ALA recycles other antioxidants and protects the nervous system. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect red blood cells from oxidative damage, which is the type of damage done by intense training.

(A Cosstantinescu, et al. "Alpha Lipoic Acid Protects Against Hemolysis of Human Erythocytes Induced by Peroxyl Radicals", Biochem Mol Biol Int 33.4 (1994): 669-679)

Whether you are carb-up or low-carb, you could take 50 - 120 mg of ALA per day as a protective effect, but some people go as high as 400 - 600 mg with no problems. Work it up slowly, as it is powerful.

ALA also helps the body with the uptake of glucose into muscle cells, and may actually help DECREASE the amount of glucose taken in by fat cells, so it is a supplement you may wish to consider using during a CKD.

(H. Trichtschler from Munich Germany: Diabetic Neuropathy Conference, 1995.)

It tends to be expensive, so that's up to you.