Alpha Lipoic Sustain with Biotin
Jarrow Formulas
Alpha Lipoic Sustain with Biotin
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(1072 ratings)
Biotin 330 mcg
Score 60.0
Primarily an ALA supplement with a low dose of D-Biotin, not ideal for dedicated beauty goals.
Quantity: 120 Tablet(s)Servings size: 1 Tablet(s) (120 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Anti-Aging
Detoxification
Heart Health
Hair Health
Skin Health
leaderboard Score 60.0
Primarily an ALA supplement with a low dose of D-Biotin, not ideal for dedicated beauty goals.
insights Analysis
Jarrow Formulas Alpha Lipoic Sustain with Biotin provides a substantial 300 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), a powerful antioxidant, alongside a modest 330 mcg of D-Biotin. The 'Sustain' formulation implies a slow-release mechanism for the ALA. This product is clearly designed with ALA's metabolic and antioxidant benefits as its primary focus, with biotin included to complement these actions, especially for nerve health. For consumers primarily looking for high-potency biotin for hair, skin, and nails, the 330 mcg dose is considerably low compared to typical beauty supplements. The higher price per serving also reflects its emphasis on the specialized ALA delivery rather than being a cost-effective biotin source.
- Contains D-Biotin, the active and preferred form.
- Provides a substantial 300 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid, a potent antioxidant.
- Sustain release for Alpha Lipoic Acid may offer prolonged benefits.
- Very low biotin dosage (330 mcg) for primary hair, skin, and nail beauty goals.
- Higher price per serving, reflecting the ALA content rather than biotin value.
- Not a primary beauty supplement; more focused on general metabolic health.
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid can affect blood sugar levels, so individuals with diabetes or on blood sugar-lowering medications should consult a doctor.
- Biotin can interfere with certain lab tests, necessitating disclosure to healthcare providers.
$28.99($0.24 per serving)
 Daily Vita | $ 28.99 | |
 Walmart | $ 35.78 | |
 iHerb | $ 35.78 | |
 Amazon | $ 121.05 |
bolt Effectiveness for goals
Some research suggests that biotin supplementation may improve hair strength and reduce shedding, particularly in individuals with an underlying biotin deficiency. However, robust evidence for significant hair growth benefits in healthy individuals without a deficiency is limited. It primarily supports the body's natural keratin infrastructure.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is frequently taken to support hair, skin, and nail health. It is also involved in various metabolic processes, helping convert food into energy. The effectiveness for these specific uses in individuals without a deficiency is an active area of research.
Scientific evidence supports biotin's essential role as a coenzyme in various metabolic pathways and its therapeutic use in treating biotin deficiency. For claims regarding improved hair, skin, and nails in healthy individuals, the scientific literature provides mixed results, often relying on smaller studies or anecdotal evidence rather than large-scale, controlled trials.
Several clinical studies have indicated that biotin supplementation can improve nail thickness and reduce splitting in individuals experiencing brittle nail syndrome. This benefit is thought to stem from biotin's role in the production of keratin, a primary component of nails. Results typically require consistent use over several months.
Biotin is an essential nutrient, and severe deficiency can manifest as hair loss, skin rashes, and neurological symptoms. Supplementation is most clearly effective in alleviating these symptoms when an actual deficiency is present. For individuals with adequate biotin levels, the benefits of additional supplementation are less consistently established by research.
schedule Dosage, timing & forms
While there is no official Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for biotin due to its rarity of deficiency, an Adequate Intake (AI) of 30 micrograms (mcg) per day is established for adults. However, many supplements contain significantly higher doses, often ranging from 1,000 mcg to 10,000 mcg, particularly for those looking to support hair, skin, and nail health. Always consult product labels and a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning excess amounts are generally excreted by the body. While widely considered safe even at doses much higher than the AI (e.g., 5,000-10,000 mcg), extremely high doses have been shown to interfere with certain laboratory tests, particularly those for thyroid function and cardiac biomarkers, potentially leading to inaccurate results. It is advisable to inform your healthcare provider about any biotin supplementation, especially before lab tests.
The time required to observe noticeable results from biotin supplementation can vary significantly among individuals. For improvements in hair, skin, or nails, consistent daily use over several weeks to a few months is commonly suggested before any changes may become apparent. Individual factors like metabolism and initial biotin status can influence the timeline.
Biotin supplements can generally be taken at any time of day, with or without food, as preferred. Some individuals choose to take it in the morning with breakfast to help establish a consistent routine. Consistency in daily intake is often considered more important than the specific time of day for efficacy.
Biotin supplements are available in a wide range of strengths, often much higher than the established Adequate Intake. Common supplement strengths include 1,000 mcg (1 mg), 5,000 mcg (5 mg), and 10,000 mcg (10 mg). Some products may offer even higher dosages depending on their intended use.
health_and_safety Safety & interactions
Yes, high doses of biotin supplements can significantly interfere with certain laboratory tests, especially those using biotin-streptavidin technology. This interference can lead to falsely high or low results for hormones, cardiac markers, and other analytes. It is crucial to inform your doctor about biotin use before any lab work to avoid misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment.
Biotin is generally well-tolerated, and side effects are rare when taken at recommended doses. Some individuals might experience mild digestive upset, nausea, or skin rashes, though these are uncommon. Due to its water-soluble nature, excess biotin is typically excreted from the body.
Biotin can potentially interact with certain medications, such as some anti-seizure drugs, which may lower biotin levels in the body. Conversely, high biotin intake might affect the metabolism of other drugs. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining biotin with any prescription medications.
While biotin is water-soluble and excess is typically excreted, very high doses can lead to potential issues like interference with lab tests. There is no established upper tolerable intake level due to low toxicity, but exceeding recommended daily amounts without medical supervision is not advised. Always discuss appropriate dosage with a healthcare provider.
Biotin is an essential nutrient during pregnancy, and adequate intake is important for fetal development. However, supplementing with high doses beyond what is found in a standard prenatal vitamin should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Current research suggests it is likely safe at recommended daily allowances for breastfeeding mothers.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
Biotin | 330 mcg |
Alpha Lipoic Acid | 300 mg |
Categories
Biotin 40.0
Despite containing D-Biotin, its very low dosage makes it a poor choice for a primary biotin supplement targeting beauty goals. It's more accurately categorized as an ALA supplement with minimal biotin, placing it low within the 'Biotin' collection for comparative analysis.
Goals
Skin Health 50.0
ALA's antioxidant properties may offer some general skin protection, but the biotin dose is minimal for direct skin health improvements. Consumers looking for significant skin benefits would likely find more targeted supplements with higher biotin or collagen content more effective.
Nail Health 48.0
While any biotin is better than none, 330 mcg is a very low dose for promoting substantial improvements in brittle or weak nails. Most studies and consumer reports indicating positive effects on nails use significantly higher biotin dosages.
Hair Health 45.0
The 330 mcg biotin dose is too low to significantly impact hair growth or strength for most individuals seeking noticeable improvements, especially when compared to the 5000-10000 mcg doses common in beauty supplements. The ALA's direct benefit for hair is not well-established for this goal.
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