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Alpha Lipoic Acid Is The King Of All Supplements

Alpha Lipoic Acid(ALA) is a vitamin-like substance that functions as a co-factor for energy production. As both a water soluble and a fat soluble antioxidant, it provides internal cell protection and cell membrane (external) protection against free radicals. While the body can make ALA on its own, levels decline with age and stress and other natural causes.

Upon ingestion, ALA is absorbed by the small intestine, enters the bloodstream and crosses the blood-brain barrier and is found within cells, between cell tissue and within the mitochondria (the cells powerhouse). In fact, when the body makes its own ALA, it synthesizes it in the mitochondria. As an antioxidant, ALA prevents reactive oxygen species (free radicals) from damaging cell membranes.

ALA provides antioxidant protection inside and outside of cells. It also recycles other antioxidants circulating in the body, such as vitamins C, E, CoQ10 and glutathione.

In diabetic patients with neuropathy, Alpha Lipoic Acid reverses nerve vascular resistance and improves blood flow and nerve conduction velocity. It also plays a role in new neurite growth and in improving glucose uptake. Most research suggests several years of Alpha Lipoic Acid supplementation may be needed to improve neuropathy. In a case of a heart attack or stroke, Alpha Lipoic Acid prevents or at least reduces cell and tissue damage.

You get a better result when ALA is consumed between 300-600mg/day although up to 1200mg/day has been used in research showing improvement in diabetic polyneuropathy.

People who are being treated for diabetes should seek advice with an allied health professional before using high doses of Alpha Lipoic Acid, since it may lower blood glucose levels. It has not been known as yet of an overdose of ALA.

Recent studies have validated the beneficial effects of ALA and another substance known as L-Carnitine supplementation in raising energy production in the mitochondria and actually identified the mechanism responsible by improving specific enzymes necessary for mitochondrial function that normally decline with age.

Oxidative stress to the mitochondria is a sure sign of aging within cells. ALA contributes antioxidant protection and regeneration of serum antioxidants to counter oxidative stress. As a component of mitochondrial function, ALA was found to alleviate age-related decline in activity of the mitochondria.

In the aging process, the brain is particularly susceptible to mitochondrial degradation. ALA has been reported to improve enzyme activity in the brain. Considered a neuroprotective nutrient, Alpha Lipoic Acid was shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and improvements in spatial and temporal memory function. Another study notes ALA improved excitotoxic amino acid injury.