Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Vitamin E as Therapeutic Agents

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Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Vitamin E as Therapeutic Agents

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: “Therapeutic perspectives on the combination of alpha-lipoic

acid and vitamin E,” - O, -Castaneda RI, Nutrition

Research, 2006; 26(1): 1-5. (Address: Neurosurgery and Program in

Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, University of California San

Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA).

Summary: This review article discusses the therapeutic potential and

applications of alpha-lipoic acid (lipoate) (ALA) and vitamin E (VE).

Recent findings have shown that ALA plus VE helps to reduce oxidative

damage in ischemic and other oxidation-related pathological conditions.

Vitamin E is readily found in dietary sources such as wheat germ and

various oils such as sunflower, corn and soybean; however, it can be

readily destroyed through cooking or commercial processing. Vitamin E

has been found to reduce levels of lipid peroxidation and

malondialdehyde concentration. ALA is also found in the diet in sources

such as wheat germ, beer yeast and red meat. Like vitamin E, ALA has

antioxidant properties. In addition, ALA enhances the effects of other

antioxidant systems through affecting SOD, coenzyme Q10, and

glutathione, in addition to regenerating vitamins C and E. Research is

the past 20 years has looked at the potential synergism between ALA and

VE, and their application in treating conditions such as diabetic

neuropathy, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatic arthritis, cardiac and

cerebral ischemia, and general effects of the aging process. The authors

state, “As investigated in the retina, heart and brain ischemia models,

the synergistic mechanism of ALA-VE combination is not entirely known,

but it is clear that the best in vitro and in vivo antioxidant effects

are achieved when both ALA and VE are used simultaneously.” Considering

the fact that supplementation with both ALA and VE has been found to be

safe and well tolerated, in addition to inexpensive, this article

concludes by suggesting that while additional research is needed, ALA

and VE, through their effects on free radicals, hold great potential as

therapeutic agents in the treatment of persons with diabetes,

hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart ischemia.

--

ne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar@... >

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