Alpha-lipoic acid is a vitamin-like chemical, known as an antioxidant. It has many healing qualities and can be beneficial for the nervous system, thyroid, heart and balancing blood sugar levels to reduce body weight. It’s good for autism, diabetes, cancer, skin aging and many other ailments, as well as make you look good!
It is a naturally occurring nutrient that counteracts the natural deterioration of cells. It breaks down carbohydrates and can aid recovery from surgery and can also help with cancer by balancing blood sugar levels.
Alpha lipoic acid is also called thioctic acid, or just lipoic acid and abbreviated ALA (but don’t confuse it with the other ALA, alpha linoleic acid, which is an omega fatty acid).
Yeast, liver, kidney, spinach, broccoli and potatoes are good sources of alpha-lipoic acid. It is also made in the laboratory for use as medicine.
Alpha-lipoic acid is most commonly taken by mouth for diabetes and nerve-related symptoms of diabetes including burning, pain, and numbness in the legs and arms. It is also given as an injection into the vein (by IV) for these same uses. High doses of alpha-lipoic acid are approved in Germany for the treatment of these nerve-related symptoms.
It promotes healthy aging, organ function, cardiovascular health, brain and nervous system health. ALA also makes your body’s network of antioxidants stronger, by boosting cellular production of other antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes.
By the nature of the biochemical action, ALA is similar to the B vitamins. It has a hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic effect.
It helps reduce blood glucose and increase glycogen content in the liver, as well as reduce insulin resistance. It participates in the regulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, stimulates the exchange of cholesterol and improves liver function. ItImproves trophism of neurons. The use of the megoulamine salt of thioctic acid (which has a neutral reaction) makes it possible to reduce the severity of side reactions.
Top 10 Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid
- Encourages normal thyroid hormone levels
- Supports healthy nerves
- Promotes normal heart health
- Protects muscles from exercise-related stress
- Supports the liver
- Promotes a strong brain and sharp memory
- Encourages healthy skin
- Promotes graceful aging
- Maintains healthy blood glucose levels
- Supports a healthy body weight
How does it work?
Alpha-lipoic acid helps prevent certain kinds of cell damage in the body, and also restores vitamin levels such as vitamin E and Vitamin C. There is also evidence that alpha-lipoic acid can improve the function and conduction of neurons in diabetes.
Alpha-lipoic acid is used in the body to break down carbohydrates and to make energy for the other organs in the body.
Alpha-lipoic acid seems to work as an antioxidant, which means that it might provide protection to the brain under conditions of damage, or injury and so help with neurological disorders like Autism and dementia
The antioxidant effects might also be helpful in certain liver diseases.
Alpha lipoic acid is produced in small amounts in the mitochondria, the “powerhouse” of all cells. It is a coenzyme necessary for the Krebs cycle, which is the sequence of chemical reactions by which every living cell produces energy.
Thioctic /alpha-lipoic acid) – an endogenous antioxidant (binds free radicals), is formed in the body during the oxidative decarboxylation of alpha keto acids. As a coenzyme, mitochondrial multienzyme complexes are involved in the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvic acid and alpha-keto acids.
ALA also makes your body’s network of antioxidants stronger, by boosting cellular production of other antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes.
Where Do You Get Alpha Lipoic Acid?
There are several ways you can obtain alpha lipoic acid. First and foremost, the cells in your body naturally produce it. Many foods contain alpha lipoic acid, and it’s also available as a nutritional supplement. Additionally, alpha lipoic acid is an ingredient in anti-aging skin care creams and, in some situations, administered by injection.
Your Body
Cells produce a small amount of alpha lipoic acid. However, the amount of ALA your body produces declines as you age, or when your immune system is compromised, which can lead to, or be as a result of serious disorders like cancer, dementia and autism.
Foods That Contain Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic acid is naturally present in many foods. Animal tissue, especially organ meats like the liver, kidneys, and heart, contains the largest amounts of this nutrient. To a lesser degree, alpha lipoic acid is found in vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, flaxseed oil, chia seeds and walnuts
Nutritional & Therapeutic Supplements
If your body doesn’t produce enough ALA, or you don’t get enough in your diet, which is especially true in Western culture where people consume processed foods which can increase the symptoms of autism reducing the immune system and increasing cancer rates, as well as the exposure to environmental toxins, and chemicals in the home, nutritional supplement that contains ALA can help.
