R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA), ranked by real cost

R-alpha lipoic acid (R-ALA) is the naturally occurring form of alpha-lipoic acid, a compound your body produces in small amounts that acts as an antioxidant in both water and fat. It's commonly taken for blood sugar management, nerve health, and general antioxidant support — the same uses as standard ALA. Standard ALA supplements contain a 50/50 blend of the natural R-form and a synthetic S-form. R-ALA supplements isolate only the natural form, which your body absorbs better — roughly 40% higher blood levels at the same dose. That means you can take less (100–300mg per day vs 300–600mg for standard ALA) and get similar results. The tradeoff is price — R-ALA products typically cost 2–3 times more. Many use a stabilized form called Na-R-ALA to keep the ingredient from breaking down. For the more affordable standard form, see our Alpha-Lipoic Acid comparison. Products below are ranked by cost at your chosen daily dose.