Guest guest Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Yes, Cy ALA is supposed to be helpful with all those things mentioned in the article. It is also supposedly helpful in reducint neuropathy symptoms if thaken in large enough doses! Harry and Hi, This came from another list but it does sound interesting. Anyone know anything about it? to be Alpha Lipoic Acid- ALA- ALA is not to be confused with the alpha-linolenic acid (also called ALA) found in flax, canola oil and walnuts. Lipoic acid, or thioctic acid is slowly being recognized for its ability to assist the body in a number of significant energy production and physiological functions. For this reason it deserves the title of a multi-tasking supplement.Let's have a look at why.Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is naturally produced in the body; hence, it is often called a metabolic antioxidant. First discovered in the 1930's, it was not until the 1950's that researchers began to take an interest in lipoic acid as a serious supplement. As a result of these studies, lipoic acid was labeled a 'universal' antioxidant. Why? Because it helps to recycle other important antioxidants such as, vitamin C and E, in the body. Remember, antioxidants are the good guys that assist the body from oxidizing too much and too quickly, due to over production of free radicals - a very common physiological phenomena that results from stress, metabolic wastes and physical exercise. As we know, too much free radical damage causes inflammation, heart disease and premature aging. The only way to halt this process is to ensure the body has plenty of bioavailable antioxidants to counteract the free radical damage.What is so special about Lipoic Acid?Unlike other antioxidants which are either fat soluble or water soluble, lipoic acid simultaneously acts as both a fat and a water-soluble antioxidant in the body. This allows it to be easily absorbed and transported across cell membranes. This unique quality of lipoic acid offers protection against free radicals both inside and outside the cell, whereas other antioxidants only provide protection outside the cells and not inside, where a lot of action takes place.In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid helps the body use glucose; hence, it is useful in lowering blood sugar levels and in the management of diabetes.Diabetes Mellitus is a degenerative condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood. Glucose (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream as a result of the body's inability to produce insulin (which regulates blood/sugar levels) or the inability o f insulin in the body to control sugar levels.This is where lipoic acid is of benefit, as studies have shown that lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose (sugar) from the blood in people with diabetes.Lipoic acid functions as a co-factor for a number of important enzymes responsible for the conversion of our food to energy, known as Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP). ATP is required to provide energy for cellular function and is the energy source our muscles use for short bursts of power.Over the past few years, the pace of research into lipoic acid has increased dramatically. In 1995, Lester Packer, PhD, a professor of molecular biology at the University of California, Berkeley, published a lengthy review article on alpha-lipoic acid in Free Radical Biology & Medicine (1995;19:227-50). In April 1996, he presented a short review of it in the same journal (FRBM;20:625-6).According to Professor Packer, lipoic acid " could have far-reaching consequences in the search for prevention and t herapy of chronic degenerative conditions " .Several studies suggest that treatment with lipoic acid may help reduce pain, burning, itching, tingling, and numbness in people who have nerve damage (called peripheral neuropathy) caused by diabetes. Lipoic acid has been used for years for this purpose in Europe.The fact that lipoic acid has a beneficial impact on diabetic neuropathy is also supported by other leading doctors in this field such as Dr. Ira D. Goldfine, director, Division of Diabetes & Endocrine Research, Mount Zion Medical Center, University of California San Francisco. However, the current oral formulations of lipoic acid are not of therapeutic value, and typically remain in the blood only a very short time, requiring either multiple daily doses or intravenous infusions. While more clinical studies are needed with controlled-release oral formulations of alpha-lipoic acid, it is already evident that such preparations should be very helpful for diabetics suffering from neuropathy.For well over 30 years physicians in Germany have been clinically treating diabetics with lipoic acid and in Germany to date, alpha-lipoic acid is an approved medical treatment for peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes. This is due to the fact that lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose from the bloodstream, at least partly by enhancing insulin function, and it reduces insulin resistance, an underpinning of many cases of coronary heart disease and obesity. However, we need to note that the therapeutic dose for lipoic acid is 600 mg/day. In the United States, it is sold as a dietary supplement, usually as 50 mg tablets. In Australia it is usually 100mg as either S-Alpha Lipoic Acid, a synthetic, or R-S Alpha Lipoic Acid, a mixture of real and synthetic. Definitely not the therapeutic dose needed to provide the results that the German physicians are accustomed to working with.How to get the best sources?Even though our bodies are capable of manufacturing lipoic acid, we still need to get additional supply from our diet or from supplements. In nature, the richest food source of alpha-lipoic acid is red meat, other sources include, spinach, broccoli, yeast (particularly Brewer's yeast), and certain organ meats (such as kidney and heart).The two types of Alpha Lipoic acidNot all lipoic acid supplements are the same; this is the sad bit about this wonderful antioxidant. Most of the Lipoic Acid on the market in Australia is not pure lipoic acid, known as R- Alpha Lipoic Acid. There is a pure R form of lipoic acid on the market but, it is a practitioner product and, you would need to ask for it specifically, otherwise we are wasting our money on the S form of lipoic acid, (S-Alpha Lipoic Acid), which is synthetic. A number of health supplement companies make a mixture of real and synthetic lipoic acid displayed on the label as R,S - Alpha Lipoic Acid. This means that you are buying both the natural and the synthetic form of lipoic in one. The only drawback is that you would not know how much of the R or S is in the formula.As consumers, we have a lot of power in relation to the formulations of the supplements. All it takes is for us to be wiser and more selective. As supply and demand still dictates quality and quantity, if we only choose to use the R form lipoic acid, companies will inevitably succumb to this demand, in order to ensure their sales stay up and not down. When it comes to our health and supplements we deserve the highest and best quality and standards in supplements, otherwise there is no point in taking these supplements as we are not getting what we need!The other advantage of taking the R form only is that we would use a smaller dose; 50 mg of R-Lipoic Acid is equivalent to 100 mg of synthetic lipoic acid. A further advantage is that the body assimilates the R form much more readily than the S form.There is a clear advantage in adding the multi-tasking lipoic acid supplement to our health regime; first, it recycles other antioxidants, the good guys who halt premature ageing as well as degenerative conditions and, secondly, lipoic acid improves blood sugar levels in our blood and energy production in our muscles However, the wonderful advantages from lipoic come only from the R-form. Even if our diet is high in red meat and spinach taking a little extra lipoic acid would prove beneficial for anyone who is active, lives a full life, likes occasional sweets and even if they do not have blood sugar irregularities, having an antioxidant recycling facility in our bodies would be a good start towards wellness and longevity.Reference <longevity.Referenceshttp://www.NaturalNews.com/006445.htmlhttp:/www.nutriti > shttp://www.NaturalNews.com/006445.htmlhttp://www.nutriti onreporter.com/Alpha-...http: <Alpha-...http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.htmlNickander> //www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.htmlNickander KK, McPhee BR, Low PA, Tritschler H. Alpha-lipoic acid: antioxidant potency against lipid peroxidation of neural tissues in vitro and implications for diabetic neuropathy. Free Rad Biol Med. 1996; 21:631-639.Packer L, Witt EH, Tritschler, HJ. Alpha-lipoic as a biological antioxidant. Free Rad Biol Med. 1995; 19:227-250.Wagh SS, Natraj CV, Menon KKG. Mode of action of lipoic acid in diabetes. J Biosci. 1987; 11:59-74.Ziegler D, Hanefeld M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A three-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN study). Diabetologia. 1995; 38:1425-1433.Nagamatsu, M., et al. " Lipoic acid improves nerve blood flow, reduces oxidative stress and improves distal nerve conduction in experimental diabetic neuropathy. " Diabetes Care, 18: 1160-67, 1995.http://www.umm. <http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplemen...> edu/altmed/ConsSupplemen... Alpha Lipoic Acid: The Multi-Tasking Supplement < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/025150.html> ews.com/025150.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/025150.html%3ehttp:/www.naturalnews.com/025150.h > ews.com/025150.html%3ehttp:/www.naturalnews.com/025150.h tml> >http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/025150.html> ews.com/025150.html Tuesday, December 23, 2008 by: Teya Skae, citizen journalist <Author137.htm>See all articles by this author < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/contactauthor.asp?ID=137> ews.com/contactauthor.asp?ID=137 <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/contactauthor.asp?ID=137 & Token=0 & Title=Alpha%20L > ews.com/contactauthor.asp?ID=137 & Token=0 & Title=Alpha%20L ipoic%20Acid:%20%20The%20Multi-Tasking%20Supplement%3eEmail> & Token=0 & Title=Alpha%20Lipoic%20Acid:%20%20The%20Multi-Tasking%20Supplement> Email this author Articles Related to This Article: .. < http://www.NaturalN <http://www.NaturalNews.com/025095.html> ews.com/025095.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/025095.html%3eLipoic> ews.com/025095.html%3eLipoic> >Lipoic Acid Leads the Pack of Antioxidants that Protect Youth and Slow Aging .. < http://www.NaturalN <http://www.NaturalNews.com/023318.html> ews.com/023318.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/023318.html%3eAntioxidant> ews.com/023318.html%3eAntioxidant> >Antioxidant Blend May Offer Protection in Life Threatening Conditions .. < http://www.NaturalN <http://www.NaturalNews.com/023098.html> ews.com/023098.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/023098.html%3eAntioxidant> ews.com/023098.html%3eAntioxidant> >Antioxidant Blends May Offer Protection in Life Threatening Conditions (NaturalNews) If there is one highly competent, yet underrated supplement, it would have to be Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). ALA is not to be confused with the alpha-linolenic acid (also called ALA) found in flax, canola oil and walnuts. Lipoic acid, or thioctic acid is slowly being recognized for its ability to assist the body in a number of significant energy production and physiological functions. For this reason it deserves the title of a multi-tasking supplement. Let's have a look at why. Lipoic acid is an < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxidant.html> ews.com/antioxidant.