Frequently Asked Questions

What is R-Lipoic Acid?

If it is naturally occurring within our bodies, then why do we need to take lipoic acid as a supplement?

What is it used to treat?

What makes HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid better than all others?

What is D-Biotin and why is it included in HUMAX R-Lipoic acid?

I am vegetarian- can I take HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid?

What is the “R” in HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid?

Does that mean regular alpha lipoic acid is no good?

Where can I buy HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid?

What if this list doesn’t answer my questions?

Q. What is R-Lipoic Acid?

Alpha Lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound found in every cell in the body. Key Health Benefits Include:

An Important Sport Nutrient
Research indicates that Alpha lipoic acid may help transport creatine into muscle where it can be used as energy during exercise. This research shows that alpha lipoic acid can help improve carbohydrate and creatine uptake in muscles. Alpha lipoic acid's antioxidant properties are believed to help minimize muscle damage and the amount of oxidation associated with exercise. It may also play an important role in energy production, which is needed by the muscles during resistance training.

Q. If it is naturally occurring within our bodies, then why do we need to take lipoic acid as a supplement?

There are at least four good reasons.
First, as we age, our bodies lose the ability to synthesize enough Lipoic acid, right at the time when we most need it.

Second, you cannot get sufficient quantities from your foods. Spinach contains the highest amounts of RLA, but you would need to eat 700 pounds of spinach per day to get 100 mg of RLA!

Third, the body produces small amounts of R-Lipoic acid for metabolism that may not be of sufficient quantity to neutralize rising free radical concentrations as we age.

Fourth, a minimum amount is necessary for normal metabolic processes, but taking larger amounts may have pronounced therapeutic effects by altering the cellular redox status which regulates the expression of genes.

Q. What is it used to treat?

Many people think it can help extend the life of the cell mitochondria and thus human life. Lipoic acid has been published in medical journals and used for treatments of:

Lipoic Acid is used in Europe in doses between 500 mg and 1000 mg /day for the treatment of diabetes. It has a profound effect on normalizing blood sugar, reducing glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and reversing a variety of neuropathies.

The newest and hottest areas of R-Lipoic acid research are: the treatment of HIV/AIDS; the treatment of neuro-degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and the reduction of systemic inflammation. It was discovered that a person infected with the HIV virus but not yet manifesting the full blown syndrome characterized as AIDS, can prevent the virus from activating within the body by consuming large doses of R-Lipoic every day. A person that has AIDS can actually prevent the virus from further replication by consuming 45 grams/day of R-Lipoic Acid.

Lipoic acid is currently being tested with promising results for treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's. Both of these diseases have a common underlying cause involving free radical damage and inflammation.

Another exciting area of research resulted from the recent discovery that chronic systemic inflammation is a prerequisite for ALL the chronic degenerative disease of aging. New tests can measure levels of a variety of chemicals in the blood that are markers for the degree of inflammation within the tissues of the body. In general, as we age these levels increase and predispose us toward the developing cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, etc. All these disease processes have a common underlying basis that may be positively affected by Lipoic acid.

If Lipoic Acid is so useful therapeutically, why aren’t the big pharmaceutical companies developing it?

Chemical/pharmaceutical giants are developing it in Europe. Because Lipoic Acid is a naturally occurring product, in the United States it falls under DSHEA. This means that the FDA considers Lipoic Acid as a nutrient rather than a drug. Therefore no pharmaceutical company can own exclusive rights to it. Instead, they try to patent the methods to make it, compound it and use it in attempts to limit competition.

Q. What makes HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid better than all others?
It is stabilized as a potassium salt.

So why is this important? This means that HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid is a shelf-stable superior product.

Lipoic Acid products are inherently unstable. Exposure to even small amounts of heat (sitting in a car on a warm day) easily polymerizes most lipoic acids into a useless compound with the texture of rubber. Most lipoic acids break down and are useless after being on the shelf for 30 days. HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid would take 3 years or more to do the same. This means that when you buy HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid you will have consistent quality in every capsule. To learn more about the natural R form of lipoic acid and why all lipoic acid products are not created equal, click HERE

Q. What is D-Biotin and why is included in HUMAX R-Lipoic acid?

D-Biotin aids in the utilization of protein, folic acid, Pantothenic acid, and Vitamin B-12, as well as promotes healthy hair growth. Deficiency may lead to extreme exhaustion, drowsiness, muscle pain, loss of appetite, depression, and grayish skin color.

D-Biotin can become depleted at high doses of Lipoic acid.

Q. I am vegetarian- can I take HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid?

HUMAX R-Lipoic acid is currently available in 100mg vegan capsules and contains 150 micrograms of optically active D-Biotin. There are no animal products whatsoever.

Q. What is the R in HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid?

Standard Alpha Lipoic Acid products are a mixture of the (R+) and (S-) isomers. HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid contains only the R isomer. This is the only form that the body naturally produces.

Learn more about Chirality (What makes a compound either R+ or S-). here

Learn More about the Natural form of R-Lipoic Acid HERE

Find out what the experts are saying about R-Lipoic Acid here

Q. Does that mean regular alpha lipoic acid is no good?

Remember, alpha lipoic acid contains 50% of the natural R-form and 50% of the unnatural S-form. Most of the therapeutic value lies in the R-form. That is the reason why people get results when they take an alpha Lipoic acid supplement.

Therefore you should be able to take twice as much alpha-lipoic acid and get the same amount of the R-form, and therefore same benefit, right?

It’s not quite that simple, although until recently researchers thought this was the case. There is new evidence surfacing that the unnatural S-form may actually interfere with the beneficial properties of the Rform. In one study with mice, alpha Lipoic acid at high doses shortened the mean lifespan, but even at low doses, the R- form increased total life-span. In another study SLA was ineffective in treatment of diabetes and inhibited ATP production. Therefore it may be best to avoid the S-form altogether in order to achieve maximum benefits.

Q. Where can I buy HUMAX R-Lipoic Acid?

Click here to buy now.

Q. What if this list doesn’t answer my questions?
Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.

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The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.