Recent updates

12 days ago

FAQ and Examine Database update
major

Overview

What is alpha-lipoic acid?

What are alpha-lipoic acid’s main benefits?

What are alpha-lipoic acid’s main drawbacks?

How does alpha-lipoic acid work?

Dosage Information

Formulation

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) comes in two forms, either R-ALA (natural) or S-ALA (synthetic), and a mixture of the two is commonly used in supplements. Special formulations include Na-RALA (a sodium salt of ALA) and various complexes and nanoencapsulations intended to increase stability and absorption.

Range of dosages studied

Dosages of ALA have ranged from 200 to 1,800 mg per day.

Other considerations

Despite being fat-soluble, ALA does not require dietary fatty acids to be absorbed from the gut and can be taken without food. In fact, one study suggests that it’s better absorbed on an empty stomach, though it’s unclear which foods may interfere with its absorption.^[1]

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Examine Database: Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Health Condition/Goal	Health Outcome	Evidence
Type 2 Diabetes	12 outcomes	21 Studies
Obesity	11 outcomes	3 Studies
General Cardiovascular Health	4 outcomes	3 Studies
Metabolic Health	5 outcomes	3 Studies
Diabetic Neuropathy	4 outcomes	6 Studies
Alzheimer’s Disease	1 outcome	1 Study
Migraine Headache	3 outcomes	6 Studies
High Blood Pressure	1 outcome	1 Study
Infertility	3 outcomes	1 Study
Rheumatoid Arthritis	2 outcomes	1 Study
Acute Mountain Sickness	1 outcome	1 Study
Burning Mouth Syndrome	1 outcome	5 Studies
Chronic Low Back Pain	1 outcome	1 Study
Dementia	1 outcome	1 Study
End-Stage Renal Disease	2 outcomes	1 Study
Human Immunodeficiency Virus	1 outcome	1 Study
Immune Health	1 outcome	1 Study
Metabolic Syndrome	2 outcomes	1 Study
Muscle Recovery	1 outcome	1 Study
Overweight	6 outcomes	1 Study
Peripheral Arterial Disease	2 outcomes	1 Study
Sickle Cell Disease	2 outcomes	1 Study
General Athletic Performance	1 outcome	1 Study

Type 2 Diabetes

12 outcomes

Obesity

11 outcomes

General Cardiovascular Health

4 outcomes

5 outcomes

4 outcomes

1 outcome

3 outcomes

1 outcome

3 outcomes

2 outcomes

Acute Mountain Sickness

1 outcome

Burning Mouth Syndrome

1 outcome

Chronic Low Back Pain

1 outcome

Dementia

1 outcome

End-Stage Renal Disease

2 outcomes

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

1 outcome

1 outcome

2 outcomes

1 outcome

6 outcomes

Peripheral Arterial Disease

2 outcomes

Sickle Cell Disease

2 outcomes

General Athletic Performance

1 outcome

Safety InformationNew

Research FeedRead all studies

Frequently Asked Questions

Does alpha-lipoic acid affect diabetic neuropathy?

Does alpha-lipoic acid cause insulin autoimmune syndrome? (Hirata’s disease)?

What are other names for Alpha-Lipoic Acid?