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxidant.html%3eantioxidant> ews.com/antioxidant.html%3eantioxidant> >antioxidant that is naturally produced in the body; hence, it is often called a metabolic antioxidant. First discovered in the 1930's, it was not until the 1950's that researchers began to take an interest in lipoic acid as a serious supplement. As a result of these studies, lipoic acid was labeled a 'universal' antioxidant. Why? Because it helps to recycle other important < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxidants.html> ews.com/antioxidants.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxidants.html%3eantioxidants> ews.com/antioxidants.html%3eantioxidants> >antioxidants such as, vitamin C and E, in the body. Remember, antioxidants are the good guys that assist the body from oxidizing too much and too quickly, due to over production of < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/free_radicals.html> ews.com/free_radicals.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/free_radicals.html%3efree> ews.com/free_radicals.html%3efree> >free radicals - a very common physiological phenomena that results from stress, metabolic wastes and physical exercise. As we know, too much free radical damage causes inflammation, < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/heart_disease.html> ews.com/heart_disease.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/heart_disease.html%3eheart> ews.com/heart_disease.html%3eheart> >heart disease and premature aging. The only way to halt this process is to ensure the body has plenty of bioavailable antioxidants to counteract the free radical damage. What is so special about Lipoic Acid? Unlike other antioxidants which are either fat soluble or water soluble, lipoic acid simultaneously acts as both a fat and a water-soluble antioxidant in the body. This allows it to be easily absorbed and transported across cell membranes. This unique quality of lipoic acid offers protection against free radicals both inside and outside the cell, whereas other antioxidants only provide protection outside the cells and not inside, where a lot of action takes place. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid helps the body use < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/glucose.html> ews.com/glucose.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/glucose.html%3eglucose> ews.com/glucose.html%3eglucose> >glucose ; hence, it is useful in lowering < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/blood_sugar_levels.html> ews.com/blood_sugar_levels.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/blood_sugar_levels.html%3eblood> ews.com/blood_sugar_levels.html%3eblood> >blood sugar levels and in the management of < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetes.html> ews.com/diabetes.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetes.html%3ediabetes> ews.com/diabetes.html%3ediabetes> >diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus is a degenerative condition associated with abnormally high levels of < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/sugar.html> ews.com/sugar.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/sugar.html%3esugar> ews.com/sugar.html%3esugar> >sugar in the blood. Glucose (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream as a result of the body's inability to produce < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/insulin.html> ews.com/insulin.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/insulin.html%3einsulin> ews.com/insulin.html%3einsulin> >insulin (which regulates blood/sugar levels) or the inability of insulin in the body to control < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/sugar_levels.html> ews.com/sugar_levels.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/sugar_levels.html%3esugar> ews.com/sugar_levels.html%3esugar> >sugar levels. This is where lipoic acid is of benefit, as studies have shown that lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose (sugar) from the blood in people with diabetes. Lipoic acid functions as a co-factor for a number of important enzymes responsible for the conversion of our < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/food.html> ews.com/food.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/food.html%3efood> ews.com/food.html%3efood> >food to energy, known as Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP). ATP is required to provide energy for cellular function and is the energy source our muscles use for short bursts of power. Over the past few years, the pace of research into lipoic acid has increased dramatically. In 1995, Lester Packer, PhD, a professor of molecular biology at the University of California, Berkeley, published a lengthy review article on alpha-lipoic acid in Free Radical Biology & Medicine (1995;19:227-50). In April 1996, he presented a short review of it in the same journal (FRBM;20:625-6). According to Professor Packer, lipoic acid " could have far-reaching consequences in the search for prevention and therapy of chronic degenerative conditions " . Several studies suggest that treatment with lipoic acid may help reduce pain, burning, itching, tingling, and numbness in people who have nerve damage (called peripheral < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/neuropathy.html> ews.com/neuropathy.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/neuropathy.html%3eneuropathy> ews.com/neuropathy.html%3eneuropathy> >neuropathy) caused by diabetes. Lipoic acid has been used for years for this purpose in Europe. The fact that lipoic acid has a beneficial impact on < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetic_neuropathy.html> ews.com/diabetic_neuropathy.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetic_neuropathy.html%3ediabetic> ews.com/diabetic_neuropathy.html%3ediabetic> >diabetic neuropathy is also supported by other leading doctors in this field such as Dr. Ira D. Goldfine, director, Division of Diabetes & Endocrine Research, Mount Zion Medical Center, University of California San Francisco. However, the current oral formulations of lipoic acid are not of therapeutic value, and typically remain in the blood only a very short time, requiring either multiple daily doses or intravenous infusions. While more clinical studies are needed with controlled-release oral formulations of alpha-lipoic acid, it is already evident that such preparations should be very helpful for < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetics.html> ews.com/diabetics.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetics.html%3ediabetics> ews.com/diabetics.html%3ediabetics> >diabetics suffering from neuropathy. For well over 30 years physicians in Germany have been clinically treating diabetics with lipoic acid and in Germany to date, alpha-lipoic acid is an approved medical treatment for peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes. This is due to the fact that lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose from the bloodstream, at least partly by enhancing insulin function, and it reduces insulin resistance, an underpinning of many cases of coronary heart < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/disease.html> ews.com/disease.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/disease.html%3edisease> ews.com/disease.html%3edisease> >disease and obesity. However, we need to note that the therapeutic dose for lipoic acid is 600 mg/day. In the United States, it is sold as a dietary supplement, usually as 50 mg tablets. In < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/Australia.html> ews.com/Australia.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/Australia.html%3eAustralia> ews.com/Australia.html%3eAustralia> >Australia it is usually 100mg as either S-Alpha Lipoic Acid, a synthetic, or R-S Alpha Lipoic Acid, a mixture of real and synthetic. Definitely not the therapeutic dose needed to provide the results that the German physicians are accustomed to working with. How to get the best sources? Even though our bodies are capable of manufacturing lipoic acid, we still need to get additional supply from our diet or from supplements. In nature, the richest food source of alpha-lipoic acid is < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/red_meat.html> ews.com/red_meat.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/red_meat.html%3ered> ews.com/red_meat.html%3ered> >red meat, other sources include, < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/spinach.html> ews.com/spinach.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/spinach.html%3espinach> ews.com/spinach.html%3espinach> >spinach, broccoli, yeast (particularly Brewer's yeast), and certain organ meats (such as kidney and heart). The two types of Alpha Lipoic acid Not all lipoic acid supplements are the same; this is the sad bit about this wonderful antioxidant. Most of the Lipoic Acid on the market in Australia is not pure lipoic acid, known as R- Alpha Lipoic Acid. There is a pure R form of lipoic acid on the market but, it is a practitioner product and, you would need to ask for it specifically, otherwise we are wasting our money on the S form of lipoic acid, (S-Alpha Lipoic Acid), which is synthetic. A number of < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/health.html> ews.com/health.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/health.html%3ehealth> ews.com/health.html%3ehealth> >health supplement companies make a mixture of real and synthetic lipoic acid displayed on the label as R,S - Alpha Lipoic Acid. This means that you are buying both the natural and the synthetic form of lipoic in one. The only drawback is that you would not know how much of the R or S is in the formula. As consumers, we have a lot of power in relation to the formulations of the supplements. All it takes is for us to be wiser and more selective. As supply and demand still dictates quality and quantity, if we only choose to use the R form lipoic acid, companies will inevitably succumb to this demand, in order to ensure their sales stay up and not down. When it comes to our health and supplements we deserve the highest and best quality and standards in supplements, otherwise there is no point in taking these supplements as we are not getting what we need! The other advantage of taking the R form only is that we would use a smaller dose; 50 mg of R-Lipoic Acid is equivalent to 100 mg of synthetic lipoic acid. A further advantage is that the body assimilates the R form much more readily than the S form. There is a clear advantage in adding the multi-tasking lipoic acid supplement to our health regime; first, it recycles other antioxidants, the good guys who halt premature ageing as well as degenerative conditions and, secondly, lipoic acid improves < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/blood_sugar.html> ews.com/blood_sugar.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/blood_sugar.html%3eblood> ews.com/blood_sugar.html%3eblood> >blood sugar levels in our blood and energy production in our muscles However, the wonderful advantages from lipoic come only from the R-form. Even if our diet is high in red meat and spinach taking a little extra lipoic acid would prove beneficial for anyone who is active, lives a full life, likes occasional sweets and even if they do not have blood sugar irregularities, having an antioxidant recycling facility in our bodies would be a good start towards wellness and longevity. References < http://www.NaturalN <http://www.NaturalNews.com/006445.html> ews.com/006445.