What is "lipoic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) The carboxylic acid ''5-[(3R)-dithiolan-3-yl]pentanoic acid'', one enantiomer of which is an essential cofactor for many enzyme complexes.

Lipoic acid (LA), also known as α-lipoic acid and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and thioctic acid is an organosulfur compound derived from octanoic acid. ALA is made in animals normally, and is essential for aerobic metabolism. It is also manufactured and is available as a dietary supplement in some countries where it is marketed as an antioxidant, and is available as a pharmaceutical drug in other countries.