Question explored with the scientific record
tests alpha-lipoic acid plus creatine against creatine alone and creatine plus sucrose. It found that the lipoic acid combo boosted muscle creatine stores more than either of the other two. so how can i get an intake of th elipoic acid combo in everyday life
The short version: the 2003 study found that adding alpha-lipoic acid to creatine boosted muscle creatine stores more than creatine alone or with sugar, but the evidence is thin and old.
The study you are asking about [14] was small: only 4 people in the lipoic-acid-plus-creatine group, 6 in each of the other two. It was published in 2003, so the evidence is 23 years old and has not been replicated in a larger trial since. The study found that the lipoic acid combo raised total creatine in muscle from 138 to 157 mmol per kilogram of dry mass, a gain of about 14%. The creatine-only group and the creatine-plus-sucrose group did not show a statistically significant increase.
To implement this in everyday life, you would take about 5 grams of creatine monohydrate plus 600 to 1,000 milligrams of alpha-lipoic acid daily, based on the doses used in the study. Take them together, ideally on an empty stomach, because food reduces absorption of alpha-lipoic acid [8]. The alpha-lipoic acid should be the racemic form (R/S mixture), which is what most supplements sell. Be aware that alpha-lipoic acid can lower blood sugar [4, 8] and may interact with thyroid medication [8]. High doses over long periods might also compete with biotin absorption [8].
My call: the combination is plausible but rests on a single small 2003 study with no replication. If you try it, use the doses from the study and watch for hypoglycemia if you are on diabetes medication. Confidence: low.
Sources used 14
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Inhibition of adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation by alpha-lipoic acid and dihydroquercetin in vitro
This study investigates the antiplatelet activity of alpha-lipoic acid and dihydroquercetin, demonstrating that both compounds inhibit platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate in a concentration-dependent manner, with alpha-lipoic acid showing more pronounced effect…
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.135958 -
Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of alpha-lipoic acid in experimentally induced acute otitis media
Alpha-lipoic acid reduces inflammation and oxidative tissue damage in an experimental guinea pig model of acute otitis media, with the combination of alpha-lipoic acid and penicillin G providing the strongest protective effects on epithelial integrity, histology, and oxidative s…
DOI: 10.1017/S0022215116001183 -
Role of alpha-lipoic acid in ameliorating Cyclosporine A-induced pancreatic injury in albino rats: A structural, ultrastructural, and morphometric study
This study investigates the protective effects of alpha-lipoic acid against cyclosporine A-induced pancreatic injury in male albino rats, demonstrating that alpha-lipoic acid can ameliorate structural and ultrastructural changes in pancreatic cells caused by cyclosporine A treat…
DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2017.1286422 -
Reduction in maternal serum values of glucose and gamma‐glutamyltransferase after supplementation with alpha‐lipoic acid in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
In a randomized double-blind trial of 60 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus, 8 weeks of 100 mg/day alpha-lipoic acid supplementation reduced fasting blood glucose, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and liver enzymes, increased circulating alpha-lipoic acid, and lowered t…
DOI: 10.1111/jog.13842 -
Comparative evaluation of the electrophysiological, functional and ultrastructural effects of alpha lipoic acid and cyanocobalamin administration in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury
This study compares the neuroprotective and regenerative effects of alpha lipoic acid and cyanocobalamin in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury, finding that while both treatments improve recovery, alpha lipoic acid is more effective functionally.
DOI: 10.3233/bmr-150386 -
Evaluation of protective effects of the alpha lipoic acid after spinal cord injury: An animal study
This study evaluates the protective effects of alpha lipoic acid on traumatic spinal cord injury in rats, finding that while it reduces lipid peroxidation levels, it does not significantly alter tissue necrosis or myeloperoxidation levels compared to methylprednisolone.
DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2010.05.027 -
Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Are Involved in the Protective Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid Against Heat Damage in Chicken Testes
Alpha-lipoic acid mitigates heat-induced testicular injury in chickens by reducing oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, modulating apoptosis, and reactivating steroidogenic pathways to restore testosterone synthesis.
DOI: 10.3390/ani10030384 -
ALPHA LIPOIC LIPOIC ACID IN CLINICAL ACID IN CLINICAL APPLICA APPLICATION
Alpha-lipoic acid is a versatile antioxidant with dual solubility that enables broad clinical use as a preventive and therapeutic agent across metabolic, hepatic, neurovascular, infectious, and toxin-induced oxidative injuries, with established pharmacokinetics and safety consid…
DOI: 10.70949/pramed200901283v -
The protective effects of alpha lipoic acid on methotrexate induced testis injury in rats
This study investigates the protective effects of alpha lipoic acid on testicular injury induced by methotrexate in a rat model, demonstrating that ALA mitigates oxidative stress and tissue damage.
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.078 -
Effect of alpha‐lipoic acid and myoinositol on endometrial inflammasome from recurrent pregnancy loss women
In idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss women, oral alpha-lipoic acid plus myoinositol (Sinopol) reduced endometrial NALP-3 inflammasome expression and activation, with alpha-lipoic acid alone showing the strongest effect, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, EL…
DOI: 10.1111/aji.13153 -
Alpha-Lipoic Acid Modulates GFAP, Vimentin, Nestin, Cyclin D1 and MAP-Kinase Espression in Astroglial Cell Cultures
This study investigates the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on the expression of key proteins involved in proliferation and differentiation in astroglial cell cultures, revealing significant modulation of GFAP, vimentin, nestin, cyclin D1, and MAP-kinase expression under various tr…
DOI: 10.1007/s11064-010-0256-6 -
Synergic prooxidant, apoptotic and TRPV1 channel activator effects of alpha-lipoic acid and cisplatin in MCF-7 breast cancer cells
This study investigates the synergistic effects of alpha-lipoic acid and cisplatin on apoptosis and oxidative stress in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, revealing that their combination enhances the pro-apoptotic and pro-oxidant effects through TRPV1 channel activation.
DOI: 10.1080/10799893.2017.1369121 -
Alpha-lipoic acid: Antioxidant potency against lipid peroxidation of neural tissues in vitro and implications for diabetic neuropathy
This study investigates the antioxidant effects of alpha-lipoic acid on lipid peroxidation in neural tissues, demonstrating its potential to reduce oxidative stress associated with diabetic neuropathy.
DOI: 10.1016/0891-5849(96)00172-4 -
Effect of α-Lipoic Acid Combined with Creatine Monohydrate on Human Skeletal Muscle Creatine and Phosphagen Concentration
This study investigates the effect of α-lipoic acid combined with creatine monohydrate on enhancing human skeletal muscle creatine and phosphagen concentrations, finding that the combination significantly increases muscle total creatine content compared to creatine alone or with…
DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.13.3.294