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Reference.org
Lipoic acid
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<p>Lipoic acid (LA), also known as α-lipoic acid, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and thioctic acid, is an <a href="/facts/Organosulfur_compound/sUxSSXwD">organosulfur compound</a> derived from <a href="/facts/Caprylic_acid/b2VuaggT">caprylic acid</a> (octanoic acid). ALA, which is made in animals normally, is essential for <a href="/facts/Aerobic_metabolism/kb6gpsvL">aerobic metabolism</a>. It is also available as a <a href="/facts/Dietary_supplement/SHXNNxaS">dietary supplement</a> or <a href="/facts/Pharmaceutical_drug/h9mhwWP2">pharmaceutical drug</a> in some countries. Lipoate is the <a href="/facts/Conjugate_base/hohgQ07M">conjugate base</a> of lipoic acid, and the most prevalent form of LA under physiological conditions. Only the (<i>R</i>)-(+)-<a href="/facts/Enantiomer/wjPv5J3y">enantiomer</a> (RLA) exists in nature. RLA is an essential <a href="/facts/Cofactor_(biochemistry)/AGo0PCUU">cofactor</a> of many processes. </p>