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/006445.html%3ehttp:/www.NaturalNews.com/006445.h > ews.com/006445.html%3ehttp:/www.NaturalNews.com/006445.h tml> >http://www.NaturalN <http://www.NaturalNews.com/006445.html> ews.com/006445.html http://www.nutritio <http://www.nutritionreporter.com/Alpha-...> nreporter.com/Alpha-... < http://www.raysahel <http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.html> ian.com/lipoic.html <http://www.raysahel <http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.html%3ehttp:/www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.h > ian.com/lipoic.html%3ehttp:/www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.h tml> >http://www.raysahel <http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.html> ian.com/lipoic.html Nickander KK, McPhee BR, Low PA, Tritschler H. Alpha-lipoic acid: antioxidant potency against lipid peroxidation of neural tissues in vitro and implications for < http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetic.html> ews.com/diabetic.html <http://www.naturaln <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetic.html%3ediabetic> ews.com/diabetic.html%3ediabetic> >diabetic neuropathy. Free Rad Biol Med. 1996; 21:631-639. Packer L, Witt EH, Tritschler, HJ. Alpha-lipoic as a biological antioxidant. Free Rad Biol Med. 1995; 19:227-250. Wagh SS, Natraj CV, Menon KKG. Mode of action of lipoic acid in diabetes. J Biosci. 1987; 11:59-74. Ziegler D, Hanefeld M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A three-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN study). Diabetologia. 1995; 38:1425-1433. Nagamatsu, M., et al. " Lipoic acid improves nerve blood flow, reduces oxidative stress and improves distal nerve conduction in experimental diabetic neuropathy. " Diabetes Care, 18: 1160-67, 1995. < http://www.umm. <http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/AlphaLipoicAcidcs.html> edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/AlphaLipoicAcidcs.html <http://www.umm. <http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/AlphaLipoicAcidcs.html%3ehttp:/ww > edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/AlphaLipoicAcidcs.html%3ehttp:/ww w.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplemen> >http://www.umm. <http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplemen...> edu/altmed/ConsSupplemen... About the author Teya Skae M.A., B.A.,Dip Health Sciences, Dip Clinical Nutrition Kinesiologist/Nutritionist/Writer Health/Life Coach and Educator Teya is the founder of Empowered Living < <http://www.empowere <http://www.empowered-living.com.au%3ewww.empowered-living.com.au> d-living.com.au%3ewww.empowered-living.com.au> Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. specialising in Neurologically Balancing busy people for chronic fatigue, corporate burnout, physical/emotional stress, Emotional Freedom Technique to resolve energy blocks, Metabolic Typing Nutrition and Results Fat Loss. Teya writes article for various publications and runs empowering educational courses in the area of balancing your health, physical body,emotions, and how to have more energy to enjoy your Life! R Alpha Lipoic Acid < http://www.advance- <http://www.advance-health.com/rlipoicacid.html> health.com/rlipoicacid.html <http://www.advance- <http://www.advance-health.com/rlipoicacid.html%3ehttp:/www.advance-health.c > health.com/rlipoicacid.html%3ehttp:/www.advance-health.c om/rlipoicacid.html> >http://www.advance- <http://www.advance-health.com/rlipoicacid.html> health.com/rlipoicacid.html What is R Alpha Lipoic Acid and Alpha Lipoic Acid? Alpha Lipoic acid is a natural substance found in certain foods and also produced in the human body. Alpha Lipoic acid is a disulfide compound found naturally in mitochondria as the coenzyme for pyruvate dehydrogenase and a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a unique, vitamin-like antioxidant which exists in two forms, R-alpha-lipoic acid and S-alpha-lipoic acid. These two forms contain the same number and composition of atoms but have different arrangements of the atoms in their respective molecules. Natural lipoic acid is R Alpha lipoic acid. Synthetic lipoic acid contains a 50/50 mixture of the two forms. Studies with the mixture demonstrated beneficial effects in treating a number of diseases and conditions. More recent research has shown that the R Alpha Lipoic acid alone is far more effective than S Alpha Lipoic acid or the mixture. Recently, pure R Alpha Lipoic acid has become available as a nutritional supplement. R Alpha Lipoic Acid as an Antioxidant R Alpha Lipoic acid is regarded by many as the supreme antioxidant. R-Lipoic acid is unique in that it functions as both a fat and water-soluble antioxidant that can easily cross cell membranes. Thus, it can confer free radical protection to both interior and exterior cellular structures. Vitamin E is a potent biological antioxidant that acts to stabilize highly reactive free radicals in lipid (fatty) tissues and cell membranes. In the process of quenching fatty free radicals, vitamin E becomes a free radical itself. The vitamin E radical is then regenerated by vitamin C (ascorbic acid). This process recycles vitamin E from a radical back into an antioxidant again, but results in the formation of a new free radical in the form of unstable vitamin C. Vitamin C is next recycled by glutathione. Up to this point vitamins E, C and glutathione work in concert to control free radicals and prevent cellular damage. But this is also an important stage where the antioxidant regeneration cycle runs into a limiting factor determined by the availability of glutathione. The concentration of these key antioxidants, vitamins E,C and glutathione diminishes with age and the individual becomes more susceptible to oxidative damage and inflammation. Cell membrane integrity, the immune system, organs and DNA integrity all go down hill as antioxidants diminish. Glutathione is an important free-radical deactivator. Cellular glutathione levels are considered by many life extension experts to be the single best predictor of how long an individual will live. Glutathione also plays a vital role in protecting against cataract formation, enhancing immune function, preventing liver damage, slowing the initiation of cancers and eliminating heavy metals. Glutathione is quickly depleted when the body experiences high levels of oxidative stress from causes such as illness, infection, trauma, medication, environmental toxins and surgery. Glutathione deficiency is also associated with low protein intake, diabetes, liver disease, cataracts, HIV infection, respiratory distress syndrome, cancer, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. R-Lipoic acid boosts glutathione levels. Alpha lipoic acid enhances glutathione (GSH) levels. Glutathione is the most important water-soluble antioxidant and is linked to detoxification of xenobiotics, modulation of signal transduction, prostaglandin metabolism, regulation of immune response, control of enzyme activity and peptide hormones, etc. The availability of the amino acid Cysteine is known as the rate-limiting factor in glutathione synthesis. Lipoic acid is taken up rapidly by the cell and reduced to DHLA, which in turn reduces cystine to cysteine and accelerates the biosynthesis of GSH. In summary, R Lipoic Acid acts as a potent anti-oxidant on its own, serves to regenerate other anti-oxidants like vitamin E, Vitamin C and glutathione, and increases the production of glutathione. R Alpha Lipoic acid for Improving Mitocondrial Function The mitochondria are structures inside each individual cell that produce the energy that the cell needs to function. The mitochondria are analagous to an engine, boiler room or furnace. As the cells age, the activity of the mitochondria decreases, resulting in lower energy production, slower metabolism and and increased oxidative stress and damage. Clinical studies with rats have demonstrated that supplementation with R Alpha Lipoic acid improved mitocondrial function, increases metabolic rate and decreases oxidative damage. Ambulatory activity, a measure of general metabolic activity was almost threefold lower in untreated rats compared to treated rats. The decline was reversed in old rats fed R Alpha Lipoic Acid. R Alpha Lipoic Acid as a Chelating Agent Studies with rats and mice have shown that R Alpha Lipoic Acid provided protection against the toxic effects of arsenic, cadmium and mercury. It may also bind to other metals including iron, copper and zinc. The chelating action of R Alpha Lipoic Acid is considered to be relatively weak compared to other chelating agents. Some of the harmful effects of heavy metal poisoning are associated with oxidative damage. In addition, lipoic acid's antioxidant properties reduce the harmful effects of heavy metals. Reduction of Aging from Glycation by R Alpha Lipoic Acid Glycation is the formation of chemical bonds between protein molecules and glucose. This process impairs the physiological function of those proteins and contributes to the effects of aging and many disease processes, especially those associated with diabetes. These sugar-damaged proteins are referred to as advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs). AGEs increase with the length of hyperglycemia and are thought to be responsible for the kidney damage and advanced atherosclerosis seen in diabetes. Researchers have found that noncovalent binding of alpha-lipoic acid to albumin protected proteins against glycation. Thus R Alpha Lipoic Acid acts as an anti-aging nutrient by both its anti-oxidant properties and its anti glycation properties. Clinical Uses for R Alpha Lipoic Acid Large amounts of free radicals are created in tissue that has been injured by trauma or ischemia. Ischemia is caused by low oxygen levels from blood clots, stroke, etc. Treatment of this type of injury with anti-oxidants could be expected to reduce the effects of the damage. These types of injuries include heart attack, stroke, burns, sprains, strains, contusions, etc. The treatment of some of these entities with alpha lipoic acid have been documented in the literature and some have not. Because alpha lipoic acid helps to conserve and increase production of glutathione, it may be beneficial in treating certain diseases that affect the liver. These include exposure to various toxins, alcoholic liver disease, aminita mushroom poisoning, hepatitis, etc. Alpha lipoic acid is beneficial to individuals with type II diabetes. First, it improved the overall control of blood sugar and reduced blood sugar and insulin levels. Second, its anti-oxidant and anti-glycation effects reduce the damage caused by high blood sugar levels. Perhaps the best use of r alpha lipoic acid is as a life extension nutrient. It acts as an anti-oxidant, anti-glycation agent, blood sugar normalizer, mitochondria activator and glutathione enhancer. All of these effects counter the effects of aging, increase energy and enhance the quality of life. Dosage of R Alpha Lipoic Acid As a nutritional supplement, doses of 50 to 100 mg. per day are generally recommended. As a Therapeutic agent, higher doses may be used. In Germay, dosages of 600 mg. per day are prescribed for preventing the damaging effects of hyperglycemia in diabetes. Larger