C E L L E N C ENI H ERBALDUCATI Alpha Lipoic Acid EX ON T ...
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Alpha Lipoic Acid
A fat and water soluble antioxidant that aids liver detoxification
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a vitamin-like enzyme cofactor or a
coenzyme. It is chemically similar to a vitamin, but can be manufactured by the body, so it is not considered an essential nutrient. It is
also found in foods, so it can be obtained from the diet. Organ meats,
red meat, yams, carrots, beets, nutritional yeast, spinach, broccoli, and
potatoes are dietary sources of ALA.
Discovered in 1951 ALA plays a major role in the Krebs cycle, a
series of chemical reactions that convert food into energy within the
cell. In the mitochondria inside the cell, ALA helps to convert carbohydrates, fats and proteins into water and carbon dioxide, producing
ATP, the substance that fuels cellular energy.
In the 1980s, researchers realized that ALA was also a powerful antioxidant. In 1996 Lester Packer, PhD referred to ALA as a
¡°universal,¡± ¡°ideal¡± and ¡°metabolic¡± antioxidant. Most antioxidants
are either fat-soluble (like vitamin E) or water-soluble (like vitamin
C). ALA is both, so it can neutralize free radicals in both fatty and
watery regions of the cell. It is easily absorbed and transported across
cell membranes, which offers the unique quality of offering protection against free radicals both inside and outside the cell. ALA also
has the ability to regenerate other antioxidants like vitamin C and E,
CoQ10 and glutathione.
As a supplement there is good research suggesting ALA may be
helpful in conditions like diabetes, metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes),
peripheral neuropathy, vitiligo, weight loss and wound healing. There
are numerous other conditions for which it has been recommended
by natural healers, but scientific data verifying its usefulness in these
situations is weak or lacking. Here are some of situations where ALA
supplementation may be helpful.
Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome
There is both animal and clinical research that suggests that ALA
can help to lower high blood sugar levels and reduce insulin resistance.
It enhances the action of insulin to speed up the removal of glucose
from the bloodstream. It appears that ALA may restrict glycation, a
complication of low insulin production that causes numerous problems
including reduced circulation to the lower extremities, plaque buildup in the arteries, kidney ailments and retinopathy. This makes ALA
a useful supplement to take as part of a program to manage blood
sugar levels and also means that ALA may help to protect the heart
and cardiovascular system.
Neuropathy
ALA is an approved treatment for diabetic neuropathy in Germany.
Research suggests that oral or intravenous administration of ALA can
reduce neuropathy symptoms such as burning, pain, numbness or
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tingling in the hands and feet. This improvement usually occurs after
administration of about 600-1800 mg. daily for three to five weeks.
ALA¡¯s antioxidant properties appear to be partially responsible for this
action, but it also appears to work by improving blood flow, increase
glucose uptake, promote growth of nerve cells and helping to remove
heavy metals. Because ALA can cross the blood brain barrier, it may
also help to prevent oxidative damage to the brain.
Weight Loss
Besides helping to balance blood sugar levels, ALA helps to direct
calories away from fat production into energy production in the cells.
Clinical research using 1800 mg of ALA daily for 20 weeks resulted
in a loss of both weight and body fat.
Vitiligo
In clinical research a product containing alpha lipoic acid, vitamin
C, vitamin E and polyunsaturured fats was used along with ultraviolet
B phototherapy. Over eight months this therapy significantly improved
the likelihood of repigmentation.
Liver Detoxification
ALA helps to regenerate glutathione and can aid glutathione
conjugation in the liver. This means it can be helpful in heavy metal
detoxification and in protecting the liver from toxins. ALA has also
been used in treating mushroom poisoning and may be helpful in
some forms of hepatitis. For instance, there is preliminary evidence
that ALA may reduce liver size and improve symptoms in nonalcoholic
steatophepatitis (NASH).
Suggested Use
NSP¡¯s Alpha Lipoic Acid capsules contain 250 mg. of ALA in combination with turmeric, which compliments the antioxidant properties
of alpha lipoic acid. Dosage is 1-2 capsules two to three times daily,
depending on the situation. ALA is also found in Brain-Protex with
Hyperzine A, which helps protect brain cells from damage, Cellular
Energy, which contains nutrients to increase energy production in
the mitochondria and Heavy Metal Detox, which helps the body get
rid of toxic metals.
There is no toxicity to ALA, but people with diabetes should
monitor their blood sugar levels regularly when taking ALA.
Selected References:
PDR for Nutritional Supplements by Medical Economics Press
Natural Medicine¡¯s database (naturaldatabase.)
Herbal Therapy and Supplements by Merrily A. Kuhn and David Winston
The Comprehensive Guide to Nature¡¯s Sunshine Products by Tree of Light
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