Evidence supporting the use of: Lipoic Acid
For the health condition: Depression

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lipoic acid, also known as alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), is a naturally occurring antioxidant that has been investigated for its potential in treating various neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression. The scientific rationale comes from its role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Several preclinical studies have shown that lipoic acid can exert neuroprotective effects and may modulate neurotransmitter systems involved in mood regulation.

Regarding human evidence, the data remain limited. A handful of small-scale clinical trials and pilot studies have explored the effects of lipoic acid as an adjunctive therapy for depression, often in populations with comorbid conditions such as diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Some of these studies have reported modest improvements in depressive symptoms, attributed to reduced oxidative stress and improved mitochondrial function. However, these findings are preliminary, with methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, short durations, and lack of replication.

To date, there is not enough high-quality, large-scale clinical evidence to firmly support the use of lipoic acid as a primary or adjunctive treatment for depression. Most guidelines do not include it as a recommended therapy. In summary, while there is some scientific interest and preliminary evidence suggesting potential benefits, the overall level of support remains weak and more robust research is needed.

More about Lipoic Acid
More about Depression

Other ingredients used for Depression

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
Acetyl L-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacterium longum
black tea
Indian frankincense
bасора
caffeine
Cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
choline
citicoline
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-carnosine
L-glycine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-theanine
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l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
moringa
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Products containing Lipoic Acid

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.