Protect your body at the cellular level with ALPHA LIPOIC ACID 100mg from NOW Foods. Often referred to by biochemists and nutritional researchers as the “universal antioxidant,” Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is uniquely capable of working in both water-soluble and fat-soluble environments throughout the human body. Paired synergistically with 250 mg of Vitamin C and 20 mg of Vitamin E, this targeted 100 mg formulation delivers daily defense against oxidative stress while supporting healthy cellular energy production, nerve comfort, and glucose metabolism.
Brand & SKUNOW Foods (Item # N3040)
UPC Barcode733739030405
Serving & Form60 Vegetarian Capsules (Vcaps®)
Dietary AttributesVegan, Non-GMO, Kosher
What Is Alpha Lipoic Acid 100mg? The “Universal Antioxidant” in Plain Terms
To understand why ALPHA LIPOIC ACID 100mg is so beneficial, it helps to understand how your body handles daily cellular wear and tear. Every breath you take and every meal converted into fuel produces microscopic byproducts called free radicals. When excess free radicals accumulate, they damage cell membranes, age tissues, and stress delicate nerves through a process known as oxidative stress.
Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals before damage occurs. However, most common antioxidants are restricted by physical biological boundaries:
Water-soluble antioxidants (such as Vitamin C): Circulate readily through aqueous fluids like blood plasma, but cannot penetrate fatty cell membranes.
Fat-soluble antioxidants (such as Vitamin E): Reside inside lipid cellular membranes, but cannot navigate water-based intracellular fluid.
Alpha Lipoic Acid bridges this gap completely. Because ALA is amphiphilic (dissolving smoothly in both water and fat), it crosses virtually every biological barrier in the body—including cellular membranes and the blood-brain barrier. It provides whole-cell protection inside and out, earning its medical reputation as the “universal antioxidant” (Packer, Witt, & Tritschler, Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 1995).
The Synergy Triad: How ALA Recycles Vitamins C & E and Glutathione
NOW Foods intentionally combines Alpha Lipoic Acid (100 mg) with Vitamin C (250 mg) and Vitamin E (20 mg / ~30 IU) to unlock a powerful biochemical feedback loop.
When typical antioxidants neutralize a free radical, they lose electrons, become oxidized, and are temporarily exhausted. Normally, the body must discard or replace them. Alpha Lipoic Acid resolves this limitation through enzymatic antioxidant recycling:
✓Recharges Spent Vitamin C: ALA donates electrons back to oxidized ascorbic acid molecules, restoring them to an active, radical-scavenging state (Bilska & Włodek, Pharmacological Reports, 2005).
✓Regenerates Spent Vitamin E: Working alongside restored Vitamin C, ALA reactivates alpha-tocopherol within lipid cell walls to maintain continuous membrane integrity.
✓Stimulates Glutathione Production: Glutathione serves as the liver's master detoxifier. Clinical studies confirm that ALA elevates cellular glutathione levels by increasing the intracellular transport of cysteine (Shay et al., Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 2009).
Rather than relying on single-use nutrient pathways, this formulation creates a self-replenishing protective shield across your cells.
Scientifically-Backed Health Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid 100mg
Beyond functioning as a systemic free radical scavenger, Alpha Lipoic Acid serves as an indispensable mitochondrial coenzyme. Key biological benefits supported by published research include:
1. Healthy Peripheral Nerve Comfort
Extremities are particularly sensitive to free radical damage. Randomized controlled clinical trials, including the landmark SYDNEY 2 trial published in Diabetes Care (Ziegler et al., 2006), demonstrate that oral ALA improves microcirculation to nerves, supports normal conduction velocity, and alleviates sensations of numbness, burning, and tingling.
Alpha Lipoic Acid assists glucose handling by activating AMPK enzymes and facilitating the translocation of GLUT4 glucose transporters to muscle cell surfaces, helping cells uptake glucose from the bloodstream efficiently for energy (Rochette et al., Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 2013).
3. Mitochondrial Vitality & Cellular ATP Energy
Mitochondria rely on Alpha Lipoic Acid as a critical cofactor in multienzyme complexes, such as pyruvate dehydrogenase, to convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into cellular ATP energy, bolstering stamina and mitochondrial vitality.
4. Cardiovascular & Endothelial Integrity
By mitigating lipid peroxidation in arterial walls and defending vascular endothelial cells against free radical oxidation, ALA supports healthy nitric oxide production, normal vascular relaxation, and circulation.
Formulation data is aligned with official manufacturer specifications and verified through current FDA dietary supplement labeling criteria.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Veg Capsule (Vcap®)
Servings Per Container: 60
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid)
250 mg (278% DV)
Vitamin E (as d-alpha Tocopheryl Succinate)
20 mg [~30 IU] (133% DV)
Alpha Lipoic Acid
100 mg (†)
† Daily Value (DV) not established.
Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Full Ingredients & Allergen Declarations
Other Ingredients: Rice Flour, Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Stearic Acid (vegetable source), and Silicon Dioxide.
Allergen Information: Contains Vitamin E derived from non-GMO soy. Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a certified Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Purity & Quality Notes: Discard enclosed inedible freshness packet. Natural color variation may occur in this product. Store in a cool, dry place after opening.
How to Take Alpha Lipoic Acid 100mg: Dosage & Best Timing
Following standardized usage practices ensures high bioavailability and comfortable digestion:
Suggested Dosage
Take 1 vegetarian capsule, 1 to 2 times daily. A single 100 mg capsule daily provides balanced long-term antioxidant maintenance.
Meal Timing Considerations
Taking this formula alongside a meal prevents potential mild stomach warmth and optimizes the intestinal absorption of the co-formulated fat-soluble Vitamin E.
