I know that scientifically, they are claiming na-rala is 20-30 times more effective at something......
For someone who has taken both, how would you explain how each makes you feel. I get a nice pump/fullness in my muscles even at rest shortly after taking my r-ala.
I read that the na-rala is processed in 20 min!!! Does that go the same for the regular r-ala. I take the cheap Higher Power brand, and have liked them just fine.
Thanks.
Na-rala was actually said to reach plasma levels 40x higher than "unstabalized" r-ala. This is a claim made by GeroNova. Bioavailability should be about 21x max (AUC 3.3x). However, they sell both of these forms and still promote r-ala as well. Na-rala can just be thought of as a more stable (in terms of shelf life, polymerization, etc.) and more bio-available (better absorbed, highly soluble) form of ala than r-ala is. In terms of plasma half life, it shouldn't matter much. Either form is very quick at 22-25min. The point is Na-rala is more stable and you should technically make use of more of it.
Na-RLA (USP assay for ALA=74% RLA initial) was heated to 100 deg C for 6 hours. The polymer content had increased by 6% using the same assay and standard; final assay =68%.
For comparison, 10g RLA was heated for 10 minutes at 100 deg C and was completely insoluble and polymerized.
- 1000mg (1gram) RLA reaches a maximum concentration (Cmax) of 1.1ug/ml in human plasma
- 100mg (0.1gram) Bio-Enhanced™ Na-RALA reaches a Cmax of 2.3ug/ml
I would just like to see a sustained release formulation.
As for "how it feels" I hate making comparisons based on subjective observations. We see all kinds of bs claims regarding supps all over this board. You just end up making yourself sound like an ass clown. I doubt I (or most) could "feel" the difference between 200mg of r-ala or 200mg of na-rala. However, there is hard science backing up the fact that Na-rala is a superior, more bio-available form. We know it should thus "work better." As for your "pump/fullness" comment, I have noticed that particularly when i took the na-rala prior to some carbs and then worked out. That said, if i take it on an empty stomach in the AM or something it doesn't magically make me more pumped. And I'm still not convinced ALA is so good at shuttling that it helps with weight control and carb utilization either (as some sellers have claimed). I like it for its other properties for sure though. It is a proven health/anti-aging supplement especially when combined with ALCAR.