doses, 1200 mg. given intravenously, have been used to treat aminita mushroom poisoning. R Alpha Lipoic Acid Side Effects and Precautions Clinical research has shown no evidence of carcinogenic effects with administration of alpha lipoic acid. Serious side effects have not been observed, even at high doses. Minor side effects include skin reactions and gastrointestinal effects, such as nausea and vomiting. However, these effects have only been observed in a small percentage of subjects who received intravenous infusions of 1,200 mg or more of alpha lipoic acid per day. Alpha Lipoic Acid supplementation may reduce glucose and insulin levels in diabetics. Diabetics taking insulin or glucose lowering drugs will have to monitor their sugar levels and adjust medication as needed. Diabetics taking alpha lipoic acid supplements should work with their physician to monitor and and adjust any medication that they may be using. There is a lack of available data regarding use of alpha lipoic acid during pregnancy. During more than three decades of scientific research and clinical usage no serious adverse effects have been reported as a consequence of alpha lipoic acid supplementation. The LD50 is approximately 400-500 mg/kg after oral dosing in dogs. High doses of alpha lipoic acid should be accompanied ty thiamine administration. An experiment done with rats showed that administration of alpha lipoic acid in extremely high doses (20 mg./kg) in the presence of a thiamine deficiency proved fatal. It would probably be beneficial to include a B-complex supplement in a regimen containing alpha lipoic acid. Where to Get R Alpha Lipoic Acid To order Alpha Lipoic Acid or R Alpha Lipoic Acid from Vitamin Research Products, < http://www.vrp. <http://www.vrp.com/index.aspx?vMBR=238900> com/index.aspx?vMBR=238900 <http://www.vrp. <http://www.vrp.com/index.aspx?vMBR=238900 & vPORT=ECART & vNAV=YES & vITM=3451,34 > com/index.aspx?vMBR=238900 & vPORT=ECART & vNAV=YES & vITM=3451,34 55,3453%3eCLICK> & vPORT=ECART & vNAV=YES & vITM=3451,3455,3453>CLICK HERE References 1. LJ, DeBusk BG, Gunsalus IC, et al. Crystalline alpha-lipoic acid: a catalytic agent associated with pyruvate dehydrogenase. Science 1951;114:93-94. 2. Carreau JP. Biosynthesis of lipoic acid via unsaturated fatty acids. Meth Enzmol 1979;62:152-158. <3. Dupre S, Spoto G, Materese RM, et al. Biosynthesis of alpha-lipoic acid in the rat: Incorporation of S- and C-labeled precursors. Arch Biochem Biophys 1980;202:361-365. 4. Packer L, Witt EH, Tritschler HJ. Alpha-lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant. Free Rad Biol Med 1995;19:227-250. 5. Rosenburg HR, Culik R. Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on vitamin C and vitamin E deficiencies. Arch Biochem Biophys 1959;80:86-93. 6. Podda M, Tritschler HJ, Ulrich H, Packer L. Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation prevents symptoms of vitamin E deficiency. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1994;204:98-104. 7. Xu DP, Wells WW. alpha-lipoic acid dependent regeneration of ascorbic acid from dehydroascorbic acid in rat liver mitochondria. J Bioenerg Biomembr 1996;28:77-85. 8. Scholich H, ME, Sies H. Antioxidant activity of dihydrolipoate against microsomal lipid peroxidation and its dependence on a-tocopherol. Biochem Biophys Acta 1989;1001:256-261. 9. Busse E, Zimmer G, Schopohl B, et al. Influence of alpha-lipoic acid on intracellular glutathione in vitro and in vivo. Arzneimittel-Forschung 1992;42:829-831. <10. Kagan V, Serbinova E, Packer L. Antioxidant effects of ubiquinones in microsomes and mitochondria are mediated by tocopherol recycling. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 1990;169:851-857. 11. Passwater RA. Lipoic Acid: The Metabolic Antioxidant. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc; 1995:1-47. 12. BC, Arouma OI, PJ, et al. Lipoic and dihydrolipoic acid as antioxidants: a critical evaluation. Free Rad Res 1994;20:119-133. 13. Suzuki YJ, Tsuchiya M, Packer L. Thiotic acid and dihydrolipoic acid are novel antioxidants which interact with reactive oxygen species. Free Rad Res Comms 1991;15:255-263. 14. Sandhya P, Mohandass S, Varalakshmi P. Role of DL alpha-lipoic acid in gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity. Mol Cell Biochem 1995;145:11-17. 15. Sigel H, Prijs B, McCormick DB, Shih JCH. Stability of binary and ternary complexes of alpha-lipoate and lipoate derivatives with Mn2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ in solution. Arch Biochem Biophys 1978;187:208-214. 16. Devasagayam TP, Subramanian M, Pradhan DS, Sies H. Prevention of singlet oxygen induced DNA damage by lipoate. Chem-Biol Interations 1993;86:79-92. 17. Bast A, Haenen GR. Interplay between lipoic acid and glutathione in the protection against microsomal lipid peroxidation. Biochem Biophys Acta 1988;963:558-561. 18. Grunert RR. The effect of DL alpha-lipoic acid on heavy-metal intoxication in mice and dogs. Arch Biochem Biophys 1960;86:190-194. 19. Ou P, Tritschler HJ, Wolff SP. Thioctic (lipoic) acid: a therapeutic metal-chelating antioxidant? Biochem Pharmacol 1995;50:123-126. 20. Muller L, Menzel H. Studies on the efficacy of lipoate and dihydrolipoate in the alteration of cadmium toxicity in isolated hepatocytes. Biochem Biophys Acta 1990;1052:386-391. 21. Sumathi R, Baskaran G, Varalakshmi P. Relationship between glutathione and DL alpha-lipoic acid against cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity. Jpn J Med Sci Biol 1996;49:39-48. 22. Sumathi R, Devi VK, Varalakshmi P. DL alpha-lipoic acid protection against cadmium-induced tissue lipid peroxidation. Med Sci Res 1994;22:23-25. 23. RL, Setiarahardjo I, Q, et al. Utilization of renal slices to evaluate the efficacy of chelating agents for removing mercury from the kidney. Toxicology 1997;116:67-75. 24. Gregus Z, Stein AF, Varga F. Effect of lipoic acid on biliary excretion of glutathione and metals. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1992;114:88-96. 25. Strodter D, Lehmann E, Lehmann U, et al. The influence of thioctic acid on metabolism and function of the diabetic heart. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 1995;29:19-26. 26. Estrada DE, Ewart HS, Tsakiridis T, et al. Stimulation of glucose uptake by the natural coenzyme alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid: participation of elements of the insulin signaling pathway. Diabetes 1996;45:1798-1804. 27. Faust A, Burkart V, Ulrich H et al. Effect of lipoic acid on cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes and insulitis in nonobese diabetic mice. Int J Immunopharmac 1994;16:61-66. 28. Henricksen EJ, S, Tritschler HJ, et al. Chronic thioctic treatment increases insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity in skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats. Diabetes 1994;Supplement 1:122A [abstract]. 29. Kawabata T, Packer L. Alpha-lipoate can protect against glycation of serum albumin, but not low density lipoprotein. Biochem Biophys Res Comms 1994;203:99-104. 30. S, Henriksen EJ, Schiemann AL, et al. Enhancement of glucose disposal in patients with type 2 diabetes by alpha-lipoic acid. Arzneimittel-Forschung 1995;45:872-874. 31. S, Henriksen EJ, Tritschler HJ, et al. Improvement of insulin-stimulated glucose-disposal in type 2 diabetes after repeated parenteral administration of thioctic acid. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1996;104:284-288. 32. Garrett NE, Malcangio M, Dewhurst M, Tomlinson DR. alpha-lipoic acid corrects neuropeptide deficits in diabetic rats via induction of trophic support. Neurosci Lett 1997;222:191-194. 33. Nagamatsu M, Nickander KK, Schmelzer JD. Lipoic acid improves nerve blood flow, reduces oxidative stress, and improves distal nerve conduction in experimental diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic Care 1995;18:1160-1166. 34. Ziegler D, Hanefield M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A 3-week multicenter randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study). Diabetologia 1995;38:1425-1433. 35. Kehler W, Kuklinski B, Ruhlmann C, Plotz C. Diabetes mellitus-a free radical associated disease: Effects of adjuvant supplementation of antioxidants. In: Gries FA, Wessel K, eds. The role of antioxidants in diabetes mellitus: Oxygen radicals and anti-oxidants in diabetes. furt am Maine: pmi. Verl-Gruppe; 1993:33-53. 36. Ou P, Nourooz-Zadeh J, Tritschler HJ, Wolff SP. Activation of aldose reductase in rat lens and metal-ion chelation by aldose reductase inhibitors and lipoic acid. Free Radic Res 1996;25:337-346. 37. Maitra I, Serbinova E, Tritschler HJ, Packer L. Alpha-lipoic acid prevents buthionine sulfoximine-induced cataract formation in newborn rats. Free Radic Biol Med 1995;18:823-829. 38. Maitra I, Serbinova E, Tritschler HJ, Packer L. Stereospecific effects of R-lipoic acid on buthionine sulfoximine-induced cataract formation in newborn rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1996;221:422-429. 39. Filina AA, Davydova NG, Endrikhovskii SN, et al. Lipoic acid as a means of metabolic therapy of open-angle glaucoma. Vestn Oftalmol 1995;111:6-8. 40. Scheer B, Zimmer G. Dihydrolipoic acid prevents hypoxic/reoxygenation and peroxidative damage in rat mitochondria. Arch Biochem Biophys 1993;302:385-390. 41. Assadnazari H, Zimmer G, Freisleben HJ, et al. Cardioprotective efficiency of dihydrolipoic acid in working rat hearts during hypoxia and reoxygenation. P nuclear magnetic resonance investigations. Arzneimittel-Forschung 1993;43:425-432. 42. Prehn JH, Karkoutly C, Nuglisch J, et al. Dihydrolipoate reduces neuronal injury after cerebral ischemia. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 1992;12:78-87. 43. Wolz P, Krieglstein J. Neuroprotective effects of alpha-lipoic acid and its enantiomers demonstrated in rodent models of focal cerebral ischemia. Neuropharmacology 1996;35:369-375. 44. Panigrahi M, Sadguna Y, Shivakumar BR, et al. alpha-lipoic acid protects against reperfusion injury following cerebral ischemia in rats. Brain Res 1996;717:184-188. 45. Cao X, Phillis JW. The free radical scavenger, alpha-lipoic acid, protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils. Free Rad Res 1995;23:365-70. 46. Haramaki N, Assadnazari H, Zimmer G, et al. The influence of vitamin E and dihydrolipoic acid on cardiac energy and glutathione status under hypoxia-reoxygenation. Biochem Mol Biol Int 1995;37:591-597. 47. Bartter FC, Berkson B, Gallelli J, et al. Thiotic acid in the treatment of poisoning with alpha-amanitin. In: Faulstich H, Kommerell B, Wieland T, eds. Amanita Toxins and Poisoning. Badan-Baden. Verlg Gerhard Witzstrock; 1980:197-202. 48. Nagy I, Pogatsa-Murray G, Zalanyi S Jr, et al. Amanita poisoning during the second trimester of pregnancy. A case report and a review of the literature. Clin Investig 1994;72:794-798. 49. Sabeel AI, Kurkus J, Lindholm T. Intensive hemodialysis and hemoperfusion treatment of Amanita mushroom poisoning. Mycopathologia 1995;131:107-114. 50. Gal EM. Reversal of selective toxicity of (-)-alpha-lipoic acid by thiamine in thiamine-deficient rats. Nature 1965;207:535. 51. Gregus Z, Fekete T, Halaszi E, Klaassen CD. Lipoic acid impairs glycine conjugation of benzoic acid and renal excretion of benzoylglycine. Drug Metab Dispos 1996;24:682-688. 52. Packer L, Tritschler HJ, Wessel K. Neuroprotection by the metabolic antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. Free Radic Biol Med 1997;22(1-2):359-78. 53. L. Packer, E.H.Witt, H.J. Tritschler, Free Rad Biol and Med 1995; 19: 227-250. 