Sustained 24-hour cellular defense, nerve comfort, and healthy blood sugar support in a gradual-release vegetarian tablet.
Your body works around the clock to create energy, but that same energy-making process creates unstable molecules called free radicals. Think of free radicals like internal rust: over time, they can wear down nerve fibers, cloud vision, and slow down your cellular engines.
Source Naturals Alpha Lipoic Acid Timed Release 300 mg delivers what scientists call the "universal antioxidant." While standard alpha lipoic acid (ALA) supplements flush out of your bloodstream within an hour, this advanced timed-release matrix dissolves slowly. It gives your cells a steady, continuous stream of protection throughout the day to support normal blood glucose levels, promote healthy peripheral nerve function, and recharge your body's master antioxidant defenses.
The Timed-Release Advantage: Why Gradual Delivery Matters
Not all alpha-lipoic acid supplements work the same way in your body. Regular, immediate-release ALA is absorbed quickly, but human clinical pharmacokinetic trials show that its plasma half-life is only about 30 minutes (Teichert et al., 2003). That means standard pills trigger a quick spike in blood levels followed by a sharp drop, leaving your tissues without protection for most of the day.
Standard Immediate-Release ALA
Spikes blood levels fast, then clears out in 30 to 60 minutes.
High rapid peaks can cause mild heartburn or stomach burn.
Requires taking 3 to 4 pills daily to maintain tissue coverage.
Source Naturals Timed Release 300 mg
✓ Embedded in a plant-cellulose matrix for slow, steady absorption.
✓ Delivers smooth, sustained blood levels without the sudden crash.
✓ Much gentler on sensitive digestive tracts.
Key Health Benefits Backed by Clinical Science
1. Peripheral Nerve Health & Everyday Comfort
When excess blood sugar lingers in the bloodstream, it produces oxidative stress that can irritate delicate nerve endings, especially in the hands and feet. This often feels like tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation.
Clinical Evidence: In landmark multi-center double-blind trials, including the ALADIN Study (Ziegler et al., 1995) and the SYDNEY 2 Trial (Ziegler et al., 2006), daily oral supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid significantly reduced neuropathic symptom scores, easing tingling, burning, and numbness by restoring microcirculation and calming oxidative stress around peripheral nerves.
2. Balanced Blood Sugar & Insulin Sensitivity
Your cells need insulin to open their "doors" and let glucose in to be burned as fuel. When cells become sluggish and resistant to insulin, glucose backs up in the blood. Alpha-lipoic acid helps activate an enzyme called AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), which assists glucose transporters (GLUT4) in shuttling blood sugar directly into muscle cells.
Clinical Evidence: Clinical trials demonstrated that oral alpha-lipoic acid supplementation improved insulin-stimulated glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity in individuals with metabolic challenges by up to 27% compared to placebo (Jacob et al., 1999).
3. Cellular Energy Generation Inside Mitochondria
Beyond its antioxidant role, alpha-lipoic acid is an indispensable co-factor for critical multi-enzyme complexes in your mitochondria (such as pyruvate dehydrogenase). Without adequate lipoic acid, your cells cannot efficiently turn dietary carbohydrates and fats into usable cellular ATP energy.
The "Universal Antioxidant": How ALA Recycles Other Nutrients
Most antioxidants have strict limits. Vitamin C only dissolves in water, meaning it can only protect watery spaces like blood and interior cell fluid. Vitamin E only dissolves in fat, meaning it stays locked inside fatty cell membranes.
Alpha-lipoic acid is unique because it is both water-soluble and fat-soluble. It moves freely into every part of your cells, and it is even capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to protect delicate brain and neural tissue (Packer, Witt, & Tritschler, 1995).
The Antioxidant Recycling Network:
When vitamins C and E neutralize a free radical, they become "spent" and can no longer defend your body. Groundbreaking research led by Dr. Lester Packer at UC Berkeley proved that alpha-lipoic acid acts as the battery charger of the immune system:
✓ Directly recycles used Vitamin C back into its active form.
✓ Indirectly regenerates Vitamin E to continue protecting cell membranes.
✓ Boosts internal levels of Glutathione, the liver's master detoxifying antioxidant.
✓ Neutralizes a wide range of dangerous free radicals, including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.
