What makes R-alpha lipoic acid so special?

Do you actually know what makes our R-alpha lipoic acid so special? 

R-shape instead of S-shape

The motto here is R-form instead of S-form. Herbano takes great care to use only the highest quality alpha lipoic acid.

❗❗❗ We only use 100% pure R-alpha lipoic acid ❗❗❗

Because only this has a high bioavailability and is natural and effective in the body's own form. In comparison, R-acid has an even 30 times higher bio availability than S-acid!

Mixed products with a low proportion of R-alpha lipoic acid are often sold on the market. Although such products are cheaper, they are far less effective or not effective at all.

Please remember that these mixed products can never have the same effect as a pure R-alpha lipoic acid.

Acts throughout the body

As a water- and fat-soluble antioxidant, R-alpha lipoic acid can act as one of the few antioxidants in the entire body. From protecting cells, bones and the nervous system to protecting the eyes and skin, the acid unfolds its effect. 

R-alpha lipoic acid already occurs naturally in the human body and is therefore considered to be very well tolerated.

Super antioxidant

R-alpha lipoic acid is one of the most effective and versatile antioxidants. Due to its ability to convert other antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione or coenzyme Q10 back into their original active form, R-alpha lipoic acid is also known as the antioxidant of antioxidants. It intercepts free radicals in good time and thus protects the cells from oxidative stress and premature ageing. 

What effects can you expect with R-alpha lipoic acid?

If you suffer from metabolic syndrome

R-alpha lipoic acid supports the processing of glucose in the body. This allows optimal blood sugar levels to be maintained. In addition, it plays a key role in insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health, which are affected by metabolic syndrome.

Results show an improvement in insulin sensitivity in patients after just 4 weeks.

For diabetes and secondary diseases

R-alpha lipoic acid is particularly recommended as an adjunctive therapy for diabetes. R-acid not only has the ability to reduce oxidative stress, but also to neutralize its negative effects.  

As a powerful antioxidant, R-alpha lipoic acid can have a supportive effect in diabetic polyneuropathy. Polyneuropathy is a secondary disease (nerve disease) of diabetes mellitus and affects as many as 60% of all diabetics! 

A study shows that symptoms occurring after a 3-weekintake of R-alpha lipoic acid already improve noticeably! The blood supply to the nerves is stimulated and pain, numbness, tingling and burning sensations are reduced.

Protection of the general nervous system: The acid works throughout the entire body - including the brain, from where it can reach all components of a nerve cell. Studies show that R-alpha lipoic acid can protect against the most feared disease of old age - Alzheimer's disease. The acid is also said to be helpful in multiple sclerosis, as it alleviates the inflammatory symptoms that arise. 

For eye health

R-alpha lipoic acid leads to an improvement in eye health. With increasing age, the susceptibility to eye problems such as cataracts or clouding of the lens increases. This is mainly due to oxidative stress. R-acid counteracts oxidative stress and stimulates the production of glutathione, which keeps the eyes healthy. 

Maintaining bone density

The acid can help maintain bone health by suppressing oxidative stress, which would otherwise have a negative effect on healthy bone density. Bone loss can be a side effect of osteoporosis or other degenerative bone diseases. Studies show that the acid prevents the formation of bone-degrading cells (osteoclasts). It also reduces inflammation, which can cause bone loss.

In a 1-year study with postmenopausal women, it was observed that bone mineral density increased again after regular intake of R-alpha lipoic acid.

 

Sources (in English):

Ibrahimpasic, K. (2013). Alpha lipoic acid and glycaemic control in diabetic neuropathies at type 2 diabetes treatment. Medical Archives, 67(1):7-9, doi: 10.5455/medarh.2013.67.7-9

Bertologgo, F. & Massone, A. (2012, March). Combination of alpha lipoic acid and superoxide dismutase leads to physiological and symptomatic improvements in diabetic neuropathy. Drugs in R&D, 12(1):29-34, doi: 10.2165/11599200-000000000-00000

Ziegler, D., Ametov, A., Barinov, A., Dyck, P. J., Gurieva, I., Low, P. A. et al. (2006, November). Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial. Diabetes Care, 29(11):2365-70, doi: 10.2337/dc06-1216

Li, Y., Shen, H., Shi, J. & Tang, L. (2014, September). The effects of alpha lipoic acid in preventing oxidative stress-induced retinal pigment epithelial cell injury. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 92(9):765-72, doi: 10.1139/cjpp-2014-0018

Papanas, N. & Ziegler, D. (2014, December). Efficacy of α-lipoic acid in diabetic neuropathy. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 15(18):2721-31, doi: 10.1517/14656566.2014.972935

Roberts, J. L. & Moreau, R. (2015, February). Emerging role of alpha-lipoic acid in the prevention and treatment of bone loss. Nutrition Reviews, 73(2):116-25, doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuu005

Ziegler, D., Nowak, H., Kempler, P., Vargha, P. & Low, P. A. (2004, February). Treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: a meta-analysis. Diabetic Medicine: A Journal of the British Diabetic Association, 21(2):114-21, doi: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2004.01109.x

Ziegler, D., Hanefeld, M., Ruhnau, K. J., Meissner, H. P., Lobisch, M., Schütte, K. & Gries, F. A. (1995, December). Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A 3-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study). Diabetologia, 38(12):1425-33, doi: 10.1007/bf00400603

Kamenova, P. (2006, October-December). Improvement of insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid. Hormones, 5(4):251-8, doi: 10.14310/horm.2002.11191

Mainini, G., Rotondi, M., Di Nola, K., Pezzella, M. T., Iervolino, S. A., Seguino, E., D'Efeumia, D. et al. (2012). Oral supplementation with antioxidant agents containing alpha lipoic acid: effects on postmenopausal bone mass. Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology, 39(4):489-93

Packer, L., Witt, E. H. & Tritschler, H. J. (1995, August). alpha-Lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 19(2):227-50, doi: 10.1016/0891-5849(95)00017-r