Alpha-Lipoic Acid Secrets..
What is alpha-lipoic acid?
It’s an organic compound found in all human cells, acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. It’s made inside the mitochondrion, where it helps enzymes turn nutrients into energy.
Alpha-lipoic acid is both water- and fat-soluble, which allows it to work in every cell or tissue in the body. The antioxidant properties of alpha-lipoic acid have been linked to several benefits, including lower blood sugar levels, reduced inflammation, slowed skin aging, and improved nerve function. Humans only produce alpha-lipoic acid in small amounts. That’s why many turn to certain foods or supplements to optimize their intake.
Uses and benefits:
Alpha-lipoic acid has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in;
• Diabetes:
Diabetes affects more than 400 million adults worldwide.
Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to reduce insulin resistance, improve blood sugar control, ease symptoms of nerve damage, and lower the risk of diabetic retinopathy.
Scientists believe that alpha-lipoic acid helps lower blood sugar by promoting processes that can remove fat that has accumulated in muscle cells, which otherwise makes insulin less effective.
• Weight loss:
Research has shown that alpha-lipoic acid has properties that may promote weight loss.
• Other health benefits:
Alpha-lipoic acid has strong antioxidant properties, which may reduce inflammation and skin aging, promote healthy nerve function, lower heart disease risk factors, and slow the progression of memory loss disorders.
- May Reduce Skin Aging
Alpha-lipoic acid raises the levels of other antioxidants, such as glutathione, which help protect against skin damage and may reduce signs of aging.
- May slow memory loss
Memory loss is a common concern among older adults.
It’s believed that damage from oxidative stress plays a critical role in memory loss. Because alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant, studies have examined its ability to slow the progression of disorders characterized by memory loss, such as Alzheimer's disease.
- Promotes healthy nerve function
Research has shown that alpha-lipoic acid promotes healthy nerve function.
Studies have also discovered that alpha-lipoic acid may ease symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
- Reduces inflammation
Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to lower several markers of inflammation.
ALA can significantly lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, CRP is an inflammation marker that may indicate chronic inflammation.
- May lower heart disease risk factors
Heart disease is responsible for one in four deaths in America.
First, antioxidant properties allow alpha-lipoic acid to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which is linked to damage that can increase heart disease risk.
Second, it’s been shown to improve endothelial dysfunction — a condition in which blood vessels cannot dilate properly, which also raises the risks of heart attack and stroke.
Several trials also found that ALA could lower levels of "bad" cholesterol, another risk factor for heart disease.
Alpha-lipoic acid source:
Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid that can be found in many foods such as; red meats, organ meats, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, green peas and rice bran.
Supplements can pack up to 1,000 times more alpha-lipoic acid than food sources. Studies show that about 30% to 40% of the oral dose of an ALA supplement is absorbed. ALA may be better absorbed if it is taken on an empty stomach.
Possible side effects:
Doctors consider ALA to be safe for most people, with little to no risk of side effects. Mild side effects of ALA can include nausea, rashes and itching if a person takes high doses. According to researchers, adults may take it up to 2,400 milligrams without serious side effects.
References:
1- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/alpha-lipoic-acid#bottom-line
2- https://www.webmd.com/diet/alpha-lipoic-acid-ala#1
3- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323738.php#takeaway