| Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) occurs naturally in the body | | | | supplement regimens. |
| and plays a crucial role in the energy-producing | | | | Research shows that the potency of alpha-lipoic |
| structures of cells. At the molecular level, it binds | | | | acid may be diminished if mixed with certain |
| to protein and functions as a cofactor for several | | | | compounds such as thiamine. |
| important mitochondrial enzymes. Although the | | | | *Statement not evaluated by FDA |
| majority of alpha-lipoic acid produced by the body | | | | Clinical studies and alpha-lipoic acid research |
| is used almost entirely to generate energy, | | | | The majority of current research available |
| researchers have found that ALA may act as an | | | | focuses on the impact of alpha-lipoic acid on |
| antioxidant when incorporated into the diet. | | | | rodents in the laboratory. ALA research has found |
| Taken in supplement form, alpha-lipoic acid may | | | | that alpha-lipoic acid supplementation may aid |
| defend the body against free radicals and single | | | | inflammation in rats and reduce oxidative stress. It |
| action molecules which can damage cells and lead | | | | may also help to metabolize glucose and regulate |
| to degenerative disorders associated with | | | | blood sugar in mice. |
| diminished health and aging. Other common and | | | | Because oxidative damage is shown to be a |
| scientific names for alpha-lipoic acid include ALA, | | | | major factor in the decline of physiological function |
| biletan, lipoic acid, lipoicin, thioctacid, thioctan and | | | | in older persons, ALA's potential in fighting immune |
| thioctic acid. | | | | disorders may be far reaching, as ALA has been |
| Sources of alpha-lipoic acid | | | | found to protect cells from oxidative damage in |
| Alpha-lipoic acid is synthesized in both animals and | | | | older rats. It's also been shown to suppress |
| humans. But because little "free" alpha-lipoic acid is | | | | collagen-induced arthritis in mice and to slow retinal |
| left circulating in the body after cells use it for | | | | degeneration. Rodent studies suggest that ALA |
| energy, external sources of ALA are needed to | | | | may improve epidermal blood flow and aid nerve |
| produce an antioxidant effect. These include | | | | damage caused by high blood glucose. |
| meats and select vegetables (such as spinach) | | | | As a result of aggressive testing in the lab, |
| and dietary supplements that contain alpha-lipoic | | | | alpha-lipoic acid is being studied for its potential in |
| acid. | | | | fighting human disorders as the cellular level. |
| How ALA works in the body | | | | Alpha-lipoic acid research, however, is in the |
| Alpha-lipoic acid, recognized for its antioxidant | | | | nascent stage, and the long-term potential of ALA |
| potential in the late 1980s, is said to function in | | | | supplementation in human health is relatively |
| both reduced and oxidized forms. It may | | | | unknown. |
| neutralize free radicals in both the watery and | | | | Alpha-lipoic acid efficacy and the FDA |
| fatty regions of cells and fortify the antioxidant | | | | ALA is considered a dietary supplement in the U.S. |
| power of vitamins C (water soluble) and E (fat | | | | and is neither regulated nor inspected by the FDA. |
| soluble). It's also been said to extend the | | | | As a result, there's no guarantee to the purity, |
| metabolic lifespan of glutathione (a tripeptide | | | | safety or strength of alpha-lipoic acid supplements. |
| essential to the metabolism of nutrients in cells | | | | Research has revealed ALA benefits in rodents, |
| and one that plays a major role in dissolving toxic | | | | but effective human clinical studies remain in the |
| substances in the liver) and coenzyme Q10 (a | | | | distance. |
| vitamin-like enzymatic cofactor needed for cells to | | | | Laboratory tests in 2007 found that certain ALA |
| produce energy). Supplemental forms of | | | | supplements contained less alpha-lipoic acid than |
