ALA results w/ Glucometer... The Real Test

[BackDoc]

Akrama, I haven't really seen the AF version nor have I used it or spoken with anyone who has. I don't know for sure about the R-ALA for weight loss purposes, although I believe what Macrophage69alpha states about it's being more useful.

For the purposes of measuring ALA by way of ketosticks, my feeling is that a large dose of R-ALA is going to be required. I don't think even 700 mg per meal of R-ALA is going to even register on the ketostix...but I could easily be wrong. As for the glucometer results, I would probably say that the R enantiomer will be more effective.

You will probably physically feel the Jarrow time release racemic ALA working much more than the R...even in equivalent doses. Time will tell about the R whether it has a much better affect on fat loss than the racemate. I would think that you won't really go wrong either way with your two choices.

Me personally, I like the Jarrow brand, but probably for no other reason than most people seem to be quite pleased with the results. If the time-released effect truly does work by extending the viable period of effect in the body I would think this would be perhaps slightly more beneficial for both glucose modification and blood sugar stability. I wonder about the muscle partitioning effect of a time-release given the concern about dose necessity and total carb shuttling effect. However, my bet would be that for muscle building effects to go with an ALA that is not time-released.

Does that help?

 

[akrama]

ALA and Pregnancy...

BackDoc,

Yes ... Your answer is helpful.. However, I couldn't resist but order the r-ala from AF just to try and see. However, I do have another matter to ask your opinion..

My girlfriend and I have been taking ALA "3000mg" daily and been experiencing wonderful results. However, we have just found out some wonderful personal news. Stacey has been pregnant for 7 weeks now. She immediately quit taking all supplements including the ALA...

We are seeking some advice as far as taking ALA while pregnant. Any valuable information is truly appreciated...

Regards

 

[BackDoc]

Congratulations!!!

Yes, you are right. I would think she should not take anything unless it is recommended by her doctor.

 

[macrophage69alpha]

r-ala is 99+% pure d-thioctic

 

[akrama]

macrophage

"r-ala is 99+% pure d-thioctic"

what does d-thioctic mean????

 

[Lumberg]

He means that it is 99+% the R-enantiomer. In other words, it'd good shit.

I think the variation in quality has to do with age and storage. The r enantiomer degrades very quickly. Thus batches that are old and/or have been sotred in high heat will not be as effective.

It kind of like beer. It's really difficult to know if it is skunked until you try it.

Apparently the AF stuff is run in small batches and not kept in storage for long. macro can elaborate.

JC

 

[akrama]

I don't know.... All I know is that I have been taking r-ala from AF for a while now and been measuring my blood sugar with a glucometer and no special difference from any other mixed ALA is observed.

I have just put in an order for ala by beyond a century. This stuff I could feel when it hits plus it's inexpensive.

akrama

 

[michaelt]

ive only tried the ala by BAC and i can tell this stuff works pretty well for the money, its the only version ive ever tried, but it definatly lowers my blood sugar, makes my head feel dizzy if i dont eat anything, and gives me nice pumps in the gym.

 

[akrama]

I agree with michaelt.... This is the only ALA that really turned my ketostix into trace and showed tangible reading results on my glucometer.

I will not say anything bad about the r-ala from AF store but I will not buy it any more.... That's all I have to say about that !!!! hmmm...

Even thought the bottle looks like someone has put it together in his garage, ALA from Beyond a century ROCKS.....as far as I'm concerned.

regards

 

[BackDoc]

To be honest, I'm glad I deferred to The Machine's inclination that a good racemate is just as effective for weight loss. My conclusion is probably the same as it was some time earlier that it will take a much higher dose than previously expected to elicit a ketosis effect. However, from what I have read it appears that a lower dose of R-ALA carries with it a greater chance for glut4 modification and reduced glycation. It will be interesting to see what others think of this in future posts. Unfortunately, I don't use it in high doses because I can't handle the lethargy, but I do use it to keep me from having blood sugar highs. So my knowledge is primarily limited to the insight of others. I have also found that the R-ALA seems to allow me to sleep better at night without feeling so groggy the next morning like the racemate does.

I was under the impression early on that Jarrow's time released ALA was r-enantiomer, but I was wrong. Unfortunately the whole r-ALA thing has been blown way out of proportion in my opinion. I suspected that some others were taking precious too little for the effects to be seen, but shame on me for not speaking up. I took that safe road and didn't post my thoughts.

I guess, sadly, I will hang my head and go back to the drawing board wishing that the R-ALA had tested much better with blood sugar than it did. I'm just happy at this point that the racemic mix seems to do just as good a job. At least it will save people money.