Meta Information
ID:alpha-lipoic-acid
Name:
Schema Version:2.4_uniform_evidence_2026_06_18
Created
2026-05-21T22:30:00Z
Model
phase-a-upgrade-claude-sonnet-4.6
Interactions
Target id:
/dietary/meal
Target name:
Any Caloric Meal
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Food significantly reduces the absorption and bioavailability of alpha-lipoic acid in the gastrointestinal tract, which can make the supplement less effective.
Actionable advice:
It should be taken on a completely empty stomach, at least 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after the last meal.
Validation status:
validated_via_pubmed
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
pubmed_abstract_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Method of delivery also significantly affected plasma concentrations of DL-α-lipoic acid, with extruded foods resulting in lowest concentration for each dosage administered.
Label source:
PubMed: American journal of veterinary research (2010)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Despite its various potentials, ALA therapeutic efficacy is relatively low due to its pharmacokinetic profile. Data suggests that ALA has a short half-life and bioavailability (about 30%) triggered by its hepatic degradation, reduced solubility as well as instability in the stomach.
Label source:
PubMed: Biomolecules (2019)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
We initially recapitulate the dietary occurrence, gastrointestinal absorption and pharmacokinetics of LA, illustrating its diverse antioxidative mechanisms.
Label source:
PubMed: Cancer letters (2016)
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Alpha-lipoic acid can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels, which can add to the effects of diabetes medications and increase the risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar).
Actionable advice:
Alpha-lipoic acid can lower blood glucose. Monitor closely when starting, and have your prescriber reduce your insulin or sulfonylurea dose if you trend low.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
ALA group showed a significant decline in FBG (p=0.004), HbA1c (p<0.001), fructosamine (p=0.005), ERI (p<0.001), weekly doses, and the weekly cost of Epoetin-alpha, and the total cost (p<0.001).
Label source:
PubMed: Alpha-lipoic acid improved anemia, erythropoietin resistance, maintained glycemic control, and reduced cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients on hemodialysis: a multi-center prospective randomized controlled study. (PMID 35442486)
Action type:
adjust_with_prescriber
Target id:
/class/chelating-minerals
Target name:
Chelating Minerals (Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
3
Hours after target:
3
Description:
Alpha-lipoic acid can bind to (chelate) minerals in the gut, which prevents the absorption of both the ALA and the minerals, reducing the effectiveness of both supplements.
Actionable advice:
Alpha-lipoic acid and mineral supplements like iron, zinc, calcium, or magnesium should be separated by at least 3 hours.
Validation status:
validated_via_pubmed
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
pubmed_abstract_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
It is observed that the mechanism of metals chelation by lipoic acid may be responsible for these changes and, consequently, could trigger a condition of iron deficiency anemia in hypertensive individuals.
Label source:
PubMed: Nutricion hospitalaria (2014)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
The chelating properties, the regenerative ability of other antioxidants, the co-enzyme activity and the signal transduction by the implication in various pathways will be discussed in order to be elucidated the pleiotropic effects of LA.
Label source:
PubMed: Molecular biology reports (2021)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Our results showed that FAC results in a significant increase of tissue iron accumulation, oxidative stress, and autophagy and such detrimental effects were reversed by ALA treatment. In conclusion, ALA possesses excellent iron chelating properties that may be exploited in a clinical setting for organ preservation, as well as exhibiting a good safety profile and low cost for the national health system.
Label source:
PubMed: International journal of molecular sciences (2019)
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/class/chemotherapy-radiation
Target name:
Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
As a potent antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid could theoretically interfere with the effectiveness of cancer therapies that rely on generating oxidative stress to destroy malignant cells.
Actionable advice:
Alpha-lipoic acid should be avoided during active chemotherapy or radiation unless specifically approved by an oncologist.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Alpha-lipoic acid and its combination with resveratrol were able to mitigate fibrosis and pneumonitis markers in mice lung tissues following lung irradiation.
