ALA: Anabolic Fat Loss?
by David Barr
04/05/06

just EXCELLENT David.

You're (not "your" LOL) providing exactly the kind of critical thinking combined with background that is of immense help to us.

Did I mention OUTSTANDING?

Richard

At what dosages are these positive attributes of decreasing bodyfat, increasing muscle mass, etc. alleged to be achieved? The only reason I have been using it is because of the contention that it helps with the activation and circulation of other anti-oxidants.

Nick

Another 'four star' Barrticle from Dave "Dogma Destroyer" Barr. LOL

Have they tested ALA with Pop-Tarts? That is where the magic lies my friend.

Oh, I almost forgot, congratulations Canada on your National Igloo and adopting the 24hour clock. LMAO

Thanks Dave, this article was exactly what I have been waiting for.

I was wondering when you'd get another article on the Nation, Dave. I always enjoy them.

As soon as I have some time I'll read it, but I'm sure it will be exactly what I was waiting for :-)

PS: What's that about the igloos??

David...is there a diference between ALA and it R-ALA?

I found no mention or differentiation between them in the studies.

Thanks

Question: I'm currently taking 400mg of R-isomer ALA every day because I thought the supplement would help in the long-term protection of insulin sensitivity on a high-calorie diet and that it would lessen the insulin spikes that I would get from higher-carb meals.

Am I wasting my money?

Do Orotic acid next.

Dave, I don't have time to read the whole article, so I was just wondering if you could tell me how big I can get on ALA?

Is it just me? These supplment articles are boring has hell. Of course, anyone can see the advantages/convenience of protein powders, creatine, fish oil etc but these for lack of a better work exotic supplments, who cares!!

Training and good eating habits! That's what i want to read.

That and TC's articles which are pretty damn cool.

Another article where Dave's raised the barr. (yuk yuk). Do you know if there's similar evidence questioning the efficacy of carnitine (ALCAR)? The combination of ALA and ALCAR was once highly touted and maybe is in some circles.

Thank you for posting this... I think my step mom who has MS takes it, I'll talk to her about taking it and how it is undetermined to cause an effect at this point.

As I understand it, ALA is a symmetric molecule and can exist with either a right-hand "twist" or a left-handed one and still be called ALA, hence there are two "isomers" r- and s- ALA.

Supposedly, a standard bottle of ALA contains both s-ALA and r-ALA in roughly equal amounts, since laboratory processes create an equal amount of both isomers. Cellular processes of creating ALA only create r-ALA. Again, "supposedly". The theory being that only r-ALA is effective in the body.

I've seen references to studies that supposedly demonstrated a significant difference between s-ALA and r-ALA, and attributed the "bad" effects to s-ALA. In fact, the claim is that s-ALA will actually cancel out the r-. I'll see if I can find the references again.

Since I got a lot of this info from a site that sells r-ALA, I'd like to see some independent verification. r-ALA costs a lot more than plain ALA. Is any of it worth it?

so is there any point in time you could potentially use R-ALA in an effective manner for whatever reason?

examples: during a protein carb after fasting state meal like breakfast? When eating cheat meals with high amounts of insulin prodrucing food combinations?

also can we address other similar compounds like 4-hydroxyisoleucine, cinnulin, or banaba extract?

laters pk