54. Lykkesfeldt J, Hagen TM, Vinarsky V, Ames BN. Age-associated decline in ascorbic acid concentration, recycling, and biosynthesis in rat hepatocytes--reversal with ®-alpha-lipoic acid supplementation. FASEB J 1998 Sep;12(12):1183-9. 55. Liu J, Atamna H, Kuratsune H, Ames BN. Delaying brain mitochondrial decay and aging with mitochondrial antioxidants and metabolites. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2002 Apr;959:133-66. 56. Liu J, Head E, Gharib AM, Yuan W, Ingersoll RT, Hagen TM, Cotman CW, Ames BN. Memory loss in old rats is associated with brain mitochondrial decay and RNA/DNA oxidation: partial reversal by feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and/or R-alpha -lipoic acid. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2002 Feb 19;99(4):2356-61. 57. Hagen TM, Liu J, Lykkesfeldt J, Wehr CM, Ingersoll RT, Vinarsky V, Bartholomew JC, Ames BN. Feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid to old rats significantly improves metabolic function while decreasing oxidative stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2002 Feb 19;99(4):1870-5. 58. Hofmann M, Mainka P, Tritschler H, Fuchs J, Zimmer G. Decrease of red cell membrane fluidity and -SH groups due to hyperglycemic conditions is counteracted by alpha-lipoic acid. Arch Biochem Biophys 1995 Dec 1;324(1):85-92. 59. Haramaki N, Assadnazari H, Zimmer G, Schepkin V, Packer L. The influence of vitamin E and dihydrolipoic acid on cardiac energy and glutathione status under hypoxia-reoxygenation. Biochem Mol Biol Int 1995 Oct;37(3):591-7. 9. Zimmer G, Beikler TK, Schneider M, Ibel J, Tritschler H, Ulrich H. Dose/response curves of lipoic acid R-and S-forms in the working rat heart during reoxygenation: superiority of the R-enantiomer in enhancement of aortic flow. J Mol Cell Cardiol 1995 Sep;27(9):1895-903. 60. Haramaki N, Packer L, Assadnazari H, Zimmer G. Cardiac recovery during post-ischemic reperfusion is improved by combination of vitamin E with dihydrolipoic acid. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1993 Nov 15;196(3):1101-7. 61. Moini, H., Tirosh, O., R-Alpha Lipoic Acid Action on Cell Redox Status, the Insulin Receptor, and Glucose Uptake in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes; Archives of Biochem & BioPhys 397, No2 384-391 (2002). 62. Liu, J. Killilea, D.W. et.al., Age-associated mitochondrial oxidative decay: Improvement of carnitine acetyltransferase substrate binding affinity and activity in brain by feeding old rats acetyl-L-carnitine and/or R-alpha-lipoic acid. Proc Nat Acad Sci 99, 1876-1881 (2002). 63. Hager, K., Marahrens, A.,et.al. Alpha lipoic acid as a new treatment option for Alzheimer type dementia, Arch Geron Geriatr 32 (3): 275-282 (2001). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 I have used ALA in the past and I have some on hand now. I cannot tell if it helps me or not. The kind of ALA I have is not cheap and it is not extremely expensive either, but I have taken it regularly for around three months in the past, and I can tell no difference as to whether it helps me or not. So I no longer use it. Harry and Hi, This came from another list but it does sound interesting. Anyone know anything about it? to be Alpha Lipoic Acid- ALA- ALA is not to be confused with the alpha-linolenic acid (also called ALA) found in flax, canola oil and walnuts. Lipoic acid, or thioctic acid is slowly being recognized for its ability to assist the body in a number of significant energy production and physiological functions. For this reason it deserves the title of a multi-tasking supplement.Let's have a look at why.Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is naturally produced in the body; hence, it is often called a metabolic antioxidant. First discovered in the 1930's, it was not until the 1950's that researchers began to take an interest in lipoic acid as a serious supplement. As a result of these studies, lipoic acid was labeled a 'universal' antioxidant. Why? Because it helps to recycle other important antioxidants such as, vitamin C and E, in the body. Remember, antioxidants are the good guys that assist the body from oxidizing too much and too quickly, due to over production of free radicals - a very common physiological phenomena that results from stress, metabolic wastes and physical exercise. As we know, too much free radical damage causes inflammation, heart disease and premature aging. The only way to halt this process is to ensure the body has plenty of bioavailable antioxidants to counteract the free radical damage.What is so special about Lipoic Acid?Unlike other antioxidants which are either fat soluble or water soluble, lipoic acid simultaneously acts as both a fat and a water-soluble antioxidant in the body. This allows it to be easily absorbed and transported across cell membranes. This unique quality of lipoic acid offers protection against free radicals both inside and outside the cell, whereas other antioxidants only provide protection outside the cells and not inside, where a lot of action takes place.In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid helps the body use glucose; hence, it is useful in lowering blood sugar levels and in the management of diabetes.Diabetes Mellitus is a degenerative condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood. Glucose (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream as a result of the body's inability to produce insulin (which regulates blood/sugar levels) or the inability o f insulin in the body to control sugar levels.This is where lipoic acid is of benefit, as studies have shown that lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose (sugar) from the blood in people with diabetes.Lipoic acid functions as a co-factor for a number of important enzymes responsible for the conversion of our food to energy, known as Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP). ATP is required to provide energy for cellular function and is the energy source our muscles use for short bursts of power.Over the past few years, the pace of research into lipoic acid has increased dramatically. In 1995, Lester Packer, PhD, a professor of molecular biology at the University of California, Berkeley, published a lengthy review article on alpha-lipoic acid in Free Radical Biology & Medicine (1995;19:227-50). In April 1996, he presented a short review of it in the same journal (FRBM;20:625-6).According to Professor Packer, lipoic acid " could have far-reaching consequences in the search for prevention and t herapy of chronic degenerative conditions " .Several studies suggest that treatment with lipoic acid may help reduce pain, burning, itching, tingling, and numbness in people who have nerve damage (called peripheral neuropathy) caused by diabetes. Lipoic acid has been used for years for this purpose in Europe.The fact that lipoic acid has a beneficial impact on diabetic neuropathy is also supported by other leading doctors in this field such as Dr. Ira D. Goldfine, director, Division of Diabetes & Endocrine Research, Mount Zion Medical Center, University of California San Francisco. However, the current oral formulations of lipoic acid are not of therapeutic value, and typically remain in the blood only a very short time, requiring either multiple daily doses or intravenous infusions. While more clinical studies are needed with controlled-release oral formulations of alpha-lipoic acid, it is already evident that such preparations should be very helpful for diabetics suffering from neuropathy.For well over 30 years physicians in Germany have been clinically treating diabetics with lipoic acid and in Germany to date, alpha-lipoic acid is an approved medical treatment for peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes. This is due to the fact that lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose from the bloodstream, at least partly by enhancing insulin function, and it reduces insulin resistance, an underpinning of many cases of coronary heart disease and obesity. However, we need to note that the therapeutic dose for lipoic acid is 600 mg/day. In the United States, it is sold as a dietary supplement, usually as 50 mg tablets. In Australia it is usually 100mg as either S-Alpha Lipoic Acid, a synthetic, or R-S Alpha Lipoic Acid, a mixture of real and synthetic. Definitely not the therapeutic dose needed to provide the results that the German physicians are accustomed to working with.How to get the best sources?Even though our bodies are capable of manufacturing lipoic acid, we still need to get additional supply from our diet or from supplements. In nature, the richest food source of alpha-lipoic acid is red meat, other sources include, spinach, broccoli, yeast (particularly Brewer's yeast), and certain organ meats (such as kidney and heart).The two types of Alpha Lipoic acidNot all lipoic acid supplements are the same; this is the sad bit about this wonderful antioxidant. Most of the Lipoic Acid on the market in Australia is not pure lipoic acid, known as R- Alpha Lipoic Acid. There is a pure R form of lipoic acid on the market but, it is a practitioner product and, you would need to ask for it specifically, otherwise we are wasting our money on the S form of lipoic acid, (S-Alpha Lipoic Acid), which is synthetic. A number of health supplement companies make a mixture of real and synthetic lipoic acid displayed on the label as R,S - Alpha Lipoic Acid. This means that you are buying both the natural and the synthetic form of lipoic in one. The only drawback is that you would not know how much of the R or S is in the formula.As consumers, we have a lot of power in relation to the formulations of the supplements. All it takes is for us to be wiser and more selective. As supply and demand still dictates quality and quantity, if we only choose to use the R form lipoic acid, companies will inevitably succumb to this demand, in order to ensure their sales stay up and not down. When it comes to our health and supplements we deserve the highest and best quality and standards in supplements, otherwise there is no point in taking these supplements as we are not getting what we need!The other advantage of taking the R form only is that we would use a smaller dose; 50 mg of R-Lipoic Acid is equivalent to 100 mg of synthetic lipoic acid. A further advantage is that the body assimilates the R form much more readily than the S form.There is a clear advantage in adding the multi-tasking lipoic acid supplement to our health regime; first, it recycles other antioxidants, the good guys who halt premature ageing as well as degenerative conditions and, secondly, lipoic acid improves blood sugar levels in our blood and energy production in our muscles However, the wonderful advantages from lipoic come only from the R-form. Even if our diet is high in red meat and spinach taking a little extra lipoic acid would prove beneficial for anyone who is active, lives a full life, likes occasional sweets and even if they do not have blood sugar irregularities, having an antioxidant recycling facility in our bodies would be a good start towards wellness and longevity.Referenceshttp://www.NaturalNews.com/006445.htmlhttp://www.nutriti onreporter.com/Alpha-...http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.htmlNickander KK, McPhee BR, Low PA, Tritschler H. Alpha-lipoic acid: antioxidant potency against lipid peroxidation of neural tissues in vitro and implications for diabetic neuropathy. Free Rad Biol Med. 1996; 21:631-639.Packer L, Witt EH, Tritschler, HJ. Alpha-lipoic as a biological antioxidant. Free Rad Biol Med. 1995; 19:227-250.Wagh SS, Natraj CV, Menon KKG. Mode of action of lipoic acid in diabetes. J Biosci. 