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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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George, UT 84791 (). Seek appropriate professional

assistance for all serious health problems.

?2014 May be reproduced provided it is not altered in any way.

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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