Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid

What is alpha lipoic acid? What are the benefits of alpha lipoic acid? What are the possible side effects and dangers of alpha lipoic acid?

Alpha lipoic acid is an organic compound that is produced in small amounts naturally by plants, animals and humans. It is a powerful and important antioxidant and is also known as ALA, lipoic acid or LA and thioctic acid.

One of its main functions is the metabolism of glucose. It converts glucose or blood sugar into energy and has a positive effect on blood sugar level. A deficiency of alpha lipoic acid may cause the slowing down of body's metabolic rate and affect normal bodily functions.

Being an antioxidant, it helps hunt and prevent excessive free radicals from damaging the body. Excess free radicals due to poor diet, pollution, toxins, medications and stress are harmful and contribute to diseases and speed up the process of aging. ALA helps neutralizes the potential effect of these harmful chemicals. Unlike the antioxidants in vitamin C and vitamin E, alpha lipoic acid is both fat and water soluble compound and therefore is able to move around in all parts of the cells in the body, including passing through the blood brain barrier, to put its function into effect.

Another function of lipoic acid is its ability to restore vitamin C, vitamin E and Glutathione that have been used. Glutathione is a molecule that is produced by the liver and is a powerful antioxidant and a natural detoxifier. It helps strengthen the immune system. When all these three used compounds are regenerated by lipoic acid, they are able to revive their effectiveness.

Now that you know the functions of ALA, you may now understand the benefits of alpha lipoic acid and why you may need to take alpha lipoic supplement. Though you can get alpha lipoic acid from foods such as spinach, broccoli and brussel spouts, they are available only in very small amounts. Furthermore cooking and processing may destroy them.

Many anti aging products include lipoic acid as one of their ingredients because of the benefits of alpha lipoic acid in anti aging treatment. This is because even though your body is able to synthesize ALA, it isn't sufficient to regenerate vitamin C, vitamin E and Glutathione and protect you from harmful chemicals. When alpha lipoic acid is combined with acetyl l carnitine or ALC, it has a more potent effect including slowing the aging process.

Click this link to learn more about the combination of alpha lipoic acid and acetyl l carnitine.

What is the correlation between alpha lipoic acid and diabetes?

Research has shown that diabetic sufferers who take alpha lipoic acid supplements were able to reduce pains and the symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy which is common among diabetics. You can read more about alpha lipoic acid and diabetes here.

Is there any possible alpha lipoic side effects? Are there any possible dangers? What is the recommended alpha lipoic dosage?

Linus Pauling Institute recommends a daily dose of 200-400 mg per day of alpha lipoic supplement for generally healthy people. The possible side effects of alpha lipoic acid are allergic reaction. It may include rashes, hives and itching. Gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also arise.

Those who are suffering from diabetes or are pregnant or lactating should get advice from their doctors before taking any kind of food supplements. Dangers of alpha lipoic acid may arise because of drug interactions. And since alpha lipoic acid supplements have the ability to improve insulin-mediated glucose utilization and increase blood glucose levels, anyone who is on diabetes and thyroid medication should seek professional advice.

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