1987; 11:59-74.Ziegler D, Hanefeld M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A three-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN study). Diabetologia. 1995; 38:1425-1433.Nagamatsu, M., et al. " Lipoic acid improves nerve blood flow, reduces oxidative stress and improves distal nerve conduction in experimental diabetic neuropathy. " Diabetes Care, 18: 1160-67, 1995.http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplemen... Alpha Lipoic Acid: The Multi-Tasking Supplement < http://www.naturalnews.com/025150.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/025150.html%3ehttp:/www.naturalnews.com/025150.h tml> >http://www.naturalnews.com/025150.html Tuesday, December 23, 2008 by: Teya Skae, citizen journalist <Author137.htm>See all articles by this author < http://www.naturalnews.com/contactauthor.asp?ID=137 <http://www.naturalnews.com/contactauthor.asp?ID=137 & Token=0 & Title=Alpha%20L ipoic%20Acid:%20%20The%20Multi-Tasking%20Supplement%3eEmail> & Token=0 & Title=Alpha%20Lipoic%20Acid:%20%20The%20Multi-Tasking%20Supplement> Email this author Articles Related to This Article: . < http://www.NaturalNews.com/025095.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/025095.html%3eLipoic> >Lipoic Acid Leads the Pack of Antioxidants that Protect Youth and Slow Aging . < http://www.NaturalNews.com/023318.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/023318.html%3eAntioxidant> >Antioxidant Blend May Offer Protection in Life Threatening Conditions . < http://www.NaturalNews.com/023098.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/023098.html%3eAntioxidant> >Antioxidant Blends May Offer Protection in Life Threatening Conditions (NaturalNews) If there is one highly competent, yet underrated supplement, it would have to be Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). ALA is not to be confused with the alpha-linolenic acid (also called ALA) found in flax, canola oil and walnuts. Lipoic acid, or thioctic acid is slowly being recognized for its ability to assist the body in a number of significant energy production and physiological functions. For this reason it deserves the title of a multi-tasking supplement. Let's have a look at why. Lipoic acid is an < http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxidant.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxidant.html%3eantioxidant> >antioxidant that is naturally produced in the body; hence, it is often called a metabolic antioxidant. First discovered in the 1930's, it was not until the 1950's that researchers began to take an interest in lipoic acid as a serious supplement. As a result of these studies, lipoic acid was labeled a 'universal' antioxidant. Why? Because it helps to recycle other important < http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxidants.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxidants.html%3eantioxidants> >antioxidants such as, vitamin C and E, in the body. Remember, antioxidants are the good guys that assist the body from oxidizing too much and too quickly, due to over production of < http://www.naturalnews.com/free_radicals.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/free_radicals.html%3efree> >free radicals - a very common physiological phenomena that results from stress, metabolic wastes and physical exercise. As we know, too much free radical damage causes inflammation, < http://www.naturalnews.com/heart_disease.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/heart_disease.html%3eheart> >heart disease and premature aging. The only way to halt this process is to ensure the body has plenty of bioavailable antioxidants to counteract the free radical damage. What is so special about Lipoic Acid? Unlike other antioxidants which are either fat soluble or water soluble, lipoic acid simultaneously acts as both a fat and a water-soluble antioxidant in the body. This allows it to be easily absorbed and transported across cell membranes. This unique quality of lipoic acid offers protection against free radicals both inside and outside the cell, whereas other antioxidants only provide protection outside the cells and not inside, where a lot of action takes place. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid helps the body use < http://www.naturalnews.com/glucose.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/glucose.html%3eglucose> >glucose ; hence, it is useful in lowering < http://www.naturalnews.com/blood_sugar_levels.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/blood_sugar_levels.html%3eblood> >blood sugar levels and in the management of < http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetes.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetes.html%3ediabetes> >diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus is a degenerative condition associated with abnormally high levels of < http://www.naturalnews.com/sugar.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/sugar.html%3esugar> >sugar in the blood. Glucose (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream as a result of the body's inability to produce < http://www.naturalnews.com/insulin.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/insulin.html%3einsulin> >insulin (which regulates blood/sugar levels) or the inability of insulin in the body to control < http://www.naturalnews.com/sugar_levels.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/sugar_levels.html%3esugar> >sugar levels. This is where lipoic acid is of benefit, as studies have shown that lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose (sugar) from the blood in people with diabetes. Lipoic acid functions as a co-factor for a number of important enzymes responsible for the conversion of our < http://www.naturalnews.com/food.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/food.html%3efood> >food to energy, known as Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP). ATP is required to provide energy for cellular function and is the energy source our muscles use for short bursts of power. Over the past few years, the pace of research into lipoic acid has increased dramatically. In 1995, Lester Packer, PhD, a professor of molecular biology at the University of California, Berkeley, published a lengthy review article on alpha-lipoic acid in Free Radical Biology & Medicine (1995;19:227-50). In April 1996, he presented a short review of it in the same journal (FRBM;20:625-6). According to Professor Packer, lipoic acid " could have far-reaching consequences in the search for prevention and therapy of chronic degenerative conditions " . Several studies suggest that treatment with lipoic acid may help reduce pain, burning, itching, tingling, and numbness in people who have nerve damage (called peripheral < http://www.naturalnews.com/neuropathy.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/neuropathy.html%3eneuropathy> >neuropathy) caused by diabetes. Lipoic acid has been used for years for this purpose in Europe. The fact that lipoic acid has a beneficial impact on < http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetic_neuropathy.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetic_neuropathy.html%3ediabetic> >diabetic neuropathy is also supported by other leading doctors in this field such as Dr. Ira D. Goldfine, director, Division of Diabetes & Endocrine Research, Mount Zion Medical Center, University of California San Francisco. However, the current oral formulations of lipoic acid are not of therapeutic value, and typically remain in the blood only a very short time, requiring either multiple daily doses or intravenous infusions. While more clinical studies are needed with controlled-release oral formulations of alpha-lipoic acid, it is already evident that such preparations should be very helpful for < http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetics.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetics.html%3ediabetics> >diabetics suffering from neuropathy. For well over 30 years physicians in Germany have been clinically treating diabetics with lipoic acid and in Germany to date, alpha-lipoic acid is an approved medical treatment for peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes. This is due to the fact that lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose from the bloodstream, at least partly by enhancing insulin function, and it reduces insulin resistance, an underpinning of many cases of coronary heart < http://www.naturalnews.com/disease.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/disease.html%3edisease> >disease and obesity. However, we need to note that the therapeutic dose for lipoic acid is 600 mg/day. In the United States, it is sold as a dietary supplement, usually as 50 mg tablets. In < http://www.naturalnews.com/Australia.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/Australia.html%3eAustralia> >Australia it is usually 100mg as either S-Alpha Lipoic Acid, a synthetic, or R-S Alpha Lipoic Acid, a mixture of real and synthetic. Definitely not the therapeutic dose needed to provide the results that the German physicians are accustomed to working with. How to get the best sources? Even though our bodies are capable of manufacturing lipoic acid, we still need to get additional supply from our diet or from supplements. In nature, the richest food source of alpha-lipoic acid is < http://www.naturalnews.com/red_meat.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/red_meat.html%3ered> >red meat, other sources include, < http://www.naturalnews.com/spinach.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/spinach.html%3espinach> >spinach, broccoli, yeast (particularly Brewer's yeast), and certain organ meats (such as kidney and heart). The two types of Alpha Lipoic acid Not all lipoic acid supplements are the same; this is the sad bit about this wonderful antioxidant. Most of the Lipoic Acid on the market in Australia is not pure lipoic acid, known as R- Alpha Lipoic Acid. There is a pure R form of lipoic acid on the market but, it is a practitioner product and, you would need to ask for it specifically, otherwise we are wasting our money on the S form of lipoic acid, (S-Alpha Lipoic Acid), which is synthetic. A number of < http://www.naturalnews.com/health.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/health.html%3ehealth> >health supplement companies make a mixture of real and synthetic lipoic acid displayed on the label as R,S - Alpha Lipoic Acid. This means that you are buying both the natural and the synthetic form of lipoic in one. The only drawback is that you would not know how much of the R or S is in the formula. As consumers, we have a lot of power in relation to the formulations of the supplements. All it takes is for us to be wiser and more selective. As supply and demand still dictates quality and quantity, if we only choose to use the R form lipoic acid, companies will inevitably succumb to this demand, in order to ensure their sales stay up and not down. When it comes to our health and supplements we deserve the highest and best quality and standards in supplements, otherwise there is no point in taking these supplements as we are not getting what we need! The other advantage of taking the R form only is that we would use a smaller dose; 50 mg of R-Lipoic Acid is equivalent to 100 mg of synthetic lipoic acid. A further advantage is that the body assimilates the R form much more readily than the S form. There is a clear advantage in adding the multi-tasking lipoic acid supplement to our health regime; first, it recycles other antioxidants, the good guys who halt premature ageing as well as degenerative conditions and, secondly, lipoic acid improves < http://www.naturalnews.com/blood_sugar.