Alpha Lipoic Acid

A dithiolane-ring fatty acid that functions as both a water-soluble and fat-soluble antioxidant, distinguishing it from most antioxidants which operate in only one phase. Used in functional food, dietary supplement, and cosmetic applications for broad-spectrum oxidative protection.

Pale yellow to yellow crystalline powder. Limited water solubility; soluble in food-grade ethanol and most organic solvents. Sensitive to light and heat above 60 degrees Celsius; supplied with light-protected packaging.

We supply food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade Alpha Lipoic Acid from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.

Common market grades include Standard Food Grade (98 percent assay minimum, racemic R/S mixture), Pharmaceutical Grade (99 percent assay minimum, USP and EP compliant), and R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (the natural stereoisomer, supplied as sodium salt for stability in higher-value supplement applications).

Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering assay, melting point, related-substance profile, heavy metals, and microbiology.

Alpha Lipoic Acid (also called Thioctic Acid) is a naturally-occurring dithiolane fatty acid that functions in mitochondrial energy metabolism as a cofactor for pyruvate dehydrogenase and other key enzymes. The molecule occurs naturally in trace amounts in spinach, broccoli, and organ meats, but commercial supply is by chemical synthesis.

Industrial production proceeds by multi-step synthesis from short-chain aliphatic precursors, ending with formation of the characteristic five-membered dithiolane ring. The synthetic product is a racemic mixture of R and S enantiomers in 1:1 ratio. R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (the form found in nature) is biologically more active than S-Alpha Lipoic Acid, but separating the enantiomers significantly increases cost, so the racemic mixture dominates commercial supply.

The molecule's antioxidant mechanism is distinctive: the oxidized dithiolane ring can be reduced (in vivo or chemically) to dihydrolipoic acid, which is a more potent reducing agent. The redox couple regenerates and recycles other antioxidants including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and glutathione, extending the effective antioxidant capacity of cells substantially beyond what any single antioxidant achieves alone.

Regulatory status varies by jurisdiction: approved as a dietary supplement ingredient in the United States, the European Union, and most major markets at typical doses of 200 to 600 mg per day. Approved as a pharmaceutical in Germany and several other European markets for diabetic neuropathy treatment.

Strategic position in the supplement market is among the more prominent antioxidant active ingredients, with sustained volume growth driven by metabolic-health and anti-aging product positioning.

• Dietary supplements: anti-aging, blood-sugar-management, and antioxidant capsule formulations
• Functional foods positioned for metabolic health and antioxidant labeling
• Anti-aging cosmetic serums and topical skincare formulations
• Pharmaceutical applications: diabetic-neuropathy and hepatoprotective formulations
• Sports nutrition and recovery formulations
• Clinical-nutrition and medical-food applications
• Premium pet food and pet supplement applications
• Eye-health and cognitive-support supplement formulations