Update History

12 days ago

FAQ and Examine Database update
major

Research written by

Wyatt Brown

Edited by

Conni Covington

Reviewed by

Katie Jantz

February 16, 2026

Examine Safety Information update
major

Research written by

Giulia Guerrini

Edited by

Molly Gregas

Reviewed by

Katie Jantz

February 12, 2026

Examine Database update
minor

February 10, 2026

Examine Database update
minor

September 4, 2025

Safety Information added
major

Research written by

Louie Neri

Edited by

Conni Covington

Reviewed by

Katie Jantz

July 25, 2023

Small FAQ update
minor

Research written by

Bill Willis

Edited by

Dmitri Barvinok

Reviewed by

Adel Moussa

References

Examine Database References

Health Condition/Goal	Health Outcome	Evidence
Type 2 Diabetes	12 outcomes	21 Studies
Obesity	11 outcomes	3 Studies
General Cardiovascular Health	4 outcomes	3 Studies
Metabolic Health	5 outcomes	3 Studies
Diabetic Neuropathy	4 outcomes	6 Studies
Alzheimer’s Disease	1 outcome	1 Study
Migraine Headache	3 outcomes	6 Studies
High Blood Pressure	1 outcome	1 Study
Infertility	3 outcomes	1 Study
Rheumatoid Arthritis	2 outcomes	1 Study
Acute Mountain Sickness	1 outcome	1 Study
Burning Mouth Syndrome	1 outcome	5 Studies
Chronic Low Back Pain	1 outcome	1 Study
Dementia	1 outcome	1 Study
End-Stage Renal Disease	2 outcomes	1 Study
Human Immunodeficiency Virus	1 outcome	1 Study
Immune Health	1 outcome	1 Study
Metabolic Syndrome	2 outcomes	1 Study
Muscle Recovery	1 outcome	1 Study
Overweight	6 outcomes	1 Study
Peripheral Arterial Disease	2 outcomes	1 Study
Sickle Cell Disease	2 outcomes	1 Study
General Athletic Performance	1 outcome	1 Study

Safety InformationNew

Visit Safety Checker Page

Summary
Side Effects
Interactions
Pregnancy & Lactation
Precautions
WADA Status

Safety Summary

The most common side effects of alpha-lipoic acid are gastrointestinal issues (e.g., nausea, vomiting), and skin irritation is sometimes reported with topical use.
The risk of side effects with alpha-lipoic acid supplementation increases with higher dosages (1,200 mg/day or more).
Most cases of toxicity with alpha-lipoic acid occurred at doses of at least 6,000 mg taken as a single dose. However, one case of toxicity has been observed in a teenager with an alpha-lipoic acid dose of 1,800 mg.
People with a genetic susceptibility to autoimmune conditions should be cautious because supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid has been associated with insulin autoimmune syndrome (also known as Hirata’s disease) in rare cases.
Alpha-lipoic acid may interact with blood-glucose-lowering drugs. However, this effect seems to have minor clinical significance.
Supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid should be approached with caution during pregnancy and lactation due to a lack of research.

Side Effects

Alpha-lipoic acid is generally well tolerated at dosages of 600 mg per day or lower. Some people may experience mild gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. There have also been some reports of skin irritation, including contact dermatitis and rash/itching, with topical use.

The risk of side effects with alpha-lipoic acid supplementation appears to increase with higher dosages (1,200 to 1,800 mg per day or more).^[47] Although cases of toxicity have generally involved dosages that far exceeded the typical recommendations, there has been one case of toxicity with a dosage of 1,800 mg consumed over a 2-hour period in one young adult — equivalent to approximately 30 mg/kg.^[14]

Effect	Details
^[33]^[47]^[48]^[9]	Route: Oral, Intravenous Dose: 600–1,800 mg/day Notes: The risk of nausea increases with higher dosages (1,200 mg/day or higher).
Full safety information is available to Examine Pro members. Try free for 14 days.

Interactions

Agent	Effect	Level of Evidence	Level of Severity
	Alpha-lipoic acid could enhance the effects of blood-glucose-lowering agents, which could increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, no cases of hypoglycemia have been reported^[6]^[39]^[40]	Level of Evidence: Probable	Level of Severity: Minor
Full safety information is available to Examine Pro members. Try free for 14 days.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Condition	Safety Information
Pregnancy Caution	Some observational research has reported that alpha-lipoic acid supplementation is not associated with adverse events in pregnant women. However, given the limited research, supplementation should be approached with caution.^[57]
Lactation Caution	Because of limited research on alpha-lipoic acid’s safety during breastfeeding, nursing mothers should be cautious with supplementation.

