Ortho Nutrition Lipoic Acid - In Depth Review
So what exactly makes this stuff special?
First and foremost, if one is hypoglycemic, they should consider the "non-stabilized" or "regular" lipoic acid (otherwise known as alpha lipoic acid or ALA).
First and foremost, if one is hypoglycemic, they should consider the "non-stabilized" or "regular" lipoic acid (otherwise known as alpha lipoic acid or ALA).
Why? Because it can reduce your glucose levels (within the normal range) and if you are hypoglycemic, the more potent form, Ortho Nutrition Lipoic Acid and/or Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid, is approximately 10 times more potent than your "garden variety" of alpha lipoic acid (ALA).
Also, even if you are not hypoglycemic, it is preferable to take this supplement either at meal time or just before (but do not wait too long). It's okay to take afterwards if you forget.
Do note that there are many varieties of "R-lipoic Acids" out there, however they will fail miserably due to the fact that they are not stabilized...So what does that mean exactly? It means that without the salt (such as sodium or potassium salt as a ligand), the R-form of lipoic acid can quickly succumb to polymerization. This bond forms a tight junction so it does not unravel.
More detail on that...because R-Lipoic acid is a highly unstable compound it can easily by way of heat, light or oxygen, quickly transform into a sticky rubber or glue-like substance. Even under ideal conditions, non-stabilized or "regular" R-Lipoic acid is extremely unstable.
For this reason, if it is the more potent R-Lipoic Acid, it simply must be stabilized or it's virtually a waste of money.
Do note that there are many varieties of "R-lipoic Acids" out there, however they will fail miserably due to the fact that they are not stabilized...So what does that mean exactly? It means that without the salt (such as sodium or potassium salt as a ligand), the R-form of lipoic acid can quickly succumb to polymerization. This bond forms a tight junction so it does not unravel.
More detail on that...because R-Lipoic acid is a highly unstable compound it can easily by way of heat, light or oxygen, quickly transform into a sticky rubber or glue-like substance. Even under ideal conditions, non-stabilized or "regular" R-Lipoic acid is extremely unstable.
For this reason, if it is the more potent R-Lipoic Acid, it simply must be stabilized or it's virtually a waste of money.
So with all of that out of the way, let's get into more of the "why" of the discussion, the advantages.
Ortho Nutrition Lipoic acid is a lipid (fat) and water soluble anti-oxidant. It allows the body to enhance its own (endogenous) anti-oxidants like Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) & Glutathione, it also increases the bio-availability of exogenous (outside the body) anti-oxidants like vitamins C & E.
In a sense, it "recycles" and acts as a carrier or transport for anti-oxidant protection into the mitochondria (cell factory engine).
Stabilized R-Lipoic acid offers strong protection against oxidative stress, and not only reactivates vitamins C & E, but regenerates Co-enzyme Q10. Besides these benefits of anti-oxidant protection its extremely friendly to the liver.
Stabilized R-Lipoic acid behaves similar to an insulin mimic, as that it appears to increase glucose transport through muscle cells and reduces glycation.
Ortho Nutrition Lipoic Acid
