There is a site about types of ALA and their effects, with well presented tutorials (backed up by a long list of references) on cellular metabolism, oxidative damage and repair (especially mytochondria). The conclusion would be that (R+) ALA is the only beneficial form, while the more common mixtures are worse (for the longevity & antioxidant effects) than no supplement at all.

I wanted to take R-ALA when on Andy's forum and he warned me off it due to its strength and the lack of research on it. Didn't want me to be a guinea pig. I'd say go very low dosage to see first....

The R form definitely seems more bio-available and protective but I looked at the page and they didn't seem to have any research to back up the negative claims such as the S form counteracts the R form.



Many people have gotten great results using the mixed ALA according to Andy Cutlers chelation protocol, so I would have to say your conclusion is wrong, though it may be proven later that The R+ form is more effective but the S- form could also have benefits that weren't looked at.

Sometimes its confusing because so many claims are made for and against health supplements...and sometimes its just to hype one form but sometimes there is a real difference.

They do cite papers that show outright harmful effects of (S-) ALA and surprising ineffectiveness of the R/S mixtures e.g. see this graph and discussion after it.

I did see more research after clicking around a bit...and some of it definitely makes it seem like it would be better to use only the R(+) form...but its still a tough call, many people have gotten significantly better using the ALA mix when chelating...but R+ ALA may be better for other reasons.

But there is still a lot of professional studies done on ALA, meaning the mix of both R(+) and S(-) that showed many positive benefits...

I know mercury is very attracted to ALA, which is why its used for chelating...it would be interested to know the way mercury reacts to each different form of Lipoic Acid separately.

Hi,
First Post *waves shyly*

The paragraph a few down from that graph was more interesting to my mind. I quote:

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"Also strange was the fact that the three forms of lipoic acid were about equally effective in protecting nerve cells from a different part of the brain (the hippocampus) against this toxin. "
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If one were to accept the hypothesis that Lipoic's acids antioxidant effects are similar in outcome to its chelating effects with respect to its three separate forms (R, S and racemate-mix) then a logical corollary is...

The beneficial effects of using the racemate-mix is chelating really well certain portions of the brain, but not others.
Unless there is some studies where they killed an animal after using Lipoic racemate on it and examined different parts of its brain selectively for mercury - there would be no way to know.

So, to take an example, Joe Bloggs uses Racemate Lipoic acid, and gets a huge outpouring of mercury, even though his tests were showing clear just a week ago when he finished chelating with DMSA.

He draws the conclusion that the extra mercury came from his brain, and then when, his tests show no more (or very little) mercury coming out - **he assumes that thats the last of it from his brain**.

But it could be that large tracts of his brain are still full of mercury. If I, personally, was using Lipoic acid as a chelator (and, face it, there is no other agent good for brain mercury chelation), and if cost nor time wasnt that big an issue - what I would do is follow the normal racemate protocol. And AFTER THAT start using R-Lipoic acid for a few months to get any residual mercury out that may be in brain sectors that respond much better to R-Lipoic Acid (starting cautiously in small doses of course).

After all, if the fear is that R-Lipoic acid would be too strong and remove too much mercury - well, we already used racemate for a long while, didnt we?

Welcome Evilbaga!

I think your logic is very good. Use the mix until you don't get symptoms then use the pure R form for the final clearing just to be safe.

I'm on my 4th round using ALA and very glad to actually feel some difference in my brain already. It's really good that there is a safe way to remove this horrible metal from your brain!