ALA can help create normal blood sugar levels.[3, 4, 7, 8] and so help counteract an unhealthy diet, although with cases of cancer and other auto immune diseases a healthy diet is essential.
Please see this section for more on diet
Other supplements can also be taken to improve the bodies immune system and to reduce cancer and autism, like Immunotherapy GcMAF which is the naturally occurring backbone of the immune system.
Please see this section for more on GcMAF
ALA Is a Powerful Antioxidant
Most of ALA’s therapeutic properties arise from its status as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that produce oxidative stress and damage cells.[1]
During oxidation, O2 splits into two oxygen atoms, each of which has a single electron. Because electrons prefer to occur in pairs, these “free radicals” — the single electrons — look for and scavenge other electrons so they can pair up, thus damaging cells in the process.
Not only does alpha lipoic acid defend against free radicals, but it also helps boost the efficacy of other antioxidants like vitamin C and Vitamin E.
Encourages Normal Thyroid Hormone Levels
At the front of your throat, sitting like a little bowtie above your collarbone, the thyroid gland is a crucial part of the endocrine system. One of its most important functions is to produce the hormones that regulate maturation, growth, and metabolism. When thyroid health is compromised, hormones are thrown out of balance.
Supports Healthy Nerves
The nervous system has two primary components: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system includes your spinal cord and your brain. The peripheral nervous system, which is the larger of the two, consists of the nerve cells outside of your brain and spinal cord.
When the peripheral nerves are unhealthy, they may tingle and cause numbness, especially in the legs and feet. This can impair a person’s balance and affect their ability to grab and hold objects. Over time, this can progress and become severe and debilitating.[9] Research suggests that alpha lipoic acid’s oxidative stress-relieving qualities may support normal nervous system health, particularly in the peripheral nervous system.[10]
Promotes Normal Cardiovascular Function
Blood vessels are lined with a single layer of cells called the endothelium. When healthy, endothelial cells promote the relaxation of your blood vessels. The endothelial lining can become compromised due to illnesses, leading to poor vascular health.
As we age, oxidative stress negatively affects cardiovascular health. Unchecked, oxidative stress will damage endothelial tissue in arteries and affect blood flow, including to the heart. While the degradation of heart function can lead to serious health issues, antioxidants help promote a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.[11, 12, 13]
One study revealed that when ALA was introduced to previously damaged blood vessel cells in vitro (in Petri dishes), it promoted normal function of the cells and supported the cell’s antioxidant defenses.[12] In another study, IV-administered alpha lipoic acid helped promote normal circulation.[13] Overall, ALA has a cardioprotective effect which may be helpful to people seeking to support their heart.[14]
Supports Proper Liver Function
When evaluated for its effects on liver health, studies found that ALA supported proper liver function.[17, 18] Other studies found alpha lipoic acid supplementation promoted a healthier liver after exposure to various toxins.[6]
Promotes a Strong Brain and Sharp Memory
As you get older, your body produces less alpha lipoic acid, which means you have less protection from free radicals than when you’re young. Some research shows that people living in heavily polluted cities experience cognitive damage due to higher-than-normal levels of environmental toxins.[19]
Some studies show that the strong antioxidant properties of alpha lipoic acid help to sharpen the memory, promote mental clarity, and overall alertness.[20]
Balances Glucose levels in your blood
High levels of blood glucose, or blood sugar, are a result of the body’s inability to sustain normal insulin levels, the hormone responsible for helping glucose enter your cells. Without insulin, glucose builds up and can result in many serious health issues.
A 2017 study examined the effects of alpha lipoic acid on blood glucose levels and found that it helps sustain normal blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity,[27] indicating that ALA’s properties extend beyond that of being strictly an antioxidant.[4]
Cancer is a fungus in the body
And as such high blood sugar levels feed tumors and so its important to reduce your glucose levels and intake as much as possible.
