Unlocking the benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid for a healthier lifestyle – Longer. Technology

Ava GreyApril 4, 2023

0 22 7 minutes read

Alpha lipoic acid maintains healthy blood sugar levels and reduces oxidative stress.

It has been found to facilitate eye health, provide neuroprotection, protect bone density, prevent chelation of metals, migraines and maintain healthy skin. In addition, Alpha Lipoic Acid is a regulated drug by most European countries, although it is available as a supplement in the US.

Many people can benefit from natural strategies that maintain healthy blood sugar (glucose) levels and protect against oxidative stress, given the growing epidemic of diabetes and its devastating complications. One’s risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease increases when someone has metabolic syndrome. This includes insulin resistance, high triglycerides, high blood pressure and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

Lipoic acid is known as a powerful and effective antioxidant with many unique properties. In some European countries (where it is approved to treat diabetes-related complications, alcoholism-related complications and liver diseases), lipoic acid is a crucial element of any health care regimen for informed individuals. [1].

Recent research shows that lipoic acid has significant benefits in glaucoma, migraines, strokes and oral health.

Oxidative stress protection

Oxidative stress and free radical generation are two underlying problems in diabetes. Free radicals work in the body, attacking and damaging tissues. Patients with diabetes are more likely to experience oxidative stress due to high glucose levels, which can contribute to long-term complications.

By neutralizing free radicals and inhibiting oxidative stress, enzymes like lipoic acid prevent this damage [2]. A unique property of lipoic acid is that it can act in both water-soluble and fat-soluble areas in cells and tissues. From there it is easily absorbed and transported into many organs and systems of the body, including the liver, brain and nerves.

This is in contrast to vitamins such as vitamin C, which is not very lipid-soluble (it cannot penetrate cell membranes very well), or vitamin E, which is not water-soluble. By combining lipoic acid with these antioxidants, the body can fight free radicals more powerfully. The properties of lipoic acid to regenerate vitamins C and E with antioxidant help.

Unlocking the benefits of Alpha Lipoic acid for a healthier lifestyle

Lipoic acid also helps amplify the positive effects of other important enzymes in the body, such as glutathione and coenzyme Q10. Both of these are important for health against disease and aging.

By converting parts of food, such as carbohydrates, protein and fats, into stored energy, it supports the body’s energy production together with the vitamin B family. In particular, lipoic acid protects the mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells, from oxidative stress, efficient energy production throughout the body.

Diabetes and metabolic syndrome

A growing body of research suggests that lipoic acid may play an important role in maintaining optimal blood sugar levels, supporting insulin sensitivity and supporting basic aspects of cardiovascular health, such as endothelial function.

A recent review of experimental studies suggests that alpha lipoic acid can alleviate several components of the metabolic syndrome, a constellation of risk factors that often precedes type 2 diabetes. Researchers have found that lipoic acid improves lipid profiles, reduces weight and lowers blood pressure. The potential therapeutic value of lipoic acid for individuals with metabolic syndrome is encouraging to scientists [3].

Additionally, a study of 36 coronary artery patients found that acetyl-L-carnitine combined with lipoic acid reduced blood pressure and improved brachial artery endothelial function. For people with metabolic syndrome, this nutrient pair can be an effective strategy for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.

In active adults with type 2 diabetes, lipoic acid has been found to improve insulin sensitivity. Lipoic acid produces significant improvements in a short period of time – just four weeks of supplementation [4]. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, so this finding could have significant implications.

Despite the complications of diabetes, lipoic acid can still help. It has proven effective in treating diabetic neuropathy, a type of nerve damage caused by high glucose levels in the body.

Aim to promote better eye health

Optimal vision can be supported by alpha lipoic acid. With age, adults become more likely to develop cataracts, which are opacities in the lens that impair vision.

The fundamental problem in cataract formation is oxidative stress in the lens of the eye. An experimental animal model found lipoic acid to be effective in protecting against cataract formation. Lipoic acid can deliver this benefit by increasing naturally occurring antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase. [5].

Glaucoma is another common cause of vision loss. In a study of patients with open-angle glaucoma, patients receiving 75 mg of lipoic acid daily for two months or 150 mg of lipoic acid daily for a month had better visual function and other measures of glaucoma compared to a control group. lipoic acid [6].

Additionally, a recent study found that combining lipoic acid with vitamin E prevented retinal death in animals with retinitis pigmentosa. It affects people too. A nutritional approach could potentially treat retinitis pigmentosa, which currently has no effective medical treatment [7].

