Hi.

I guess maybe ALA is the more essential antioxidant existent for
extends life, because its particular characteristic of regenerates
others and raise them like glutathione, significant effects to have
low glucose levels and macular protection, the metal ions chelation
activity to prevent free radicals from metals like copper and iron,
boost ATP production, its own antioxidant potency and also its
natural R Isomer that is 5-10 times stronger than the racemic form
(I don't know if can achieve the same regenerating qualities with
artificial antioxidants like idebenone -or MitoQ in a near future, a
potential miracle-)

[The potency of the R enantiomer is much better than the racemate or the S
enantiomer mainly for the mitochondria, which is where ALA is most important of
course. In other areas such as red blood cells where ALA normally has no
physiological role, the S enantiomer is actually more potent.
As for idebenone, although it is more powerful than CoQ10 it plays a quite
differenet role than does ALA and I am concerned about a very few studies that
show that it may be harmful for longevity purposes. That is why I discontinued
use of idebenone some time ago. My view of idebenone is similar to that of a few
other supplements. It is highly beneficial for use as needed to alleviate
certain physiological problems, but it may not be good for long-term use to
extend ones lifespan. MitoQ looks very interesting but does not yet have
sufficient research and is not yet available. --Paul]


Alpha Lipoic Acid can interferes with Biotin when passes the 100 mg.
But I couldn't find and it's not explained if the problem comes when
these 100 mg are taken in a single dose or through the day with the
different foods. Maybe more 100 mg in a single dose, activate a
certain absorption mechanisms (like passive or active diffusion, I
don't know), that make ALA competes with biotin but when the
quantity is less that this quantity the problem doesn't occur.

A better way could be take ALA between meals, but maybe it needs to
be taken with foods in order to be efficiently absorbed (Always I
have MTC Oil to increases absorption if I don't take it with food. I
suppose just 2 grams or even less of this valuable oil can help
because ALA is fat-soluble).

In my country Biotin costs really a lot. I don't know why because
others nutrients have very reasonable prices and they're good
certified quality, so I must try to administrate the best I can to
avoid this bad nutrient interaction and not expends much money in
biotin (which is not so valuable to slows the clock compared with
ALA) and take the maximum advantage from Alpha Lipoic Acid in its
natural R-Isomer.

[If the ALA is taken in a distributed manner with meals then there may be
marginal effect on biotin absorption and availability. However, extra biotin
should be supplemented in any case since it is highly beneficial for prevention
and inhibition of insulin resistance among other benefits. Therefore, I think
you should try to get some from outside your country if it is prohibitively
expensive there. --Paul]

[The source of our Biotin can be seen by clicking on the link at either Paul's
or my regimen pages - http://morelife.org/personal/health/his-regimen.html As
for most of our supplements, it comes from Life Extension Foundation (LEF) for
the reason we have given in our Notes on each page. The powder is only 1% pure
biotin and comes in a 30 gram bottle and our daily amount is 1200 mg each,
prorated for our weights. (If pure Biotin was used only a *very* small amount
(12 mg) would be used daily, but this would be cumbersome to be used.) When I
mix up our cocktail powders for 20 days, I use 48 grams of the 1% powder. Our
dosage is also likely far higher than is necessary to overcome any lack of
absorption because of a clash with ALA. We take more because it is potentially
beneficial and non-toxic. A dosage of 2-3 mg daily would already be many times
the RDA amount and would likely make up for any poor absorption due to
supplementing ALA. **Kitty]


Thank you


PD: Could it be more 600 mg of ALA daily doesn't have sense in order
to achieve more anti-oxidant protection?

[Although more than 600 mg daily might be beneficial for certain critical
dysfunctions, it may be counterproductive for life extension purposes. So I
think any life-extensionist should probably keep his/her intake below that
dosage. --Paul]


Which is the difference between R and S isomers and D and L,
respectively? (Some people says they're the same, others not. If
you don't want to respond this last question, there is not problem.
It's not so important)

[A full answer to this question is too complicated to repeat here. The subject
of isomerization is addressed in the MoreLife Glossary -
http://morelife.org/glossary/ghi.html#isomer In the case of alpha lipoic acid
the most complete names will also refer to the optical rotation directions of
the two enantiomers and thus the two ALA forms are fully named as R(+)-alpha
lipoic acid and S(-)-alpha lipoic acid. --Paul]