|
Prevention
of free radical damage
Alpha-Lipoic
Acid - powerful and universal antioxidant
lpha-lipoic
acid is a naturally-occurring antioxidant compound that is synthesized
by plants and animals, including humans. Although our bodies produce lipoic
acid, and it can also be found in some foods such as potatoes, red meat,
liver, and yeast, these sources do not provide enough to achieve optimum
benefits from it. Experts recommends 50 mg/day of lipoic acid - much more
than is normally available to the body - as a preventive measure against
damage caused by free-radical attacks. This is why it should be taken
as a nutritional supplement by anyone who wants to retard the body's aging
process.
Alpha-lipoic
acid, also known as thioctic acid, is a powerful antioxidant which protects
the body-tissues. It might be called the perfect antioxidant, because
its uniquely valuable property is that alpha-lipoic acid is able to deactivate
both fat-soluble and water-soluble free radicals. Because of this, it
protects both lipoproteins and cell-membranes - actions no other antioxidant
can combine. Scientific
abstracts
|
|
Alpha-Lipoic
Acid and metabolism
Alpha-lipoic acid is in fact used by our bodies to speed-up metabolism
and support energy production. There have been hundreds of scientific
studies over the last 40 years which have revealed how lipoic acid
energizes metabolism. In addition, recent studies show how it protects
our genetic material and slows aging.
Another function of lipoic acid is that it increases the bioavailability
of several very important nutrients, including vitamins B, C, and
E, helping to conserve them and maintain healthy levels of them
in the body. When the body is deficient in lipoic acid, other antioxidant
substances do not properly "network together"; and so, providing
an adequate supply of lipoic acid can produce a superadditive effect.
Scientific
abstracts |
|
|
Alpha-Lipoic
Acid and diabetes
In non-diabetic patients alpha-lipoic acid helps to normalize blood
sugar levels. Both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetics
will be interested to learn that lipoic acid has been used for nearly
30 years in Europe to cope with diabetic neuropathy, to help regulate
blood sugar, and to prevent diabetic cardiopathy. Scientific
abstracts |
|
|
Alpha-Lipoic
Acid and HIV
New studies have indicated alpha-lipoic acid as a possible HIV-inhibitor.
Scientific
abstracts |
|
|
Alpha-Lipoic
Acid and protection of the brain
Supplementation with Alpha-lipoic acid can increase the levels in
the brain of the protective compound glutathione. This substance
has a very important function; glutathione protects the brain from
damage caused by free radicals. Scientific
abstracts |
|
|
Alpha-Lipoic
Acid and the nervous system
Alpha-lipoic acid also increases creatine intake. Studies show that
alpha-lipoic acid is beneficial for the nervous system, due to its
ability to protect and repair neurons; it not only protects, but
may even be involved in regenerating nerves. As indicated above,
it is being studied for its possible role in the treatment of Parkinson's
disease and Alzheimer's disease. Scientific
abstracts |
|
|
Alpha-Lipoic
Acid and radiation sickness
Alone or together with vitamin E and vitamin C, alpha-lipoic acid
is usefull in nuclear-radiation exposure, lessening indices of oxidative
damage and normalizing organ functions. Scientific
abstracts |
| Some
foods with relatively high alpha-lipoic acid content |
|
Food
|
Serving
|
Alpha-lipoic
acid (mcg/serving)
|
|
|
Beef
kidney
|
3
ounces (85 g)
|
19
|
|
Beef
heart
|
3
ounces (85 g)
|
32
|
|
Beef
liver
|
3
ounces (85 g)
|
14
|
|
Spinach
|
1
cup raw (30 g)
|
5
|
|
Broccoli
|
1
cup raw (71 g)
|
4
|
|
Tomato
|
1
medium (123 g)
|
3
|
|
Peas
|
1
cup raw (145 g)
|
7
|
|
Brussel
sprouts
|
1
cup raw (88 g)
|
3
|
|
