Alpha Lipoic Sustain® is formulated in Jarrow Formulas® SUSTAIN™ bilayer quick release/sustained release format to maximize blood levels and to minimize gastric irritation and blood sugar fluctuations. Alpha lipoic acid is a unique lipid and water soluble antioxidant that is a cofactor in energy production, helping to regulate glucose metabolism. Alpha lipoic acid also promotes the synthesis of glutathione. Biotin is added for optimum alpha lipoic acid activity.

The advanced bilayer SUSTAIN™ tablets combine 1/3 quick release and 2/3 sustained release formats to both immediately raise and maintain blood levels over a longer period of time.

Alpha-lipoic acid is used in Europe to promote liver and nerve health, and confer protective benefits against oxidative processes. Alpha-lipoic acid has been called the “universal” antioxidant because it boosts glutathione levels in cells and has potent antioxidant actions.1-3 Research has strongly implicated cellular oxidative damage caused by free radicals as a cause of many degenerative problems. What makes alpha-lipoic acid so effective as an antioxidant is its ability to quench free radicals in both aqueous and lipid environments. This means that the antioxidant activity of alpha-lipoic acid is working in the extra-cellular fluid and also within the cell. It also has metal chelating ability, helping the body rid itself of accumulated ingested toxins.4-7

Alpha-lipoic acid also is a co-factor for some of the key enzymes (alpha keto acid dehydrogenases) involved in generating energy from food and oxygen in mitochondria8-10 and thus plays a critical role in energy production within the cell’s mitochondria.8,9,11

One of the most beneficial effects of alpha-lipoic acid is its ability to regenerate other essential antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, and glutathione, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The evidence is especially strong for the ability of DHLA (dihydro-lipoic acid, a reduced form of alpha-lipoic acid) to recycle vitamin E. This is apparently achieved directly by quenching tocopherol radicals or indirectly by reducing vitamin C or increasing the levels of ubiquinol (a derivative of CoQ10) and glutathione, that, in turn, helps regenerate tissue levels of vitamin E.8,12-18

In clinical studies to date with alpha-lipoic acid, there have been no reported serious adverse side effects, even at high doses. Among the mild, reversible side effects found in some patients have been allergic skin reactions and possible hypoglycemia in diabetics.