Alpha Lipoic Acid (Montiff) Each bottle 60 capsules. Each capsule, 300 mg of high-grade alpha lipoic acid.

A potent antioxidant and liver protective agent, research in Germany suggests that it is even stronger as an antioxidant than NAC while having proven capabilities to protect many organs and tissues from free radicals. It has been long used to treat neuropathy in diabetics and may have value for both neuropathy and dementia. One small study using 600 mg showed a stabilization in cognitive function among people with Alzheimers.



Thyroid caution! Lark Lands notes the following: Although it is not clear what percentage of people this may affect, in some people it appears that alpha-lipoic acid may block the proper conversion of T4, the storage form of thyroid hormone, into T3, the active form. This was first noted in animal research with alpha-lipoic acid, and has since been reported by a number of people known to me. When this occurs, people will develop the symptoms of hypothyroidism (which may include fatigue, low body temperature, weight gain, hair loss, splitting fingernails, depression, memory problems, muscle weakness, elevated cholesterol, and/or skin that is dry, rough or scaly). For this reason, it is important to monitor the thyroid, first at baseline, before lipoic acid is taken, and then after the first month or two of taking lipoic acid, to see if there have been any adverse effects. If not, it probably means that the thyroid is unlikely to be affected. However, it will still be wise to check the TSH level (a blood test that is an indicator of thyroid function) at least once or twice yearly, or any time that symptoms that could be related to low thyroid appear, as some people have taken 600 mg daily doses for lengthy periods (even up to five years in one case known to me) before TSH levels became elevated outside of the normal healthy range.

It is clear that this problem does not develop in everyone who uses lipoic acid. Some people seem to tolerate doses of 600 mg or even more daily with no problems, while others have developed serious thyroid problems with doses ranging from 500 mg to 1000 mg daily. In the people known to me who have been affected in this way, discontinuing the lipoic acid allowed the thyroid problems to disappear quite quickly. I personally experienced this when taking lipoic acid. My TSH had become seriously elevated, remaining at an abnormally high level for more than a year, and I had developed symptoms of hypothyroidism, including serious fatigue. Within six weeks of discontinuing the lipoic acid, my symptoms vanished and my TSH returned to normal and stayed there. I had made no other changes of any kind so it is clear to me that the lipoic acid was the problem for me that caused hypothyroidism. Since then, I have so far discovered four other people who developed similar problems while taking it. However, since alpha-lipoic acid is otherwise an excellent supplement, for all the reasons listed above, this does not mean it should be completely written off. Just do monitor the thyroid if you choose to take it!

NYBC adds that if you are on thyroid medication, it may be best to avoid lipoic at high doses.

German clinical research shows alpha lipoic acid to be a potent regenerator of glutathione, vitamin C, and therefore spares vitamin E, helping to keep those levels normalized. This is very important information and the first human study which has documented increases in glutathione (a very difficult compound to increase in PWHIV). In laboratory conditions alpha lipoic acid has been shown to be a more potent inhibitor of the activation of latent HIV (still dormant within cells) than NAC. Based on these data, many PWHIV and activists believe lipoic acid to be one of the most important core compounds in a comprehensive treatment strategy.

An indispensable agent for anyone who uses long-term prophylactic drugs in order to protect against liver damage. Also a must for those with an impaired liver and/or those who want to take high dose garlic. Another broad-spectrum antioxidant which should be a part of the protocol of any PWHIV (or PWHCV) who is interested in the most extensive multifactorial mix of free radical protecting agents.

PWHIV should let their doctor know that they are taking this supplement. Some may be able to tolerate higher doses of liver-toxic drugs than would normally be the case. Never stop suddenly while continuing to take pharmaceutical agents without closely monitoring your liver enzyme levels.

Some PWHIV take 3 to 6 capsules per day (100 mg each) if attempting to correct high liver enzyme levels. Others take 3 to 4 per day if using high dose garlic and liver-impaired. PWHIV also take 2 to 3 per day if not liver impaired, but protecting from the ill effects of high dose prophylactic drugs. Finally, many PWHIV take 3 to 4 per day for a high dose multifactorial antioxidant protection which helps to recycle other antioxidants (e.g. vitamin C/vitamin E) which many are using. Many also use the supplement to prevent or manage neuropathy.