:10.1186/1758-5996-6-80Numerous studies have demonstrated the ability of ALA to stimulate various signal transduction pathways and activate transcription factors including activation of G-protein coupled receptors and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate production, mitogen activated protein kinase signaling cascade, insulin signaling, and protein kinase B and nuclear factor kappa B. 5 Side effects from using ALA supplements appear to be rare and mild, such as skin rash. However, little is known about the possible effect of long-term use of ALA supplements. And there are no dosage recommendations and little data on the potential effect of large doses taken over time. That being said, when you eat a whole food-based diet and vary the types of things you eat, chances are you consume a decent amount in addition to what your body already makes on its own. Mayr JA, Feichtinger RG, Tort F, Ribes A, Sperl W. Lipoic acid biosynthesis defects. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2014;37(4):553-63. doi:10.1007/s10545-014-9705-8 Given our findings, it is important to note some limitations of this meta-analysis. The number of studies and included patients were small. Furthermore, studies, study populations, and main results in cumulative analyses were heterogeneous. Due to the relatively small number of studies, our meta-regression analyses had limited power. Although there was no evidence of publication bias for all outcome measures on funnel plots and Egger's Tests, the relatively small number of studies also limits the assessment of publication bias.