Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment. 

Both alpha lipoic acid and vitamin C are powerhouses on their own since both have potent antioxidant properties that can benefit human health in many ways. There has been a growing interest in alpha lipoic acid and vitamin C to understand their potential in the treatment and prevention of many diseases over the past few years. 

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common health benefits of alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin C that have been supported by scientific studies so far. But before we get into the properties and uses of alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin C, it’s important to learn the basics of these two ingredients a little bit more. So, let’s get started.  

Table of contents 

What is alpha-lipoic acid?  

What is vitamin C?  

The benefits of alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin C 

How to use alpha lipoic acid and vitamin C supplements

Precautions and side effects  

Final words 

What is alpha-lipoic acid? 

Alpha-lipoic acid is a unique type of antioxidant that is naturally produced in the body. Unlike other antioxidants that work either in water or fatty tissues, alpha-lipoic acid works well in both. It is used in every cell of the body to produce energy by breaking down carbohydrates. 

As a potent antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid also helps in removing waste products or free radicals from the body. Free radicals are unpaired oxygen-containing molecules that cause harmful chain chemical reactions in the body and damage cells, tissues, and even organs, making it difficult for the body to properly function. 

Alpha-lipoic acid is also found in various foods. Good sources may include potatoes, beets, carrots, broccoli, spinach, and red meat among others. It is also available in various forms of dietary supplements with better concentration and bioavailability.  

What is vitamin C? 

Vitamin C, otherwise called ascorbic acid, is considered one of the most effective and safest nutrients in the world. This vitamin is water-soluble in nature, meaning it dissolves in water. It plays important roles in many bodily functions ranging from absorption of iron to controlling infections to maintenance of teeth, bones, and cartilages. 

The human body neither can produce vitamin C on its own nor can store it efficiently, which is why people must take vitamin C through dietary or supplementary means. Food sources of vitamin C include fruits particularly citrus fruits and vegetables including broccoli, red cabbage, orange, cantaloupe, red pepper, kiwi, green pepper, tomato, as well as others. 

The benefits of alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin C 

Since alpha-lipoic acid appears to act as a potent antioxidant, it can hugely help protect the human body from various inflammatory conditions including the brain, liver, as well as others. 

Alpha-lipoic acid may help in: 

Nerve pain - nerve pain is common in people with diabetes, which is called diabetic neuropathy. Consumption of alpha-lipoic acid may improve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy such as numbness, pain, and burning sensations in the arms and legs. 

Obesity - studies suggest alpha-lipoic acid intake can improve body composition and reduce body weight in people with overweight. 

Cholesterol - hyperlipidemia or high levels of fats in the blood especially cholesterol have been linked to an increased risk of various cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack. Supplementing alpha lipoic acid seems to have beneficial effects on lowering bad cholesterol or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol in individuals with or without hyperlipidemia. 

  

Skin health - alpha-lipoic acid can help prevent and reduce the effects of free radical damage to the skin that leaves the skin looking lifeless and dull. 

On the other hand, vitamin C is considered one of the most studied nutrients. It offers a wide range of health benefits including skin health, eye health, prenatal health, and cardiovascular health. 

Vitamin C may help in: 

Skin aging - vitamin C can nourish the skin from the inside out and significantly lower the appearance of aging including dryness, and wrinkles, as well as others. 

Stress - low levels of vitamin C have been linked to various stress-related conditions. Taking vitamin C may help reduce mental and physical stress and improve overall health. 

Common cold - vitamin C has the ability to reduce common colds and flues and lower the risk of developing more severe complications like lung infections and pneumonia. 

How to use alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin C supplements

Common doses of alpha-lipoic acid may range from 300 mg to 1500 mg per day while common doses of vitamin C may range from 500 mg to 2000 mg per day. But the actual doses are individual and vary from person to person depending on the specific health conditions and aim of taking. 

Precautions and side effects 

Alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin C are likely safe and well-tolerable in most people. However, some people may experience side effects after taking too much of these nutrients. Common side effects of alpha-lipoic acid include nausea, vomiting, headache, and heartburn. 

And common side effects of vitamin C may include skin flushing, headache, stomach cramps, and fatigue. But these are not common for all. 

Like with all herbs and supplements, it’s always the best idea to consult with a licensed naturopathic medicine practitioner before starting alpha-lipoic acid or vitamin C for any health condition. 

Final words 

Alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin C both act as powerful antioxidants and work well synergistically in the body. They play important roles in many vital bodily functions ranging from strengthening the immune system to protecting the brain and nervous system to maintaining the appearance of skin. 

Though both are possibly safe and well-tolerated in most people, taking too much of these nutrients may cause some side effects in some people. Therefore, it’s best to consult with certified natural medicine professionals prior to starting alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin C for any specific health condition.

Here you can see Vorst’s natural and pure Alpha Lipoic Acid 600 mg Capsules 

Here you can see Vorst’s natural and pure Vitamin C 500 mg Tablets 

Important resources: 

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22702517/#:~:text=Background%3A%20Alpha%20lipoic%20acid%20(ALA,bone%20resorption%20in%20periodontal%20diseases.
2. https://www.revivalabs.com/what-makes-the-combination-of-alpha-lipoic-acid-vitamin-c-ester-and-dmae-so-special/
3. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-767/alpha-lipoic-acid
4. https://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/96legacy/releases.96/14316.html
5. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/alpha-lipoic-acid
6. https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-benefits-of-vitamin-c
7. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-c/