| alpha-lipoic acid are easily absorbed into the | | | | indicated on the label. |
| bloodstream and may cross the blood-brain | | | | For more information on Alpha Lipoic Acid, visit |
| barrier. | | | | References |
| Alpha-lipoic acid benefits; claims | | | | 1. All About alpha-lipoic acid. Frequently asked |
| Research indicates that ALA supplementation may | | | | questions. The Complementary and Alternative |
| slow age-related heart problems and brain | | | | Medicine Information Source Book. Edition 1, 2001 |
| degeneration, and help boost the physiological | | | | p159. |
| strength and cognitive function of older persons - | | | | 2. [alpha ]-Lipoic acid modulates gut inflammation |
| hence its reference as an anti-aging nutrient. ALA | | | | induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid in |
| may also stave off age-related macular | | | | rats.(Author abstract)(Report) Meltem Kolgazi, |
| degeneration and, when added to cosmetic | | | | Nermina Jahovic, Meral Yuksel, Feriha Ercan, Lnci |
| creams and face masks, alpha-lipoic acid may | | | | Alican. Journal of Gastroenterology and |
| enhance the elasticity and youthful appearance of | | | | Hepatology. Nov 2007 v22 i11 p1859 (7). |
| skin. | | | | 3. Antioxidants and narrow band-UVB in the |
| Benefits of ALA supplementation may include:o A | | | | treatment of vitiligo: a double-blind placebo |
| reduction of oxidative stress and circulating free | | | | controlled trial. (Author abstract)(Report) Clinical |
| radicals in the bodyo Improved heart and artery | | | | and Experimental Dermatology. Nov 2007 v32 i6 |
| healtho Enhanced immune system strength and | | | | p631 (6). |
| brain functiono Blood glucose regulation and | | | | 4. The effect of [alpha ]-lipoic acid on symptoms |
| balanced cholesterolo Detoxification of the livero | | | | and skin blood flow in diabetic neuropathy.(Author |
| A healthy neural system | | | | abstract)(Report) H.Y. Jin, S.J. Joung, J.H. Park, H.S. |
| Alpha-lipoic acid side effects, safety and toxicity | | | | Baek, T.S. Park. Diabetic Medicine. Sept 2007 v24 |
| Alpha-lipoic acid is said to be safe in doses ranging | | | | i9 p1034(5). |
| from 100 mg to 400 mg daily.* It may also be | | | | 5. Mitochondrial Aging and the Beneficial Role of |
| toxic, and even fatal, in doses as high as 1,800 | | | | [alpha]-Lipoic Acid. (Author abstract) A. R. |
| mg a day.* Excessive doses of alpha-lipoic acid | | | | Palaniappan, A. Dai. Neurochemical Research. Sept |
| have been known to cause stomach upset and | | | | 2007 v32 i9 p1552 (7). |
| nausea and may lead to dangerously low blood | | | | 6. Wellness Guide to Dietary Supplements. UC |
| glucose levels. The frequency and strength of | | | | Berkeley 2007. |
| ALA supplementation is typically based on the | | | | 7. New alpha-lipoic acid from Aquanova |
| reason for treatment. | | | | Nutraceuticals International. July 2007 pNA. |
| It is advisable to consult a physician prior to ALA | | | | 8. tests alpha lipoic acid supplements Nutraceuticals |
| supplementation if you're:o Taking any type of | | | | World. July-August 2007 v10 i7 p14 (1). |
| prescription medicineo Allergic to any prescription | | | | 9. Alpha-lipoic acid suppresses the development of |
| or over-the-counter medicine or dietary | | | | collagen-induced arthritis and protects against bone |
| supplemento Pregnant or plan to become | | | | destruction in mice. Eun Young Lee, Chang-Keun |
| pregnanto Nursingo Suffering from any type of | | | | Lee, Ki-Up Lee, Joong Yeol Park, Kyung-Ja Cho, |
| cardiovascular, heart, blood or arterial disorder | | | | You Sook Cho, Hee Ran Lee, Se Hwan Moon, |
| Though alpha-lipoic acid appears to be safe, the | | | | Hee-Bom Moon, Bin Yoo. Rheumatology |
| effects of long-term use have yet to be fully | | | | International. Jan 2007 v27 i3 p225 (9). |
| explored. Contraindications may exist, as might | | | | 10. Alpha-lipoic acid. Alternative Medicine Review. |
| adverse reactions with certain medications or | | | | Sept 2006 v11 i3 p232 (6). |