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/blood_sugar.html%3eblood> >blood sugar levels in our blood and energy production in our muscles However, the wonderful advantages from lipoic come only from the R-form. Even if our diet is high in red meat and spinach taking a little extra lipoic acid would prove beneficial for anyone who is active, lives a full life, likes occasional sweets and even if they do not have blood sugar irregularities, having an antioxidant recycling facility in our bodies would be a good start towards wellness and longevity. References < http://www.NaturalNews.com/006445.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/006445.html%3ehttp:/www.NaturalNews.com/006445.h tml> >http://www.NaturalNews.com/006445.html http://www.nutritionreporter.com/Alpha-... < http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.html <http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.html%3ehttp:/www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.h tml> >http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.html Nickander KK, McPhee BR, Low PA, Tritschler H. Alpha-lipoic acid: antioxidant potency against lipid peroxidation of neural tissues in vitro and implications for < http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetic.html <http://www.naturalnews.com/diabetic.html%3ediabetic> >diabetic neuropathy. Free Rad Biol Med. 1996; 21:631-639. Packer L, Witt EH, Tritschler, HJ. Alpha-lipoic as a biological antioxidant. Free Rad Biol Med. 1995; 19:227-250. Wagh SS, Natraj CV, Menon KKG. Mode of action of lipoic acid in diabetes. J Biosci. 1987; 11:59-74. Ziegler D, Hanefeld M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A three-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN study). Diabetologia. 1995; 38:1425-1433. Nagamatsu, M., et al. " Lipoic acid improves nerve blood flow, reduces oxidative stress and improves distal nerve conduction in experimental diabetic neuropathy. " Diabetes Care, 18: 1160-67, 1995. < http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/AlphaLipoicAcidcs.html <http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/AlphaLipoicAcidcs.html%3ehttp:/ww w.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplemen> >http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplemen... About the author Teya Skae M.A., B.A.,Dip Health Sciences, Dip Clinical Nutrition Kinesiologist/Nutritionist/Writer Health/Life Coach and Educator Teya is the founder of Empowered Living < <http://www.empowered-living.com.au%3ewww.empowered-living.com.au> Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. specialising in Neurologically Balancing busy people for chronic fatigue, corporate burnout, physical/emotional stress, Emotional Freedom Technique to resolve energy blocks, Metabolic Typing Nutrition and Results Fat Loss. Teya writes article for various publications and runs empowering educational courses in the area of balancing your health, physical body,emotions, and how to have more energy to enjoy your Life! R Alpha Lipoic Acid < http://www.advance-health.com/rlipoicacid.html <http://www.advance-health.com/rlipoicacid.html%3ehttp:/www.advance-health.c om/rlipoicacid.html> >http://www.advance-health.com/rlipoicacid.html What is R Alpha Lipoic Acid and Alpha Lipoic Acid? Alpha Lipoic acid is a natural substance found in certain foods and also produced in the human body. Alpha Lipoic acid is a disulfide compound found naturally in mitochondria as the coenzyme for pyruvate dehydrogenase and a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a unique, vitamin-like antioxidant which exists in two forms, R-alpha-lipoic acid and S-alpha-lipoic acid. These two forms contain the same number and composition of atoms but have different arrangements of the atoms in their respective molecules. Natural lipoic acid is R Alpha lipoic acid. Synthetic lipoic acid contains a 50/50 mixture of the two forms. Studies with the mixture demonstrated beneficial effects in treating a number of diseases and conditions. More recent research has shown that the R Alpha Lipoic acid alone is far more effective than S Alpha Lipoic acid or the mixture. Recently, pure R Alpha Lipoic acid has become available as a nutritional supplement. R Alpha Lipoic Acid as an Antioxidant R Alpha Lipoic acid is regarded by many as the supreme antioxidant. R-Lipoic acid is unique in that it functions as both a fat and water-soluble antioxidant that can easily cross cell membranes. Thus, it can confer free radical protection to both interior and exterior cellular structures. Vitamin E is a potent biological antioxidant that acts to stabilize highly reactive free radicals in lipid (fatty) tissues and cell membranes. In the process of quenching fatty free radicals, vitamin E becomes a free radical itself. The vitamin E radical is then regenerated by vitamin C (ascorbic acid). This process recycles vitamin E from a radical back into an antioxidant again, but results in the formation of a new free radical in the form of unstable vitamin C. Vitamin C is next recycled by glutathione. Up to this point vitamins E, C and glutathione work in concert to control free radicals and prevent cellular damage. But this is also an important stage where the antioxidant regeneration cycle runs into a limiting factor determined by the availability of glutathione. The concentration of these key antioxidants, vitamins E,C and glutathione diminishes with age and the individual becomes more susceptible to oxidative damage and inflammation. Cell membrane integrity, the immune system, organs and DNA integrity all go down hill as antioxidants diminish. Glutathione is an important free-radical deactivator. Cellular glutathione levels are considered by many life extension experts to be the single best predictor of how long an individual will live. Glutathione also plays a vital role in protecting against cataract formation, enhancing immune function, preventing liver damage, slowing the initiation of cancers and eliminating heavy metals. Glutathione is quickly depleted when the body experiences high levels of oxidative stress from causes such as illness, infection, trauma, medication, environmental toxins and surgery. Glutathione deficiency is also associated with low protein intake, diabetes, liver disease, cataracts, HIV infection, respiratory distress syndrome, cancer, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. R-Lipoic acid boosts glutathione levels. Alpha lipoic acid enhances glutathione (GSH) levels. Glutathione is the most important water-soluble antioxidant and is linked to detoxification of xenobiotics, modulation of signal transduction, prostaglandin metabolism, regulation of immune response, control of enzyme activity and peptide hormones, etc. The availability of the amino acid Cysteine is known as the rate-limiting factor in glutathione synthesis. Lipoic acid is taken up rapidly by the cell and reduced to DHLA, which in turn reduces cystine to cysteine and accelerates the biosynthesis of GSH. In summary, R Lipoic Acid acts as a potent anti-oxidant on its own, serves to regenerate other anti-oxidants like vitamin E, Vitamin C and glutathione, and increases the production of glutathione. R Alpha Lipoic acid for Improving Mitocondrial Function The mitochondria are structures inside each individual cell that produce the energy that the cell needs to function. The mitochondria are analagous to an engine, boiler room or furnace. As the cells age, the activity of the mitochondria decreases, resulting in lower energy production, slower metabolism and and increased oxidative stress and damage. Clinical studies with rats have demonstrated that supplementation with R Alpha Lipoic acid improved mitocondrial function, increases metabolic rate and decreases oxidative damage. Ambulatory activity, a measure of general metabolic activity was almost threefold lower in untreated rats compared to treated rats. The decline was reversed in old rats fed R Alpha Lipoic Acid. R Alpha Lipoic Acid as a Chelating Agent Studies with rats and mice have shown that R Alpha Lipoic Acid provided protection against the toxic effects of arsenic, cadmium and mercury. It may also bind to other metals including iron, copper and zinc. The chelating action of R Alpha Lipoic Acid is considered to be relatively weak compared to other chelating agents. Some of the harmful effects of heavy metal poisoning are associated with oxidative damage. In addition, lipoic acid's antioxidant properties reduce the harmful effects of heavy metals. Reduction of Aging from Glycation by R Alpha Lipoic Acid Glycation is the formation of chemical bonds between protein molecules and glucose. This process impairs the physiological function of those proteins and contributes to the effects of aging and many disease processes, especially those associated with diabetes. These sugar-damaged proteins are referred to as advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs). AGEs increase with the length of hyperglycemia and are thought to be responsible for the kidney damage and advanced atherosclerosis seen in diabetes. Researchers have found that noncovalent binding of alpha-lipoic acid to albumin protected proteins against glycation. Thus R Alpha Lipoic Acid acts as an anti-aging nutrient by both its anti-oxidant properties and its anti glycation properties. Clinical Uses for R Alpha Lipoic Acid Large amounts of free radicals are created in tissue that has been injured by trauma or ischemia. Ischemia is caused by low oxygen levels from blood clots, stroke, etc. Treatment of this type of injury with anti-oxidants could be expected to reduce the effects of the damage. These types of injuries include heart attack, stroke, burns, sprains, strains, contusions, etc. The treatment of some of these entities with alpha lipoic acid have been documented in the literature and some have not. Because alpha lipoic acid helps to conserve and increase production of glutathione, it may be beneficial in treating certain diseases that affect the liver. These include exposure to various toxins, alcoholic liver disease, aminita mushroom poisoning, hepatitis, etc. Alpha lipoic acid is beneficial to individuals with type II diabetes. First, it improved the overall control of blood sugar and reduced blood sugar and insulin levels. Second, its anti-oxidant and anti-glycation effects reduce the damage caused by high blood sugar levels. Perhaps the best use of r alpha lipoic acid is as a life extension nutrient. It acts as an anti-oxidant, anti-glycation agent, blood sugar normalizer, mitochondria activator and glutathione enhancer. All of these effects counter the effects of aging, increase energy and enhance the quality of life. Dosage of R Alpha Lipoic Acid As a nutritional supplement, doses of 50 to 100 mg. per day are generally recommended. As a Therapeutic agent, higher doses may be used. In Germay, dosages of 600 mg. per day are prescribed for preventing the damaging effects of hyperglycemia in diabetes. Larger doses, 1200 mg. given intravenously, have been used to treat aminita mushroom poisoning. R Alpha Lipoic Acid Side Effects and Precautions Clinical research has shown no evidence of carcinogenic effects with administration of alpha lipoic acid. Serious side effects have not been observed, even at high doses. Minor side effects include skin reactions and gastrointestinal effects, such as nausea and vomiting. However, these effects have only been observed in a small percentage of subjects who received intravenous infusions of 1,200 mg or more of alpha lipoic acid per day. Alpha Lipoic Acid supplementation may reduce glucose and insulin levels in diabetics. Diabetics taking insulin or glucose lowering drugs will have to monitor their sugar levels and adjust medication as needed. Diabetics taking alpha lipoic acid supplements should work with their physician to monitor and and adjust any medication that they may be using. There is a lack of available data regarding use of alpha lipoic acid during pregnancy. During more than three decades of scientific research and clinical usage no serious adverse effects have been reported as a consequence of alpha lipoic acid supplementation. The LD50 is approximately 400-500 mg/kg after oral dosing in dogs. High doses of alpha lipoic acid should be accompanied ty thiamine administration. An experiment done with rats showed that administration of alpha lipoic acid in extremely high doses (20 mg./kg) in the presence of a thiamine deficiency proved fatal. It would probably be beneficial to include a B-complex supplement in a regimen containing alpha lipoic acid. Where to Get R Alpha Lipoic Acid To order Alpha Lipoic Acid or R Alpha Lipoic Acid from Vitamin Research Products, < http://www.vrp.com/index.aspx?vMBR=238900 <http://www.vrp.com/index.aspx?vMBR=238900 & vPORT=ECART & vNAV=YES & vITM=3451,34 55,3453%3eCLICK> & vPORT=ECART & vNAV=YES & vITM=3451,3455,3453>CLICK HERE References 1. LJ, DeBusk BG, Gunsalus IC, et al. Crystalline alpha-lipoic acid: a catalytic agent associated with pyruvate dehydrogenase. Science 1951;114:93-94. 