Hydration Routine
Always swallow each capsule with a full 8-ounce glass of pure water. Maintain consistent daily timing, such as every morning with breakfast.
Health Safety, Drug Interactions & Precautions
Because Alpha Lipoic Acid actively interacts with human cellular metabolism and blood glucose utilization, responsible clinical transparency is paramount. Review these key health considerations:
Important Drug Interactions & Conditions to Monitor:
Diabetes & Hypoglycemic Medications: Because ALA improves insulin sensitivity and cellular sugar uptake, combining it with insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, or other prescription blood-sugar-lowering drugs may lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Monitor blood sugar levels closely and consult your physician.
Thyroid Medications (e.g., Levothyroxine): ALA can interact with thyroid hormone conversion. If taking prescription thyroid replacement, schedule ALA at least 4 hours apart from your medication and consult your endocrinologist.
Chemotherapy Protocols: Potent antioxidants can counteract the therapeutic oxidative mechanisms of select chemotherapy treatments. Always consult your oncologist prior to use.
Pregnancy & Nursing: Formulated for adult use only. If pregnant, nursing, or scheduling upcoming surgery, seek medical clearance from your healthcare provider.
*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always speak with your qualified physician before beginning any new dietary supplement.
The VitaNet® Difference: 30+ Years of Hands-On Nutritional Trust
Online supplement marketplaces are often crowded with third-party resellers, expired lots, and unmonitored storage conditions. Purchasing from a dedicated natural health specialist guarantees authentic product integrity:
✓Family-Owned Independence Since 1995: Founded in Hartville, Ohio, VitaNet®, LLC brings over 31 years of hands-on industry experience and a practical understanding of human biochemistry to online natural health retail[cite: 1].
✓100% Guaranteed Factory-Direct Authenticity: We source directly from vetted brand partners like NOW Foods, KAL, and Solaray to ensure pristine enzyme and antioxidant potency[cite: 1].
✓Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: We stand fully behind every product by refunding 100% of your purchase price and paying the return shipping costs—whether the bottle is opened or unopened[cite: 1].
✓Direct Human Customer Support: Speak directly with our dedicated Ohio retail team at (330) 877-8786 during store business hours[cite: 1].
Scientific References & Authoritative Citations
Our educational insights are directly supported by clinical consensus and peer-reviewed biomedical literature:
Packer, L., Witt, E. H., & Tritschler, H. J. (1995). Alpha-lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 19(2), 227–250. DOI: 10.1016/0891-5849(95)00017-R. (Establishes ALA as the universal antioxidant capable of scavenging free radicals in both lipid and aqueous biological environments).
Ziegler, D., Ametov, A., Barinov, A., et al. (2006). Oral treatment with α-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial. Diabetes Care, 29(11), 2365–2370. DOI: 10.2337/dc06-1216. (Clinical human evidence confirming oral ALA improves peripheral sensory nerve function, comfort, and neuropathic symptoms).
Shay, K. P., Moreau, R. F., Smith, E. J., Smith, A. R., & Hagen, T. M. (2009). Alpha-lipoic acid as a dietary supplement: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects, 1790(10), 1149–1160. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2009.07.026. (Details mitochondrial enzyme activity, cellular cysteine uptake, and endogenous glutathione synthesis).
Rochette, L., Ghibu, S., Richard, C., Zeller, M., Cottin, Y., & Vergely, C. (2013). Direct and indirect antioxidant properties of α-lipoic acid and its positive effects on glucose metabolism and cardiovascular markers. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 91(5), 337–345. DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2012-0355. (Reviews GLUT4 transporter translocation, vascular endothelium support, and insulin sensitivity).
Bilska, A., & Włodek, L. (2005). Lipoic acid – the drug of the future? Pharmacological Reports, 57(5), 570–577. PMID: 16227639. (Describes the biochemical mechanism of recycling oxidized ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol back into their active antioxidant forms).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is ALPHA LIPOIC ACID 100mg used for?
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID 100mg is primarily used to neutralize damaging free radicals throughout the body, support peripheral nerve health (such as occasional numbness or tingling in the hands and feet), promote healthy cellular energy production in the mitochondria, and maintain normal glucose metabolism.
Why is this formula combined with Vitamins C and E?
Alpha Lipoic Acid has the unique biological ability to recycle spent Vitamins C and E. By pairing 100 mg of ALA with 250 mg of Vitamin C and 20 mg of Vitamin E, NOW Foods creates a self-recharging antioxidant loop that extends the protective lifespan of these vital nutrients inside your tissues.
What is the best time of day to take Alpha Lipoic Acid 100mg?
Most people achieve optimal results taking 1 capsule in the morning or early afternoon with a meal. Taking it with food protects against mild stomach sensitivity and aids in the absorption of the fat-soluble Vitamin E included in the capsule.
Can Alpha Lipoic Acid lower my blood sugar levels?
Yes, Alpha Lipoic Acid can improve insulin sensitivity and stimulate cellular glucose uptake. If you take prescription diabetes medications or insulin, speak with your doctor before supplementing, as your medication dose may require adjustment to prevent hypoglycemia.
Are NOW Alpha Lipoic Acid 100mg capsules vegan and allergen-free?
Yes. The capsule is made from hypromellose (vegetable cellulose), making it completely vegetarian and vegan. It contains no wheat, gluten, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. The Vitamin E is derived from non-GMO soy.
What is VitaNet's return policy if this product does not meet my needs?
VitaNet® offers an unconditional 100% money-back guarantee, refunding 100% of the purchase price and covering return shipping costs whether the bottle is opened or unopened[cite: 1].
