Alpha Lipoic Acid - Benefits, Side Effects, Dangers
Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that may have a profound impact on the fight against age-related diseases, but it also has other benefits, as well as some side effects. Users must also be aware of the various dangers associated with the use of Alpha lipoic acid supplements.
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Alpha Lipoic Acid Eliminates "Free Radical" Damage
Alpha lipoic acid , also called Alpha , is a "universal antioxidant," which means it is both fat and water soluble. Because of this property, it can eliminate a wider variety of free radicals than other antioxidants, such as Vitamin E , which is only fat soluble, or Vitamin C, which is only water soluble. Interestingly, it also increases the lifespan and efficiency of other antioxidants, including Vitamins E and C, Coq10, and glutathione, all of which tend to decrease in the body as we age.
In the body, alpha lipoic acid is used to create energy in the mitochondria , which are the energy-producing cells in the body. As we age, the efficiency of the mitochondria decreases, which some believe is a main factor in the adverse effects of aging. Alpha lipoic acid protects the mitochondria, as well as our DNA, so they deteriorate less as we age.
Early studies have also shown that alpha lipoic acid may be of use in the fight against degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. It has also been shown to protect the liver, perhaps providing a treatment for hepatitis and cirrhosis. Studies have also shown that it could be very useful in the treatment of stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
Alpha lipoic acid has shown much potential as an anti-aging supplement. It can help increase brain function in aging adults, and can help prevent eye deterioration and cataracts.
Between what the body produces and what we get from certain foods, such as beef liver or kidney, spinach, and broccoli, natural levels of alpha lipoic acid are sufficient to maintain health. However, as we age, the body's ability to synthesize alpha lipoic acid decreases, which may be increased by an alpha supplement. Also, to treat specific ailments, many doctors recommend supplements.
Although preliminary research has been very promising, it is still too early to say whether alpha lipoic acid lives up to the reputation it is beginning to have. After all, its value to the human body was only discovered sometime in the late 1980s, so its long-term effects on the human body have yet to be studied.
For those with immediate problems, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, or heart disease, the limited amount of research of alpha lipoic acid does seem remarkably promising. Still, because the current research is limited, consult your doctor before using an alpha supplement.
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