Alpha Lipoic Acid 300 mg by Thorne

If you want versatile antioxidant support that benefits cellular health, alpha-lipoic acid is a practical addition. It's well suited to adults who want a daily antioxidant that operates throughout the body, including those with high training loads, higher alcohol intake, or whose diet is light on antioxidant-rich foods like berries and leafy greens. Vegans and people with low-normal selenium or vitamin E status often pair it with their multivitamin.

Alpha-lipoic acid is unusual among antioxidants because it's both water-soluble and fat-soluble, so it moves easily through cells and into mitochondria, the structures where cells make their energy. It also helps the body recycle other antioxidants, including glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E, so the daily redox system has more capacity to resist free radical damage. Mechanistically, alpha-lipoic acid participates in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, the gateway that converts food into usable cellular energy. It also supports insulin sensitivity and contributes to liver detoxification as part of its general role in cellular metabolism.

Thorne's suggested use is one 300 mg capsule two to three times daily, or as recommended by your health-care practitioner. Absorption is somewhat better on an empty stomach, but taking it with a small meal is fine if your stomach is sensitive. Most adults aiming for general antioxidant support land in the 300 to 600 mg per day range. Dose adjustments above that should be guided by a clinician.

If you take prescription medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are receiving cancer treatment, talk to your clinician before starting and review the warnings below.