2. Carreau JP. Biosynthesis of lipoic acid via unsaturated fatty acids. Meth Enzmol 1979;62:152-158. <3. Dupre S, Spoto G, Materese RM, et al. Biosynthesis of alpha-lipoic acid in the rat: Incorporation of S- and C-labeled precursors. Arch Biochem Biophys 1980;202:361-365. 4. Packer L, Witt EH, Tritschler HJ. Alpha-lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant. Free Rad Biol Med 1995;19:227-250. 5. Rosenburg HR, Culik R. Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on vitamin C and vitamin E deficiencies. Arch Biochem Biophys 1959;80:86-93. 6. Podda M, Tritschler HJ, Ulrich H, Packer L. Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation prevents symptoms of vitamin E deficiency. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1994;204:98-104. 7. Xu DP, Wells WW. alpha-lipoic acid dependent regeneration of ascorbic acid from dehydroascorbic acid in rat liver mitochondria. J Bioenerg Biomembr 1996;28:77-85. 8. Scholich H, ME, Sies H. Antioxidant activity of dihydrolipoate against microsomal lipid peroxidation and its dependence on a-tocopherol. Biochem Biophys Acta 1989;1001:256-261. 9. Busse E, Zimmer G, Schopohl B, et al. Influence of alpha-lipoic acid on intracellular glutathione in vitro and in vivo. Arzneimittel-Forschung 1992;42:829-831. <10. Kagan V, Serbinova E, Packer L. Antioxidant effects of ubiquinones in microsomes and mitochondria are mediated by tocopherol recycling. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 1990;169:851-857. 11. Passwater RA. Lipoic Acid: The Metabolic Antioxidant. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc; 1995:1-47. 12. BC, Arouma OI, PJ, et al. Lipoic and dihydrolipoic acid as antioxidants: a critical evaluation. Free Rad Res 1994;20:119-133. 13. Suzuki YJ, Tsuchiya M, Packer L. Thiotic acid and dihydrolipoic acid are novel antioxidants which interact with reactive oxygen species. Free Rad Res Comms 1991;15:255-263. 14. Sandhya P, Mohandass S, Varalakshmi P. Role of DL alpha-lipoic acid in gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity. Mol Cell Biochem 1995;145:11-17. 15. Sigel H, Prijs B, McCormick DB, Shih JCH. Stability of binary and ternary complexes of alpha-lipoate and lipoate derivatives with Mn2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ in solution. Arch Biochem Biophys 1978;187:208-214. 16. Devasagayam TP, Subramanian M, Pradhan DS, Sies H. Prevention of singlet oxygen induced DNA damage by lipoate. Chem-Biol Interations 1993;86:79-92. 17. Bast A, Haenen GR. Interplay between lipoic acid and glutathione in the protection against microsomal lipid peroxidation. Biochem Biophys Acta 1988;963:558-561. 18. Grunert RR. The effect of DL alpha-lipoic acid on heavy-metal intoxication in mice and dogs. Arch Biochem Biophys 1960;86:190-194. 19. Ou P, Tritschler HJ, Wolff SP. Thioctic (lipoic) acid: a therapeutic metal-chelating antioxidant? Biochem Pharmacol 1995;50:123-126. 20. Muller L, Menzel H. Studies on the efficacy of lipoate and dihydrolipoate in the alteration of cadmium toxicity in isolated hepatocytes. Biochem Biophys Acta 1990;1052:386-391. 21. Sumathi R, Baskaran G, Varalakshmi P. Relationship between glutathione and DL alpha-lipoic acid against cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity. Jpn J Med Sci Biol 1996;49:39-48. 22. Sumathi R, Devi VK, Varalakshmi P. DL alpha-lipoic acid protection against cadmium-induced tissue lipid peroxidation. Med Sci Res 1994;22:23-25. 23. RL, Setiarahardjo I, Q, et al. Utilization of renal slices to evaluate the efficacy of chelating agents for removing mercury from the kidney. Toxicology 1997;116:67-75. 24. Gregus Z, Stein AF, Varga F. Effect of lipoic acid on biliary excretion of glutathione and metals. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1992;114:88-96. 25. Strodter D, Lehmann E, Lehmann U, et al. The influence of thioctic acid on metabolism and function of the diabetic heart. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 1995;29:19-26. 26. Estrada DE, Ewart HS, Tsakiridis T, et al. Stimulation of glucose uptake by the natural coenzyme alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid: participation of elements of the insulin signaling pathway. Diabetes 1996;45:1798-1804. 27. Faust A, Burkart V, Ulrich H et al. Effect of lipoic acid on cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes and insulitis in nonobese diabetic mice. Int J Immunopharmac 1994;16:61-66. 28. Henricksen EJ, S, Tritschler HJ, et al. Chronic thioctic treatment increases insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity in skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats. Diabetes 1994;Supplement 1:122A [abstract]. 29. Kawabata T, Packer L. Alpha-lipoate can protect against glycation of serum albumin, but not low density lipoprotein. Biochem Biophys Res Comms 1994;203:99-104. 30. S, Henriksen EJ, Schiemann AL, et al. Enhancement of glucose disposal in patients with type 2 diabetes by alpha-lipoic acid. Arzneimittel-Forschung 1995;45:872-874. 31. S, Henriksen EJ, Tritschler HJ, et al. Improvement of insulin-stimulated glucose-disposal in type 2 diabetes after repeated parenteral administration of thioctic acid. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1996;104:284-288. 32. Garrett NE, Malcangio M, Dewhurst M, Tomlinson DR. alpha-lipoic acid corrects neuropeptide deficits in diabetic rats via induction of trophic support. Neurosci Lett 1997;222:191-194. 33. Nagamatsu M, Nickander KK, Schmelzer JD. Lipoic acid improves nerve blood flow, reduces oxidative stress, and improves distal nerve conduction in experimental diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic Care 1995;18:1160-1166. 34. Ziegler D, Hanefield M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A 3-week multicenter randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study). Diabetologia 1995;38:1425-1433. 35. Kehler W, Kuklinski B, Ruhlmann C, Plotz C. Diabetes mellitus-a free radical associated disease: Effects of adjuvant supplementation of antioxidants. In: Gries FA, Wessel K, eds. The role of antioxidants in diabetes mellitus: Oxygen radicals and anti-oxidants in diabetes. furt am Maine: pmi. Verl-Gruppe; 1993:33-53. 36. Ou P, Nourooz-Zadeh J, Tritschler HJ, Wolff SP. Activation of aldose reductase in rat lens and metal-ion chelation by aldose reductase inhibitors and lipoic acid. Free Radic Res 1996;25:337-346. 37. Maitra I, Serbinova E, Tritschler HJ, Packer L. Alpha-lipoic acid prevents buthionine sulfoximine-induced cataract formation in newborn rats. Free Radic Biol Med 1995;18:823-829. 38. Maitra I, Serbinova E, Tritschler HJ, Packer L. Stereospecific effects of R-lipoic acid on buthionine sulfoximine-induced cataract formation in newborn rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1996;221:422-429. 39. Filina AA, Davydova NG, Endrikhovskii SN, et al. Lipoic acid as a means of metabolic therapy of open-angle glaucoma. Vestn Oftalmol 1995;111:6-8. 40. Scheer B, Zimmer G. Dihydrolipoic acid prevents hypoxic/reoxygenation and peroxidative damage in rat mitochondria. Arch Biochem Biophys 1993;302:385-390. 41. Assadnazari H, Zimmer G, Freisleben HJ, et al. Cardioprotective efficiency of dihydrolipoic acid in working rat hearts during hypoxia and reoxygenation. P nuclear magnetic resonance investigations. Arzneimittel-Forschung 1993;43:425-432. 42. Prehn JH, Karkoutly C, Nuglisch J, et al. Dihydrolipoate reduces neuronal injury after cerebral ischemia. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 1992;12:78-87. 43. Wolz P, Krieglstein J. Neuroprotective effects of alpha-lipoic acid and its enantiomers demonstrated in rodent models of focal cerebral ischemia. Neuropharmacology 1996;35:369-375. 44. Panigrahi M, Sadguna Y, Shivakumar BR, et al. alpha-lipoic acid protects against reperfusion injury following cerebral ischemia in rats. Brain Res 1996;717:184-188. 45. Cao X, Phillis JW. The free radical scavenger, alpha-lipoic acid, protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils. Free Rad Res 1995;23:365-70. 46. Haramaki N, Assadnazari H, Zimmer G, et al. The influence of vitamin E and dihydrolipoic acid on cardiac energy and glutathione status under hypoxia-reoxygenation. Biochem Mol Biol Int 1995;37:591-597. 47. Bartter FC, Berkson B, Gallelli J, et al. Thiotic acid in the treatment of poisoning with alpha-amanitin. In: Faulstich H, Kommerell B, Wieland T, eds. Amanita Toxins and Poisoning. Badan-Baden. Verlg Gerhard Witzstrock; 1980:197-202. 48. Nagy I, Pogatsa-Murray G, Zalanyi S Jr, et al. Amanita poisoning during the second trimester of pregnancy. A case report and a review of the literature. Clin Investig 1994;72:794-798. 49. Sabeel AI, Kurkus J, Lindholm T. Intensive hemodialysis and hemoperfusion treatment of Amanita mushroom poisoning. Mycopathologia 1995;131:107-114. 50. Gal EM. Reversal of selective toxicity of (-)-alpha-lipoic acid by thiamine in thiamine-deficient rats. Nature 1965;207:535. 51. Gregus Z, Fekete T, Halaszi E, Klaassen CD. Lipoic acid impairs glycine conjugation of benzoic acid and renal excretion of benzoylglycine. Drug Metab Dispos 1996;24:682-688. 52. Packer L, Tritschler HJ, Wessel K. Neuroprotection by the metabolic antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. Free Radic Biol Med 1997;22(1-2):359-78. 53. L. Packer, E.H.Witt, H.J. Tritschler, Free Rad Biol and Med 1995; 19: 227-250. 54. Lykkesfeldt J, Hagen TM, Vinarsky V, Ames BN. Age-associated decline in ascorbic acid concentration, recycling, and biosynthesis in rat hepatocytes--reversal with ®-alpha-lipoic acid supplementation. FASEB J 1998 Sep;12(12):1183-9. 55. Liu J, Atamna H, Kuratsune H, Ames BN. Delaying brain mitochondrial decay and aging with mitochondrial antioxidants and metabolites. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2002 Apr;959:133-66. 56. Liu J, Head E, Gharib AM, Yuan W, Ingersoll RT, Hagen TM, Cotman CW, Ames BN. 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