Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid
California Gold Nutrition
Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(5429 ratings)
Biotin 150 mcg
Score 50.0
R-Lipoic Acid product with negligible biotin; overpriced and ineffective for direct hair, skin, or nail goals.
Quantity: 30 Capsule(s)Servings size: 1 Capsule(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Anti-Aging
Detoxification
Heart Health
Hair Health
Skin Health
leaderboard Score 50.0
R-Lipoic Acid product with negligible biotin; overpriced and ineffective for direct hair, skin, or nail goals.
insights Analysis
California Gold Nutrition provides Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid at 100 mg with a nominal 150 mcg of D-Biotin. This product is clearly optimized for R-Lipoic Acid's antioxidant benefits. While California Gold Nutrition is a popular brand, particularly online, the biotin dose is too low to independently support significant improvements in hair, skin, and nail health, as commonly expected from a biotin product. The price per serving is relatively high, especially given the low biotin content.
- Contains stabilized R-Lipoic Acid, a potent antioxidant
- From California Gold Nutrition, a popular brand for quality ingredients
- Very low biotin dosage (150 mcg) making it ineffective for targeted hair, skin, and nail benefits
- High price per serving, especially considering its minimal biotin contribution
- Primarily an R-Lipoic Acid supplement, not a dedicated biotin product
- Consumers should be aware that Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) can potentially interfere with biotin absorption if biotin intake is already marginal, though the low dose here lessens this specific concern for general users.
$8.34($0.27 per serving)
 iHerb | $ 8.34 |
bolt Effectiveness for goals
Some research suggests that biotin supplementation may improve hair strength and reduce shedding, particularly in individuals with an underlying biotin deficiency. However, robust evidence for significant hair growth benefits in healthy individuals without a deficiency is limited. It primarily supports the body's natural keratin infrastructure.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is frequently taken to support hair, skin, and nail health. It is also involved in various metabolic processes, helping convert food into energy. The effectiveness for these specific uses in individuals without a deficiency is an active area of research.
Scientific evidence supports biotin's essential role as a coenzyme in various metabolic pathways and its therapeutic use in treating biotin deficiency. For claims regarding improved hair, skin, and nails in healthy individuals, the scientific literature provides mixed results, often relying on smaller studies or anecdotal evidence rather than large-scale, controlled trials.
Several clinical studies have indicated that biotin supplementation can improve nail thickness and reduce splitting in individuals experiencing brittle nail syndrome. This benefit is thought to stem from biotin's role in the production of keratin, a primary component of nails. Results typically require consistent use over several months.
Biotin is an essential nutrient, and severe deficiency can manifest as hair loss, skin rashes, and neurological symptoms. Supplementation is most clearly effective in alleviating these symptoms when an actual deficiency is present. For individuals with adequate biotin levels, the benefits of additional supplementation are less consistently established by research.
schedule Dosage, timing & forms
While there is no official Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for biotin due to its rarity of deficiency, an Adequate Intake (AI) of 30 micrograms (mcg) per day is established for adults. However, many supplements contain significantly higher doses, often ranging from 1,000 mcg to 10,000 mcg, particularly for those looking to support hair, skin, and nail health. Always consult product labels and a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning excess amounts are generally excreted by the body. While widely considered safe even at doses much higher than the AI (e.g., 5,000-10,000 mcg), extremely high doses have been shown to interfere with certain laboratory tests, particularly those for thyroid function and cardiac biomarkers, potentially leading to inaccurate results. It is advisable to inform your healthcare provider about any biotin supplementation, especially before lab tests.
The time required to observe noticeable results from biotin supplementation can vary significantly among individuals. For improvements in hair, skin, or nails, consistent daily use over several weeks to a few months is commonly suggested before any changes may become apparent. Individual factors like metabolism and initial biotin status can influence the timeline.
Biotin supplements can generally be taken at any time of day, with or without food, as preferred. Some individuals choose to take it in the morning with breakfast to help establish a consistent routine. Consistency in daily intake is often considered more important than the specific time of day for efficacy.
Biotin supplements are available in a wide range of strengths, often much higher than the established Adequate Intake. Common supplement strengths include 1,000 mcg (1 mg), 5,000 mcg (5 mg), and 10,000 mcg (10 mg). Some products may offer even higher dosages depending on their intended use.
health_and_safety Safety & interactions
Yes, high doses of biotin supplements can significantly interfere with certain laboratory tests, especially those using biotin-streptavidin technology. This interference can lead to falsely high or low results for hormones, cardiac markers, and other analytes. It is crucial to inform your doctor about biotin use before any lab work to avoid misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment.
Biotin is generally well-tolerated, and side effects are rare when taken at recommended doses. Some individuals might experience mild digestive upset, nausea, or skin rashes, though these are uncommon. Due to its water-soluble nature, excess biotin is typically excreted from the body.
Biotin can potentially interact with certain medications, such as some anti-seizure drugs, which may lower biotin levels in the body. Conversely, high biotin intake might affect the metabolism of other drugs. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining biotin with any prescription medications.
While biotin is water-soluble and excess is typically excreted, very high doses can lead to potential issues like interference with lab tests. There is no established upper tolerable intake level due to low toxicity, but exceeding recommended daily amounts without medical supervision is not advised. Always discuss appropriate dosage with a healthcare provider.
Biotin is an essential nutrient during pregnancy, and adequate intake is important for fetal development. However, supplementing with high doses beyond what is found in a standard prenatal vitamin should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Current research suggests it is likely safe at recommended daily allowances for breastfeeding mothers.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Biotin (D-Biotin) | 150 mcg |
| R-Lipoic Acid (Sodium R-alpha Lipoate) | 100 mg |
Categories
Biotin 40.0
With an extremely low biotin content relative to its primary ingredient and cost, this product barely qualifies as a biotin supplement within its collection for those seeking effective doses. It misrepresents its core offering within this category.
Goals
Skin Health 45.0
While R-Lipoic Acid has antioxidant properties that can broadly support skin health, the biotin component in this product is insufficient to deliver the specific, direct skin improvements often attributed to higher doses of biotin, such as enhanced elasticity or complexion.
Hair Health 35.0
The 150 mcg biotin dose is too low to provide any meaningful benefits for hair growth or strength. It does not meet the expectations for a product marketed for 'Hair Health' in terms of biotin efficacy.
Nail Health 35.0
The minimal 150 mcg biotin dosage makes this product ineffective for achieving any noticeable improvements in nail strength or reducing brittleness. It is not suitable for individuals seeking direct nail enhancement through biotin.
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