Label source:
PubMed: Mitigation of Radiation-induced Pneumonitis and Lung Fibrosis using Alpha-lipoic Acid and Resveratrol. (PMID 30892165)
Action type:
avoid
Target id:
/intervention/biotin
Target name:
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
4
Hours after target:
4
Description:
Alpha-lipoic acid and biotin compete for the same cellular transporters (SMVT) for absorption and uptake. Taking high doses of both at the same time can reduce the absorption of each.
Actionable advice:
High-dose alpha-lipoic acid and high-dose biotin supplements should be separated by at least 4 hours.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Conditions that may increase biotin requirements in humans include pregnancy, lactation, and therapy with anticonvulsants or lipoic acid.
Label source:
PubMed: Biotin biochemistry and human requirements. (PMID 15539280)
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/intervention/thiamine
Target name:
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
High doses of alpha-lipoic acid can increase the body's metabolic demand for thiamine, as they are both cofactors in key mitochondrial enzymes. This can lead to thiamine depletion, especially in at-risk individuals.
Actionable advice:
Adequate thiamine intake from diet or a B-complex supplement is a good idea when taking alpha-lipoic acid long-term.
Validation status:
validated_via_pubmed
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
pubmed_abstract_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
To address this issue, we compared the effect of α-LA with that of thiamine, another cofactor of the TCA cycle.
Label source:
PubMed: The Journal of toxicological sciences (2017)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Thiamine (1-6 mM), and dihydrolipoic acid (LA, 50 microM), required cofactors for PDH and KGDH, attenuated this enzymatic inhibition and subsequent death in all cell types.
Label source:
PubMed: Annals of neurology (2004)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Metabolic therapies that have been reported to produce a positive effect include Coenzyme Q(10) (ubiquinone); other antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and lipoic acid; riboflavin; thiamin; niacin; vitamin K (phylloquinone and menadione); creatine; and carnitine.
Label source:
PubMed: Journal of the American Dietetic Association (2003)
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/condition/thyroid-disorders
Target name:
Thyroid Disorders
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
There is some evidence that alpha-lipoic acid may alter thyroid function by impairing the conversion of inactive T4 hormone to the active T3 form.
Actionable advice:
If you have a thyroid condition or take thyroid medication, monitor thyroid function tests with your doctor after starting ALA.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
These results demonstrate that LA interferes with the production of T3 from T4 when it is co-administered with T4.
Label source:
PubMed: Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on the peripheral conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine and on serum lipid-, protein- and glucose levels. (PMID 1815532)
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Alpha-lipoic acid may have mild antiplatelet effects, which could theoretically increase the risk of bleeding when combined with blood-thinning medications like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin.
Actionable advice:
This is best used with caution when taking blood-thinning medications, and it is worth monitoring for any signs of increased bruising or bleeding.
Validation status:
validated_via_pubmed
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
pubmed_abstract_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Between-group analysis at 12 weeks showed that ALA significantly inhibited both collagen-induced platelet aggregation (from 32.61 ± 8.00 to 24.88 ± 5.30; P < 0.001) and adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation (from 34.00 ± 6.97 to 25.96 ± 6.45; P < 0.001) compared to placebo.
Label source:
PubMed: Journal of postgraduate medicine (2024)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
α-Lipoic acid (ALA), occurring naturally in human food, has been reported to exhibit an antiplatelet activity. However, the mechanisms underlying ALA-mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation remain unknown.
Label source:
PubMed: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry (2011)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Dietary supplementation of vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid increases bleeding tendency via inhibition of the intrinsic coagulation pathway with no change in markers of lipid peroxidation.
Label source:
PubMed: Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis : official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis (2006)
Action type:
monitor
Target id:
/intervention/alcar
Target name:
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Alpha-lipoic acid and Acetyl-L-Carnitine work via complementary pathways to support mitochondrial function, energy production, and reduce oxidative stress, particularly in nerve cells.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking with Acetyl-L-Carnitine for enhanced mitochondrial and neurological support.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
the nutraceutical exerted an elevated antiradical activity and reducing capacity, especially at mitochondrial conditions... ALA + ALC combination might be beneficial as a dietary supplement for the prevention of the oxidative stress
Label source:
Study of the ALA + acetyl-L-carnitine combination, PMID 34124692. Supports complementary mitochondrial/antioxidant action.
Action type:
informational_none