Several studies have found that they can improve insulin resistance. Studies also found that alpha-lipoic acid supplements can help with neuropathy — nerve damage — caused by diabetes or cancer treatment. They seem to reduce symptoms like pain, tingling, and prickling in the feet and legs.

The antioxidant properties of alpha-lipoic acid have been linked to several benefits, including lower blood sugar levels, reduced inflammation, slowed skin aging, and improved nerve function.

R Lipoic is significantly more potent than Alpha Lipoic because the body “recognizes” it and “knows” how to use it. Research indicates that not only does the human body have difficulty absorbing the unnatural (S) version; it may actually inhibit the most essential properties of natural R-Lipoic Acid!

The main difference between alpha lipoic acid and R lipoic acid is that alpha-lipoic acid is a vitamin-like antioxidant while R-lipoic acid is the cis form of alpha-lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid and R-lipoic acid are two types of compounds produced by cells. Both have structures similar to vitamins.

The “R” form is the biologically active component (native to the body) that is responsible for lipoic acid’s phenomenal antioxidant effect. The “S” form is produced from chemical manufacture and is not very biologically active. Alpha lipoic acid supplements consist of the “R” and “S” form in a 50/50 ratio.

More recently, lipoic acid demonstrated positive effects in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy [115–118]. In particular, it was able to prevent renal insufficiency, glomerular mesangial matrix expansion, and glomerulosclerosis by restoring glutathione and reducing malondialdehyde levels [119].

Unique Properties of R-Dihydrolipoic Acid. R-DHLA regenerates the antioxidants vitamin C, thioredoxin and glutathione which in turn can recycle vitamin E.1 Many of the properties generally attributed to R-Lipoic Acid are in fact due to its “redox” partner R-DHLA.

R-Lipoic Acid donates an electron to R-DHLA, and the R-DHLA reacts with a free radical and is then oxidized back into R-Lipoic Acid, and the R-Lipoic Acid is then reduced using cellular reducing equivalents (NADH or NADPH) back into R-DHLA thus continuing the redox cycle. As the two forms swap electrons, they rapidly convert.

The “Redox Couple” of Lipoic Acid and Dihydrolipoic Acid. Oxidation reduction (redox reactions) involves the transfer of an electron from a donor to an acceptor. When the donor loses an electron, it is transformed from its reduced form to its oxidized form; when an acceptor gains an electron, it changes from its oxidized form to its reduced form.

– Alpha-lipoic acid comes in two forms, designated as “R-lipoic acid” and “S-lipoic acid.” R- and S- lipoic acid are enantiomer isomers––molecules that appear as mirror images of each other. R-lipoic acid is naturally synthesized by humans, animals, and plants.