I got this from where I get my ala..Dunno if this will help you are not..I couldnt find any more literature on it..
Alpha-lipoic acid (also called lipoic acid or thioctic acid) is a sulfur-containing substance that is readily converted to and from its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid. It acts as a coenzyme in reactions that occur in the Krebs cycle; specifically it is involved in the decarboxylation of pyruvate and some other alpha-keto acids. It may well be the perfect antioxidant. It has also shown great promise in the treatment of HIV and in diabetes.
Why Should I Supplement with Alpha-Lipoic Acid?
Your body does in fact manufacture Alpha-Lipoic Acid, but supplementing it provides benefits beyond its involvement in carbohydrate metabolism. For starters, Alpha-Lipoic Acid is able to deactivate both fat and water soluble free radicals and thereby protect both lipoproteins and membranes; no other anti-oxidant can do this. Take a look at this list of reactive oxygen species (ROS) ("ROS" is an umbrella term that includes both radicals and other chemicals that, while not technically radicals, are damaging to the body):
Hydrogen atom