Nutrient Synergy: How to Maximize Your Results
Source Naturals formulated this 300 mg timed-release tablet to integrate seamlessly with your daily supplement routine. Clinical practitioners frequently recommend pairing alpha-lipoic acid with the following targeted cofactors:
B-Complex Vitamins (especially B1, B6, and B12): B vitamins work hand-in-hand with ALA to support the structural myelin sheath that insulates and protects your nerves.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): CoQ10 functions alongside ALA inside the mitochondrial electron transport chain to convert oxygen and food into clean cellular stamina.
Magnesium: Relaxes blood vessels and peripheral muscles while assisting healthy enzymatic nerve conduction.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR): Research shows carnitine works synergistically with lipoic acid to transport fatty acids into cells for fuel burning while supporting cognitive clarity.
✓ Hypoallergenic & Vegetarian Formula: Contains NO yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn, soy, or wheat. Contains NO sugar, starch, salt, artificial colors, artificial flavors, fragrances, or chemical preservatives. Manufactured in the USA under strict FDA cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) guidelines.
Suggested Use, Dosage & Safety Directions
Recommended Daily Serving: Take 1 to 2 tablets daily, or as directed by your healthcare professional. For continuous round-the-clock antioxidant support, take 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet in the late afternoon or evening.
With or Without Food: Timed-release tablets are gentle and can be taken with or without meals. If you have a sensitive stomach, taking your dose alongside a light meal or snack prevents mild digestive acidity.
Important Medical Considerations & Drug Interactions:
Diabetes Medications: Because alpha-lipoic acid enhances cellular insulin sensitivity and supports glucose uptake, it may amplify the blood-sugar-lowering effect of prescription diabetes medications (such as insulin, metformin, or sulfonylureas). Regularly check your blood sugar levels and consult your physician to adjust prescription dosages if needed.
Mineral Chelating: ALA binds loosely to minerals. Space your ALA dose at least 2 hours apart from iron, calcium, or magnesium supplements.
Pregnancy & Nursing: If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult your healthcare practitioner before taking this product.
Do not use if either tamper-evident seal is broken or missing. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes timed-release Alpha Lipoic Acid better than standard ALA capsules?
Standard immediate-release ALA is cleared out of your bloodstream within roughly 30 to 60 minutes. Timed-release tablets use a natural plant cellulose matrix to slowly release ALA over many hours. This maintains steady protective antioxidant levels in your tissues all day long without requiring you to take pills every few hours.
What dose of Alpha Lipoic Acid is used for nerve tingling and peripheral neuropathy?
Most major clinical trials, such as the landmark SYDNEY 2 study, established that an oral dose of 600 mg daily provides optimal clinical benefits for nerve comfort and tingling. Taking two tablets of Source Naturals 300 mg timed-release ALA supplies this exact 600 mg daily level.
How long does it take to notice results with Alpha Lipoic Acid?
Antioxidant defense and glucose utilization benefits begin at the cellular level within hours of your first dose. For nerve-related comfort and reduced peripheral tingling in the feet and fingers, clinical studies demonstrate measurable improvement typically within 3 to 5 weeks of consistent daily supplementation.
Does Alpha Lipoic Acid help with weight management or metabolism?
ALA supports metabolic rate by acting as an essential coenzyme inside your cellular mitochondria, helping your body convert carbohydrates and lipids into energy rather than storing them as fat. While not a standalone weight loss pill, it promotes healthy body composition when combined with regular physical activity and balanced nutrition.
Can I take this supplement if I take prescription diabetes medication?
Because alpha-lipoic acid naturally enhances cellular insulin sensitivity, it can increase the effectiveness of blood glucose medications (like metformin or insulin), potentially causing your blood sugar to drop faster. Always speak with your prescribing doctor before starting ALA so they can help you monitor your glucose readings safely.
Peer-Reviewed Scientific References
Ziegler, D., Ametov, A., Barinov, A., et al. (2006). Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial. Diabetes Care, 29(11), 2365-2370. [PMID: 17065669]
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. [PMID: 7649494]
Jacob, S., Ruus, P., Hermann, R., et al. (1999). Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled pilot trial. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 27(3-4), 309-314. [PMID: 10468203]
Ziegler, D., Hanefeld, M., Ruhnau, K. J., et al. (1995). Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A 3-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study). Diabetologia, 38(12), 1425-1433. [PMID: 8786016]
Teichert, J., Tuemmers, T., Achenbach, H., et al. (2003). Investigations on the pharmacokinetics of alpha-lipoic acid in healthy volunteers. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 41(6), 249-260. [PMID: 12841699]
*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.
