Alpha-lipoic acid is a sulfur-containing fatty acid that performs vitamin-like roles in the body but since the body produces lipoic-acid on its own, it is not classified as a true vitamin. It functions as a co-enzyme in the metabolism of carbohydrates and is required for synthesis of acetyl CoA, a key metabolite in the cellular process that turns glucose (blood sugar) into energy.* Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid contains BioEnhanced? Na-RLA, the sodium salt of R-Lipoic acid. Pure R-Lipoic acid is a very unstable molecule that has a tendency to polymerize with exposure to heat, light, and moisture. BioEnhanced Na-RLA is a stabilized form of R-Lipoic acid that won?t degrade at high temperatures.