Vitacost sent out popular ALA formulations to Alpha Laboratories for independent analysis: Natrol, TwinLab and our own NSI brand.
We wanted to ensure that the products we are selling meet or exceed the standards for dosage, quality and above all, price.
The test results "speak" for themselves. Our flagship NSI Alpha Lipoic Acid tested the highest for dosage amount
(a full 300 mg, exactly as promised on the label) and quality for the price. NSI Alpha Lipoic Acid, 300 mg costs just
$.83 per 1,000 mg.
As you read from the product description, Alpha lipoic acid is a vitamin-like substance that contains sulfur.
ALA plays an extremely important role in energy production within the cell. Perhaps alpha lipoic acid’s most unique quality
is that it’s effective as an antioxidant on both water- and fat-soluble free radicals.
A lot of research has been done on this valuable nutrient, and I’d like to share with you some of the most
recent findings into ALA’s functions…just this year alone:
"There is strong accumulating evidence that alpha-lipoic acid (LA) supplement is good insurance, and would
markedly improve human health." This comes from the September 2005 medical journal Medical Hypotheses.
The article goes on to illustrate that alpha lipoic acid has high potential for preventing and treating oxygen-related diseases.
ALA has also been cited as an effective treatment for acute pancreatitis. A study published in the World Journal of
Gastroenterology (August 2005) showed the effects 1 mg of injected alpha lipoic acid and CCK-octapeptide
(A hormone that regulates pancreatic enzymes.) had on rats. The injections were done near the abdominal wall, and the
procedure was repeated over 5 days, with the rats’ body weight, pancreatic weight and serum levels monitored.
The results showed that "ALA significantly decreased the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio and serum amylase and
lipase in CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis."
Finally, I came across a fascinating study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research just this past July.
Apparently, supplementation with alpha lipoic acid is linked to preventing bone loss. Oxidative stress is a major
factor of bone loss, and the researchers of this study sought to find how alpha lipoic acid could stave off the effects
TNF-alpha has on bone. TNF-alpha is an inflammatory-producing chemical, and may increase intracellular oxidative stress.
It was determined that pretreating cells (in this case, human bone marrow cells) with alpha lipoic acid not only prevented
detrimental changes caused by TNF-alpha, it helped provide a therapeutic effect on oxidative stress.
Most studies have used 600-1,800 mg per day of alpha lipoic acid for optimal benefits in people with specific health concerns.
If you are healthy and want to promote optimal health, a dose of 30-300 mg per day may be sufficient. Beware of products that
contain 500 mcg (1/2 mg)-10 mg; these doses are probably too little to provide any benefit.
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Products Ratings
Scale 1-5
5-Best, 1-Worst
Ratings are based on the following criteria:
- Superiority of nutrient levels
- Expected Overall Effectiveness of the formulation
- Safety of the formulation
- Value compared to other similar products
NSI Alpha Lipoic Acid -- 300 mg - 120 Capsules
Lab analysis indicates that a 300 mg capsule did indeed contain exactly 300 mg. The efficacy of this product would be considered superior because of the listed mg amount. The value of this formulation far exceeds that of the other tested products because it calculates out
to a total cost of $.34 per 1000 mg of alpha lipoic acid.
Ships within 24 hours
Natrol Alpha Lipoic Acid -- 300 mg - 50 Capsules
The lab analysis indicates that a 300 mg capsule contained 308 mg per capsule. The overall effectiveness of this formulation would be considered superior…however, the cost per 1000 mg is $1.35.
Ships within 24 hours
Twinlab Alpha Lipoic Acid -- 100 mg - 60 Capsules
According to the lab analysis, a 100 mg capsule of TwinLab contained 105 mg. This would be considered to be a superior product in terms of effectiveness. The cost, however, is $1.83 per 1000 mg— making it the most expensive of all products.
Ships within 24 hours
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