INSTABILITY
R-Lipoic Acid (RLA) is a highly unstable compound
that easily polymerizes into a sticky rubber or glue-like substance if it
is not prepared, stored and processed correctly. Even under the best conditions,
RLA is extremely unstable. Exposure to air, light, moisture and temperatures
slightly above ambient drastically reduces shelf life and increases the formation
of this unwanted degradation product that may adversely affect bioavailability.
THE SOLUTION
K-RALA™ (Potassium-R-Lipoate) is a stable, non-hygroscopic,
non-polymeric potassium salt form of R-Lipoic Acid. The material does not
require any special handling or refrigeration. K-RALA™ is heat stable, characterized
by high solubility and absorption. K-RALA™ is free of
residual solvents and moisture. The shelf life is at least 3 years.
COMPARE
There are wide variations in the R/S ratios and total
polymer contents of raw material and finished products now on the market.
Few supplement companies and have experience with RLA and are unaware of
the myriad problems associated with its encapsulation and stability.
Information concerning RLA instability has not been passed on to their customers because their products have not been analyzed with state-of-the-art enantioselective HPLC. Frequently, supplement companies are relying solely on the manufacturer's C of As or are sending samples to analytical labs whose analysts have limited experience with enantioselective HPLC, which reveals the R/S ratios and total polymer content.
After processing RLA into K-RALA™, GeroNova’s material is re-assayed independently for the RLA content of the individual batch. When the product is processed further into capsules, it is assayed again to insure low polymer content and that we have met our targeted label claim.