Supplement Review - Part 1

Once again I have decided to use myself as a guinea pig for the few of you that actually read my blog. I have started to use a new supplement called R-ALA (R[+]-Alpha Lipoic Acid). I have heard that this is one of the few supplements that may actually be effective and have any effect on someones body fat..

Suggested use on bottle: Take 2 pills 4 times daily with meals. Each pill is 100mg of R-ALA.

My Use: 2 pills 15 minutes before every major meal. Which I have 3 of a day, so daily I would be taking in 600 mg.

Basically, R-ALA increases your muscles uptake of glycogen. This increases muscle cell volume and contributes to that full pumped feeling when you workout. This is a very desirable effect as the increase in muscle glycogen also increases other important nutrient transport that contributes to cell volume and muscle growth.

R-ALA is not a thermogenic but it does appear to contribute to favorable body composition changes. This is believed to be due to a nutrient partitioning effect where nutrients are channeled more to lean tissue and away from fat tissue.

R-ALA is also one of the most potent antioxidants available. And, when taken with other antioxidants it actually enhances their antioxidant abilities.

R-ALA will help enhance the efficiency of many different supplements. One in particular is Creatine. R-ALA will help enhance the absorption of creatine into the muscle cell by providing a transport vehicle by its unique ability to mimic insulin.

R-ALA is also one of the most potent antioxidants available. And, when taken with other antioxidants it actually enhances their antioxidant abilities.

The reason I am taking R-ALA is that it helps break down sugar for the production of ATP, the fuel used by cells to keep the body running. This activity helps to ensure that ingested carbohydrates will be used as fuel, and not stored as fat. As many may know this will help us carbohydrate sensitive people greatly. Many people using R-ALA report higher energy levels for sustained periods of time. ( I have yet to notice this effect)

Facts:

R- Alpha Lipoic Acid is the only form of lipoic acid that:

• your body synthesizes and can safely metabolize.
• is proven to significantly reduce inflammation, an underlying cause of aging.
• is proven to significantly increase your cellular and mitochondrial antioxidant activity for preventing mitochondrial decay. This effectively attenuates the reported increase in oxidative stress with aging.
• is proven to improve memory.
• is proven to significantly increase insulin sensitivity, enhance glucose transport, increase metabolic rate, and reduce the gain in body fat from aging.
• is proven to protect body fats against oxidative damage, chelate harmful metals, and help maintain a healthy heart.
• is proven to significantly increase or maintain levels of other antioxidants, including Coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione