Acids Articles

Difference Between Alpha Lipoic Acid and R-Lipoic Acid

Vineet Nanda

Updated on 25-Apr-2023 18K+ Views

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and R-lipoic acid (RLA) are two different forms of the antioxidant molecule lipoic acid. Although they share a similar chemical structure, they have some distinct differences in their properties and benefits. In this essay, we will explore the differences between alpha lipoic acid and R-lipoic acid. What is Alpha Lipoic Acid? Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), also known as 1, 2-dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid is a compound that contains sulfur along with atoms of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It includes both the unnatural enantiomer that is known as the s-lipoic acid (SLA) and the natural enantiomer that is known ...