Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) vs SS-31 (Elamipretide)
A side-by-side research comparison of Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) and SS-31 (Elamipretide) across mechanism, dosing, half-life, benefits, side effects and research status.
Comparison table
| Attribute | Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) | SS-31 (Elamipretide) |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | R-Alpha-Lipoic Acid Injectable | SS-31 / Elamipretide (Bendavia) |
| Category | Anti-Aging | Anti-Aging |
| Status | Supplement / Compounded injectable | Investigational |
| Mechanism | Regenerates glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Chelates heavy metals. Acts as cofactor for mitochondrial enzyme complexes. Activates Nrf2 pathway for endogenous antioxidant production. | Targets cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membrane, stabilizes cytochrome c binding, optimizes electron transfer efficiency, and reduces mitochondrial ROS by 50%. |
| Molecular weight | 206.33 Da | 640.8 Da |
| Half-life | ~30 minutes (oral); longer IM | 4-6 hours |
| Bioavailability | ~30% oral; ~100% injectable | High (SubQ) |
| Typical dose | 200-600 mg | 5-40 mg |
| Frequency | 1-3x per week (injectable) | Daily |
| Route | IV/IM injection or oral capsule | Subcutaneous or IV |
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) reported benefits
- Universal antioxidant
- Neuropathy relief
- Heavy metal chelation
- Blood sugar regulation
- Glutathione recycling
- Liver protection
SS-31 (Elamipretide) reported benefits
- Mitochondrial function optimization
- Reduced oxidative stress
- Cardioprotection
- Improved exercise capacity
- Renal protection
- Cellular energy
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Research and educational reference only. Not medical advice.