α-Lipoic Acid Induced Elevated S-adenosylhomocysteine and Depleted S-adenosylmethionine

It's pretty significant actually. It shows that α-lipoic acid has some bad effects that need to be investigated further. It caused a lowering of the body's ability to donate methyl groups by reducing S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and increasing S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). Taking SAMe would mitigate some of this effect, and restore the body's methylation ability. It also lowers serum cystine levels. This happens by causing cystine being put into the path of methionine metabolism. This will cause your liver to not be able to bind to as many damaging substances. Supplementing with N-acetylcystine should help mitigate this effect.

Now here is the kicker, they used RACEMIC lipoic acid. They did NOT use R-α-lipoic acid. So this means that they found that high doses of racemic α-lipoic acid can be damaging to the body's natural methylation system and peripheral antioxidant support system.

Summary:

If you are using racemic ALA, then you may be causing damage to your body. If you use racemic ALA, I would suggest supplementing SAMe and N-acetylcystine to protect from the damage. Ir you can do what I do and only use the dextrorotory isomer of ALA. I use Na-R-ALA.