Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is both a water-soluble and fat-soluble nutrient found in the body and is also synthesized by plants and animals. It is an antioxidant which can help slow down cellular damage which is one of the root causes of diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. ALA works in the body to restore essential vitamin levels, such as Vitamin E and Vitamin C, along with helping the body digest and utilize carbohydrate molecules while turning them into usable energy. It can increase how the body uses a very important antioxidant known as glutathione, and it might increase energy metabolism too which is why some athletes use ALA supplements for enhanced physical performance.

Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid:

  • Fights Diabetes & Diabetic Complications
  • Helps Turn Glucose into Fuel for the Body
  • Preserves Eye Health
  • Prevents Memory Loss & Cognitive Decline
  • Helps Boost Glutathione

Health Problems Associated to Alpha Lipoic Acid Deficiency: 

  • Depression – Oxidative stress in the brain alters neurotransmitter function. Antioxidants protect our brain which is very sensitive to oxidation. Several antioxidants – Vitamins A, C and E, Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, Glutathione and Cysteine – play a key role in prevention and treatment of depression.
  • Diabetes – Alpha Lipoic Acid enhances glucose uptake in skeletal muscle tissue. Improves glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetics. Very effective treatment for diabetic neuropathy.
  • Dyslipidemia – Improves lipid profile by reducing small, dense LDL (dangerous type). Protects vascular lining from oxidized cholesterol.
  • Fatigue – Several studies confirm that oxidative stress exacerbates clinical symptoms of fatigue. Mitochondrial dysfunction (inefficient energy metabolism) can be treated therapeutically with antioxidants such as Selenium, Cysteine, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Glutathione of which unusually low levels are seen in chronic fatigue patients.
  • Fibromyalgia – Low antioxidant status (Glutathione, Cysteine, CoQ10, Selenium, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Vitamin C) increases pain in fibromyalgia, which is often considered an oxidative stress disorder.
  • Gastrointestinal Health – Suppresses damaging chemicals (cytokines) in GI tract that cause an inflammatory immune response. Preserves Glutathione levels and recycles Vitamin C.
  • Headaches – Enhances mitochondrial energy metabolism.
  • Hypothyroidism – Improves endothelial function in people with subclinical hypothyroidism. Protects thyroid cells from oxidative stress. May interfere with T4 therapy.
  • Hypertension – Improves vascular tone. Causes vasolidation. Works like calcium channel blocker meds. Recycles Vitamins C, E and Cysteine.
  • Inflammation – Neutralizes free radicals caused by uncontrolled inflammation in both water and lipid phases of the cell. Protects endothelial cells from inflammation. Regenerates other antioxidants such as Vitamisn C, E and Glutathione.
  • Pain – Very effective treatment for neuropathic pain.
  • Sports Nutrition – This powerful antioxidant reduces cellular damage due to intense physical exercise. Recycles other antioxidants such as Glutathione.
  • Weight Management – Improves glucose uptake into cells which will help person burn carbohydrates more efficiently.

How to Acquire Alpha Lipoic Acid:

  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Red Meat
  • Organ Meat (such as liver, hearts, kidneys from beef or chicken)
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Tomatoes
  • Peas
  • Beets
  • Carrots

Clinical Updates on Alpha Lipoic Acid