R-PLUS
R-PLUS softgels are a blend of 75 mg R-Lipoic Acid and 75 mg of R-DihydroLipoic Acid in Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT)
The R-Lipoic Acid/R-dihydroLipoic Acid combination in R-PLUS has improved stability, slower, sustained absorption and higher bioavailability.
R-PLUS is absorbed more slowly and efficiently than the usual commercial forms of R-Lipoic Acid or racemic alpha Lipoic Acid.
The sustained activity at physiological concentrations may help prevent or delay changes in the vascular endothelium, reduce inflammation and modulate glucose and fat metabolism. It has been claimed that modulating the plasma redox state may be the most effective means of controlling age related increases in oxidative stress.
R-PLUS mimics mother nature, and differentially balances the oxidation and reduction state of plasma thiols (cysteine, glutathione), proteins and intracellular organelles, such as the mitochondria, peroxisomes, lysozomes, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus. The loss of plasma and intracellular redox regulation, and accumulation of oxidized proteins are suspected to be more damaging than increased concentrations (which change little) of free radicals as a function of age.
R-Lipoic Acid/R-dihydroLipoic Acid occur in food, and all living cells, together as part of a "redox-couple", constantly cycling back and forth. The relative amounts of either R-Lipoic Acid or R-dihydroLipoic Acid in a given form, depend on the concentrations of each and the level of oxidation or reduction within the cell (i.e. the status of the local redox environment).
GeroNova chemists discovered R-dihydroLipoic Acid is significantly more stable in plasma than previously reported. The researchers then combined R-Lipoic Acid/R-dihydroLipoic Acid in order to study the differences in the plasma profiles between this experimental dosage and solid dosages of racemic alpha Lipoic Acid, racemic dihydroLipoic Acid, R-Lipoic Acid and R-DihydroLipoic Acid.
The 50% R-Lipoic Acid component found in racemic alpha-Lipoic Acid reaches plasma concentrations 6.9 times higher than pure R-Lipoic Acid when adjusted for weight. Despite the differences in absorption between alpha-Lipoic Acid and R-Lipoic Acid, both can reach plasma concentrations many times higher than physiological levels. R-Lipoic Acid or R-dihydroLipoic Acid, administered individually, may promote redox imbalances in plasma and within the cell due to the cells' ability to concentrate R-Lipoic Acid and R-dihydroLipoic Acid at 3-5 times the concentration in the plasma.
Supplemental alpha-Lipoic Acid and R-Lipoic Acid, usually categorized as "antioxidants", may become pro-oxidants if high concentrations are reached or transition metals are present. In vitro, the addition of alpha-Lipoic Acid prevented a pro-oxidant effect of dihydroLipoic Acid.
GeroNova's on-going plasma studies have shown that the combination of R-Lipoic Acid/R-dihydroLipoic Acid found in R-PLUS stabilizes the redox state of the other, and sustains their levels in the plasma.