@kenc I would also add that not just any ALA but R-ALA is best. Most ALA contains at least 50% synthetic ALA which is less bioavailable and can be money wasted. Here's some more info on the topic.

Alpha Lipoic Acid -- http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/lipoic-acid
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Dietary and supplemental lipoic acid
Consumption of lipoic acid from food has not yet been found to result in detectable increases of free lipoic acid in human plasma or cells (3, 6). In contrast, high oral doses of free lipoic acid (≥50 mg) significantly, yet transiently, increase the concentration of free lipoic acid in plasma and cells. Pharmacokinetic studies in humans have found that about 30%-40% of an oral dose of a racemic mixture of R-lipoic acid and S-lipoic acid is absorbed (6, 7). Oral lipoic acid supplements are better absorbed on an empty stomach than with food: taking lipoic acid with food (versus without food) decreased peak plasma lipoic acid concentrations by about 30% and total plasma lipoic acid concentrations by about 20% (8). A liquid formulation of R-lipoic acid was found to be better absorbed and more stable in the plasma, suggesting that it might be more efficacious than the solid form in the management of a condition like diabetic neuropathy (9, 10).

There may also be differences in bioavailability of the two isomers of lipoic acid. Following single oral doses R,S-lipoic acid (racemic mixture), peak plasma concentrations of R-lipoic acid were found to be 40%-50% higher than S-lipoic acid, suggesting a differential absorption in favor of the R-enantiomer (6, 8, 11). Yet, following oral ingestion, both enantiomers are rapidly metabolized and excreted. Plasma lipoic acid concentrations generally peak within one hour or less and decline rapidly (6, 7, 11, 12). In cells, lipoic acid is swiftly reduced to dihydrolipoic acid, and in vitro studies indicate that dihydrolipoic acid is then rapidly exported from cells (3). Moreover, a pilot study in 19 healthy adults suggested that the bioavailability of R,S-lipoic acid and R-lipoic acid may vary with age and gender (13).
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Research seeks to identify the mode of action of two age-essential micronutrients, lipoic acid (LA) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) -- https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/research/hap/aging-stress-response-and-mitochondrial-decay