Alpha Lipoic Acid – Part 3 - Health Plus Digest

There is some potential for side effects and interactions with medications and other dietary supplements which an individual may already be taking. For this reason it is important to share your intention to begin supplementation with Alpha Lipoic Acid with your primary care physician and pharmacists. At this time there is no evidence to determine whether or not it is safe for women who are pregnant or nursing and as such, women should not take the supplement if they are pregnant or nursing an infant. Side effects are generally rare and can include a skin rash. (4)

The antioxidant has been shown to lower blood sugar levels so those who suffer from Diabetes should take it only under the supervision of their physician who can help them to adjust their insulin intake to avoid any hypoglycemic episodes. There has been some animal studies which have suggested that people who are deficient in Thiamine, Vitamin B1, should not take this antioxidant. Individuals who are currently taking thyroid regulating medication should also be monitored closely when they take this antioxidant because they can lower levels of thyroid hormone.

Although Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant and manufactured normally in the body, it is evident that it does have interactions with other over-the-counter medications and prescription medications which an individual may already be on. Although many people believe that using natural supplementation is perfectly safe, they are still external chemicals being introduced into the body and can therefore create circumstances in which the drug interactions or side effects may interfere with the treatment of any other underlying diseases.

Before taking any medications or supplementation check with your pharmacist to be sure that the supplement does not interfere with the actions of any other prescription or over-the-counter medication you are already taking.

References:

(1) Linus Pauling Institute Oregon State University: Alpha Lipoic Acid

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/la/

(2) University of Maryland Medical Center: Alpha-Lipoic Acid

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/alpha-lipoic-000285.htm

(3) Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes:Alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy in Germany: current evidence from clinical trials

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10595592

(4) Drugs.com: Alpha-Lipoic Acid

http://www.drugs.com/npp/alpha-lipoic-acid.html