Why lipoic acid is good for you
Lipoic acid (also known as alpha-lipoic acid and thioctic acid) is a coenzyme which is present in the mitochondria of cells. Lipoic acid is an enzyme helper, which works with enzymes to produce energy by breaking down sugar (in the Krebs cycle).
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant which is both water and fat soluble. This means that lipoic acid can deactivate both water and fat soluble free radicals.
The body usually makes enough of its own lipoic acid, but if there is an excess then lipoic acid behaves like an antioxidant.
An important part of lipoic acid's antioxidant activity is that it actually helps to recycle the antioxidant activity of other antioxidants. Usually when an antioxidant scavenges for free radicals, the antioxidant is used up and disappears (along with the free radical), but lipoic acid can actually regenerate itself and other antioxidants so that they can all be used again and again to scavenge for free radicals.
Important lipoic acid facts
* Lipoic acid is approved in Germany to treat conditions such as diabetic and alcoholic polyneuropathies and liver disease
* Lipoic acid speeds up the removal of glucose from the blood, an important effect for people with glucose problems, such as diabetics
* An isomer of lipoic acid, called R-Alpha-Lipoic Acid is the form that is found naturally in the body
* Lipoic acid is quickly absorbed when taken orally and once inside cells is quickly converted to its most potent form, dihydrolipoic acid
* Lipoic acid is often referred to as the "universal antioxidant"
Lipoic acid and health
* Lipoic Acid and Diabetic Neuropathy - several studies on people with this condition showed significant reduction in pain and better blood flow in the extremities
* Lipoic Acid and Diabetes - several studies have shown that lipoic acid increases glucose uptake and utilisation (thereby normalising blood glucose levels)
* Lipoic Acid and Atherosclerosis - some studies have shown that lipoic acid slows or stops the development of atherosclerosis (diabetics are at higher risk for this condition), from lipoic acids's antioxidant and metabolic effects
* Lipoic Acid and Heart Health - a recent study showed that lipoic acid prevented the oxidisation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol (this is an indicator of heart disease) in healthy people. Other studies have shown that lipoic acid can prevent or reduce cell and tissue damage in heart disease and stroke
* Lipoic Acid and Ageing - as people age, levels of lipoic acid naturally decreases, while free radical activity increases. Lipoic acid works to increase antioxidant activity and destroy free radicals
* Lipoic Acid and Cancer - one study has shown that lipoic acid inhibits the promotion of inflammation and genetic changes that have been linked with the development of cancer
Lipoic acid in food
* potatoes
* carrots
* broccoli
* beets
* yams
* red meat
People who wish to take an lipoic acid supplement should talk to a medical professional BEFORE taking it.
This article is from the health and nutrition resource, Vital health Zone.
