Alpha Lipoic Acid

[Guest guest]

I recently posted a brief piece on alpha lipoic acid and insulin

resistance. At the time I was not very interested, as I had taken

it for awhile and seen no results. I had not however taken it at

the 600 mg does recommended in the article.

Last night I went to the health food store, and found out that

it needs to be not only a higher dose but in a time-released

form. They serendipitously had a 300 mg time-released dose on

BIG sale (it's spendy) so I am trying it. Read this article if

interested...and note the part about needing more thiamine.

~^^V^^~

Alpha Lipoic Acid and Your Health

Alpha-lipoic acid(lipoic acid) is a universal

anti-oxidant: it works in both fatty and watery

regions of cells to quench free radicals. It also

helps to recycle other antioxidants, including vitamins E

and C,

Co-Q10, and glutathione, extending their metabolic life.

(Packer L, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid as a Biological

Antioxidant.

Free Radical Biol Med 1995;19(2);227-50). Since 1951, it has

been recognized as a coenzyme necessary for carbohydrate

metabolism in the biochemical reaction known as the citric

acid cycle. Based on American research showing it increases

glucose burning, lipoic acid is medically approved in Germany

to treat adult onset diabetes(non-insulin-dependent) and its

complications.

Because it is a sulphur compound, alpha lipoic acid can bind

and help eliminate heavy metals such as copper, iron, mercury

and cadmium; risk factors for a wide range of degenerative

diseases. In German studies of Type II diabetes (NIDDM),

alpha lipoic acid has shown promise, as well as in cataract

studies at the University of California at Berkeley and in

cardiovascular studies concerned with LDL (bad cholesterol)

levels.

Although there have been hundreds of studies over 40 years

revealing how lipoic acid energizes metabolism, the new

excitement about this vitamin-like substance can be seen in

the many recent studies focusing on how it improves the

physique, combats free radicals, protects our genetic material,

slows aging, and helps protect against heart disease, cancer

and many other diseases.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid has been used successfully for the

maintenance of liver health and as a treatment for several

toxin-related illnesses. Alpha-Lipoic acid has been used

extensively in Europe for years as a non-toxic nutrient to

treat

various chemical overdoses such as mushroom poisoning,

radiation poisoning and alcoholic hepatitis. It has also been

used to treat diabetic neuropathy and elevated liver enzymes.

Elevated liver enzymes, which can indicate liver damage, can

be a serious problem for people with life threatening diseases.

For people who take oral medications such as antibiotics

and/or anti-virals, balanced liver enzymes are essential for

these drugs to get metabolized properly. Unfortunately, these

same drugs can cause increased liver enzymes. Alpha-Lipoic

acid may help protect the liver so that you can take certain

drugs. Another benefit of Alpha-Lipoic acid may be its

ability to

elevate the levels of glutathione (GSH). Low levels of

glutathione may cause oxidative stress, and cause

inflammation and damage organs. It may also cause damage

to nerve cells, leading to peripheral neuropathy. Oxidative

stress may also speed up the replication of HIV.

According to A. Passwater, Ph.D., in Lipoic Acid: The

Metabolic Antioxidant,

" Both insulin-dependent and

non-insulin-dependent diabetics will be excited to

learn that lipoic acid has been used for nearly 30

years in Europe to treat diabetic neuropathy,

help regulate blood sugar and prevent diabetic

retinopathy and cardiopathy, " Passwater says.

" Lipoic acid not only protects the nervous

system, but also may be involved In regenerating

nerves. It is also being studied in the treatment of

Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. "

" Lipoic acid has also been used for decades to

protect the liver and to detoxify the body of heavy

metal pollutants, such as excessive iron and

copper and toxic metals such as cadmium, lead

and mercury, " Passwater continues. One of the

most exciting recent developments is that lipoic

acid appears to help slow the progression of

HIV-infection to clinical AIDS. "

It appears that alpha-lipoic acid, alone or together with

vitamin

E, is an effective treatment for radiation exposure, lessening

indices of oxidative damage and normalizing organ function,

according to Lester Packer, Ph.D., et al. in Free Radical

Biology and Medicine 1995. This therapy has been effective In

treating children living in areas affected by the Chernobyl

accident in the former Soviet Union.

Neither animal nor human studies, so far, have shown serious

side effects with the use of alpha-lipoic acid, Dr. Packer

says.

However, it is not recommended for pregnant women without

proper supervision. Since it may interfere with vitamin B-1

utilization, a thiamine or B vitamin supplement may be

warranted if lipoic acid is given to thiamine-deficient

individuals,

such as alcoholics.