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Can Alpha Lipoic Acid Lower Blood Sugar?
Alpha lipoic acid and blood sugar are linked by a caution: alpha lipoic acid (ALA) may lower blood sugar, and it may add to the effect of diabetes medicines. Synaptril lists ALA in its blend, so anyone who checks glucose or takes such medicines should ask a clinician first.
Written by the Synaptril label deskUpdated · 4 min read
Does alpha lipoic acid lower blood sugar?
Alpha lipoic acid may lower blood sugar, which is why sources flag it. Memorial Sloan Kettering lists low blood sugar as a side effect and says ALA may add to blood-sugar-lowering drugs (MSKCC About Herbs, Alpha-Lipoic Acid).
The Linus Pauling Institute calls the risk theoretical and advises people on insulin or diabetes pills to monitor glucose (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic Acid).
How much alpha lipoic acid is in Synaptril?
The label does not say. Alpha lipoic acid is second in a 575 mg blend, with no printed amount.
Magnesium glycinate is about 14% magnesium (GlobalRPH, Magnesium Glycinate), so the 80 mg of magnesium uses about 567 mg of the blend. Even with a richer grade, ALA gets at most about 175 mg. Studies used about 200 to 1,800 mg a day (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic Acid).
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Human studies, per day | About 200 to 1,800 mg |
| One Synaptril capsule | Not printed; at most about 175 mg |
Tap a number to read that part of the panel.
- Serving
Serving size 1 capsule; 30 servings per container.
- Magnesium 80 mg
As magnesium glycinate from the proprietary blend: 19% of the Daily Value.
- 19% DV
The Daily Value for magnesium is 420 mg, so 80 mg is 19%.
- Proprietary blend, 575 mg
Six ingredients share 575 mg, listed most to least by weight.
- The six lines
Magnesium glycinate, alpha lipoic acid, butcher's broom root, L-carnitine, turmeric (95% curcuminoids), CoQ10.
- Other ingredients
The capsule shell and flow agents. No sweetener, caffeine or color is listed.
Who should ask a clinician first?
Anyone who uses insulin, a blood sugar pill or a glucose monitor should ask a clinician before taking a product with ALA. The Synaptril label asks the same of anyone on a medication.
Two things that push glucose down can add up. Stay on your prescribed medicine, and never adjust a dose because of a supplement.
A rare problem, insulin autoimmune syndrome, can follow ALA in people with a genetic risk; about 27 cases are reported (MSKCC About Herbs, Alpha-Lipoic Acid). Sudden confusion or slurred speech means call 911.
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See packsWhat should you bring to a clinician visit about alpha lipoic acid?
Bring the Synaptril label, your medicine list and any glucose readings, because those three show whether alpha lipoic acid matters in your case.
- The Supplement Facts panel, which puts alpha lipoic acid second in a 575 mg blend with no amount.
- Every diabetes medicine you use, insulin included.
- Dated readings from a glucose monitor, if you have one.
- Your question: is an amount nobody prints worth the guesswork?
A worked example shows the gap. The ceiling of about 175 mg is under the 200 mg low end of the studied range, so a capsule is below 90% of the smallest daily amount in studies. The true figure may be far lower.
Where can you read more?
The ALA profile covers the ingredient in full. Read the alpha lipoic acid profile, the supplements and medicines guide and the post on alpha lipoic acid side effects.
FAQ01
Synaptril questions people ask
Can I take alpha lipoic acid if I have diabetes?
Ask your clinician first. ALA may lower blood sugar and add to diabetes drugs, so people on insulin or pills are told to monitor glucose.
Does Synaptril have enough alpha lipoic acid to change blood sugar?
The label cannot say. Blend math caps ALA at about 175 mg a capsule, under most study doses, but the real amount is hidden.
Is alpha lipoic acid proven for memory?
No. Cochrane found no qualifying dementia trials and could not recommend ALA for people with dementia (Cochrane, Alpha lipoic acid for dementia).
Should I check my blood sugar more often while taking alpha lipoic acid?
The Linus Pauling Institute advises people on insulin or oral diabetes drugs to monitor blood glucose while using ALA (Linus Pauling Institute, Lipoic Acid). Ask your clinician how often to check and what readings would be a reason to call.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Learn about our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a U.S. retail partner of Synaptril, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We make money when you buy through our order links.
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