Precautions

Precautions for specific demographics, populations, and/or conditions

Population/Condition	Details
	Overdose and toxicity have been reported with high-dose alpha-lipoic acid supplementation — 4.5 to 6 grams taken as one dose — in adults,^[11]^[12]^[34]^[35] adolescents,^[13] and infants.^[36]^[37]^[38] Lower dosages of alpha-lipoic acid (up to 1,800 mg per day) have not generally been associated with toxicity in adults. However, one case of toxicity has been reported in a teenage girl who took 1.8 grams (1,800 mg) of alpha-lipoic acid, corresponding to approximately 30 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight.^[14] Details on the symptoms observed in cases of toxicity are provided in the side-effect section.
Full safety information is available to Examine Pro members. Try free for 14 days.

World Anti-Doping Agency
Not Prohibited

According to the 2026 WADA List of Prohibited Substances, alpha-lipoic acid is not prohibited.

Route: Oral, Intravenous
Dose: 600–1,800 mg/day
Notes: The risk of nausea increases with higher dosages (1,200 mg/day or higher).

Full safety information is available to Examine Pro members. Try free for 14 days.

Alpha-lipoic acid could enhance the effects of blood-glucose-lowering agents, which could increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, no cases of hypoglycemia have been reported^[6]^[39]^[40]

Level of Evidence:

Probable

Level of Severity:

Minor

Full safety information is available to Examine Pro members. Try free for 14 days.

Pregnancy

Caution

Some observational research has reported that alpha-lipoic acid supplementation is not associated with adverse events in pregnant women. However, given the limited research, supplementation should be approached with caution.^[57]

Lactation

Caution

Because of limited research on alpha-lipoic acid’s safety during breastfeeding, nursing mothers should be cautious with supplementation.

Overdose and toxicity have been reported with high-dose alpha-lipoic acid supplementation — 4.5 to 6 grams taken as one dose — in adults,^[11]^[12]^[34]^[35] adolescents,^[13] and infants.^[36]^[37]^[38] Lower dosages of alpha-lipoic acid (up to 1,800 mg per day) have not generally been associated with toxicity in adults. However, one case of toxicity has been reported in a teenage girl who took 1.8 grams (1,800 mg) of alpha-lipoic acid, corresponding to approximately 30 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight.^[14] Details on the symptoms observed in cases of toxicity are provided in the side-effect section.

Full safety information is available to Examine Pro members. Try free for 14 days.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Recent updates

FAQ and Examine Database updatemajor

Overview

What is alpha-lipoic acid?

What are alpha-lipoic acid’s main benefits?

What are alpha-lipoic acid’s main drawbacks?

How does alpha-lipoic acid work?

Dosage InformationMedical disclaimer

Formulation

Range of dosages studied

Other considerations

Supplements Demystified: Get Our Unbiased, Evidence-Based Guide

Examine Database: Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Safety InformationNew

Research FeedRead all studies

Frequently Asked Questions

Does alpha-lipoic acid affect diabetic neuropathy?

Does alpha-lipoic acid cause insulin autoimmune syndrome? (Hirata’s disease)?

What are other names for Alpha-Lipoic Acid?

Update History

FAQ and Examine Database updatemajor

Examine Safety Information updatemajor

Examine Database updateminor

Examine Database updateminor

Safety Information addedmajor

Small FAQ updateminor

References

Examine Database References

Examine Database: Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Safety InformationNew

Table of Contents

Safety Summary

Side Effects

Interactions

Pregnancy and Lactation

Precautions

Precautions for specific demographics, populations, and/or conditions

World Anti-Doping Agency Not Prohibited

Table of Contents

Safety Summary

Side Effects

Interactions

Pregnancy and Lactation

Precautions

Precautions for specific demographics, populations, and/or conditions

World Anti-Doping Agency Not Prohibited

FAQ and Examine Database update
major

Dosage Information

FAQ and Examine Database update
major

Examine Safety Information update
major

Examine Database update
minor

Examine Database update
minor

Safety Information added
major

Small FAQ update
minor

World Anti-Doping Agency
Not Prohibited

World Anti-Doping Agency
Not Prohibited