Please see here for more on the recommended diet to help fight cancer
The consumption of processed food, fast food, and other unhealthy dietary choices is an epidemic that’s causing obesity and cancer rates to skyrocket – especially in Western culture.
Promotes Graceful Aging
As you age, oxidative stress takes a toll on cells and causes what we describe as “aging.” Studies have investigated the antioxidant properties of alpha lipoic acid how they might help balance the effects of aging. Some show that alpha lipoic acid reduces oxidative stress on skeletal muscle cells and helps aged heart tissue become more youthful.[24, 25] Other research showed that ALA might be beneficial in keeping excessive iron from accumulating in the cerebral cortex — which is linked to age-related oxidative stress and memory lapses.[26]
Dosing
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
By mouth
For diabetes and symptoms of diabetic nerve pain
Take 300-1800 mg of alpha-lipoic acid per day.
For aging skin:
A combination product containing 100 mg of alpha-lipoic acid, 30 mg of pine bark extract, 90 mg of vitamin C, 18 mg of vitamin E, 18 mg of vitamin B3, 62 mg of red clover extract, 40 mg of tomato extract, 12 mg of soya extract, 12 mg of zinc, 8 mg of vitamin B5, 2 mg of copper, and 350 mg of marine protein complex has been taken twice daily for 6 months..
For surgery to improve blood flow to the heart (CABG surgery):
- 100 mg of coenzyme Q10 three times per day,
- 400 mg of magnesium orotate three times per day,
- 100 mg of alpha-lipoic acid three times per day,
- 300 mg of omega-3 fatty acids three times per day,
- and 200 mcg of selenium once per day
- for up to 2 months before and 1 month after surgery has been used.
For obesity: 1800 mg of alpha-lipoic acid per day has been taken for 20 weeks.
Applied to the skin (topically)
For aging skin: A cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid applied to the face twice daily has been used.
INTRAVENOUS
For diabetes and symptoms of diabetic nerve pain
500-1200 mg of alpha-lipoic acid per day administered by a health care provider.
CHILDREN
By mouth
For diabetes: 300 mg of alpha-lipoic acid has been taken twice daily in combination with insulin.
Autism: 200 mg of alpha-lipoic acid has been taken twice daily in a protocol of combined products for the individual child.
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Thioctic acid – form: ampoules Brand & Manufacturer : Espa-lipon (Esparma, Germany)- Package Size : 300 mg, 12 ml, 10 pcs
Price: 99.75 euro plus 50 euro shipping for 1 box of 10 ampules, each ampules contains 12ml
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Safety & Side Effects
Overall, ALA supplementation at moderate servings does not produce significant adverse effects.[1] The most common reported side effects were skin reactions like itching, rashes or hives, with a small number of severe allergic reactions, and a few reported cases of nausea and stomach pain.[1] Some people have experienced heartburn, but eating a small snack with supplementation has been shown to help.
Some people report a sulfur smell in their urine, much like asparagus causes, when taking ALA.
Studies of older patients using supplements with servings ranging from 600 mg to 1,200 mg experienced nausea, acid reflux, and stomach discomfort.[30] Persons with diabetes who are using supplemental insulin should monitor their blood glucose levels closely when taking ALA supplements as it influences insulin-mediated blood glucose utilization.[1]
Always talk with a healthcare professional before taking supplemental ALA, especially if you are taking other medications or supplements.
Technical notes
Pharmacokinetics
The time to reach maximum concentration is 10-11 minutes. The area under the concentration-time curve is about 5 μg × h / ml.
Bioavailability – 30%. It has the effect of “first pass” through the liver. Metabolized in the liver by side chain oxidation and conjugation. The volume of distribution is about 450 ml / kg. Total plasma clearance – 10-15 ml / min. Thioctic acid and its metabolites are excreted by the kidneys (80-90%). The half-life is 20-50 minutes.
Composition
1 ml of solution contains:
Active substance: thioctic acid (alpha lipoic acid) 12.00 mg
This article is for educational purposes only. Please consult with a medical professional before you take any supplements.
Source: Global Healing Center
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