Neuroprotection

Lipoic acid has been widely studied for its ability to reduce the damaging effects of free radicals on the nervous system [8]. Lipoic acid can easily reach all parts of the nerve cell.

In experiments, lipoic acid reduced brain damage after a stroke, and animals receiving lipoic acid had a survival rate that was three times higher than those that did not receive lipoic acid. [9]. The purpose of lipoic acid is to promote healthy nerve function by regenerated glutathione, which is often affected by oxidative stress with cerebrovascular events such as strokes.

A new study suggests that lipoic acid may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most feared conditions associated with aging. Several mechanisms have been identified by researchers that may explain how lipoic acid helps prevent or manage Alzheimer’s [10]. Lipoic acid can increase the production of acetylcholine, an essential messenger to the nervous system that is lacking in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

Maintaining bone density

Lipoic acid may also be helpful in preventing bone loss related to osteoporosis and other degenerative bone diseases. Bone health can be maintained by taming oxidative stress, which has the potential to weaken strong bone density.

Lipoic acid inhibited the formation of cheap osteoclast cells in the laboratory when applied to bone marrow cells and osteoblasts (bone-forming cells). [11]. It also reduced inflammation-induced bone loss in laboratory and in vivo systems [12].

Lipoic acid prevents bone damage by inhibiting prostaglandin E2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, which are pro-inflammatory cytokines. [13]. Based on these preliminary promises, lipoic acid may have a therapeutic role in preventing and managing osteoporosis.

metal chelation

Lipoic acid can also defend the body against toxic metal contaminants in the environment and food supply. This multifunctional agent works by sequestering dangerous agents such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury and allowing the body to remove them.

Lipoic acid protects against arsenic poisoning and cadmium poisoning according to animal studies [14]. In addition, lipoic acid has also been shown to protect the delicate nervous system from mercury poisoning. [15].

Prevent migraines

There is preliminary evidence that lipoic acid may offer some relief to migraine sufferers. Research has shown that taking 600 mg of lipoic acid per day for three months modestly reduced headache frequency and intensity and fewer headache days. [16].

Keeping your skin healthy

Lipoic acid has a myriad of benefits, including improved skin health. According to a study of 33 women with an average age of 54, twice-daily application of lipoic acid cream for three months reduced the roughness of their skin and the appearance of photoaging [17].

Using Lipoic Acid

Aging naturally decreases the production of lipoic acids in the body, resulting in free radical damage. Although foods such as spinach and collard greens, broccoli, beef and organ meats contain some lipoic acid, supplementation may be required to achieve significant levels of intake. [18].

According to studies, R-dihydrolipoic acid has the greatest potency of lipoic acid. R-dihydrolipoic acid has become available as a dietary supplement in recent years, providing the body with the most readily available form of lipoic acid.

Many of the benefits associated with lipoic acid are caused by R-dihydrolipoic acid. The antioxidant effects of R-dihydrolipoic acid are immediate and significant in the body.

It is an especially effective antioxidant for destroying peroxynitrite free radicals, which include both oxygen and nitrogen and have been linked to chronic inflammation, nervous system disorders and atherosclerosis. Various doses of lipoic acid have been used in scientific studies showing health benefits.

Recommendations, side effects and interactions

Supplementing with biotin and vitamin B complex together is recommended by some nutritional doctors for better results.

The use of lipoic acid in recommended doses has generally been found to be safe. Among the rarer side effects reported in humans are skin allergies and digestive problems.

Those with diabetes or glucose intolerance should monitor their blood glucose levels by taking lipoic acid because it can lower blood glucose levels. To prevent hypoglycemia, it is also necessary to adjust the dose of anti-diabetic drugs.

Since the long-term use of lipoic acid has not yet been studied in pregnant women and nursing mothers, these people should avoid using the antioxidant. [19]. Lipoic acid provides broad-spectrum protection against some of society’s most troublesome health conditions, from severe neuropathy and migraine headaches to disabling cataracts and neurodegenerative conditions.

You can start optimizing your body’s immune system levels today by using lipoic acid supplements or its high-potency cousin R-dihydrolipoic acid.

Photograph: Prostock-studio/Envato

The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote understanding and knowledge of the various areas of broad pain health. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment, and before taking on a new health care regimen, and never disregard seeking professional medical advice or delay because of anything you have. it is read in this place.

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Ava GreyApril 4, 2023

0 22 7 minutes read