Antioxidant Supports Normal Blood Sugar, Etc.
Alpha Lipoic Acid comes from several foods, yeast and liver in particular, but also spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and kidney.
Alpha Lipoic Acid, once thought to be a vitamin, is actually an antioxidant that can scavenge free radicals both intra- and extra-cellularly. It also helps maintain a normal blood sugar metabolism. High doses of Alpha Lipoic Acid are approved in Germany for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.
Interestingly, Alpha Lipoic Acid is both water and fat soluble and can regenerate antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and glutathione, and also prevent oxidative damage.
Support in Excreting Dangerous Toxins by Chelation
Today, we are exposed to far more toxic chemicals than at any other time in our history on this planet -- pesticides, smog, cigarette smoke, tainted drinking water, etc. To balance the body's ability to combat toxins, which put a great deal of oxidative stress on internal systems, potent antioxidants are needed to address the trillions of free radicals that can ultimately lead to cell damage and death. And, fortunately, Alpha Lipoic Acid is one of the most potent of antioxidants.
Alpha Lipoic Acid is an good chelating agent. It is able to bind metallic and other substances, such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, copper, etc.. It then neutralizes them and carries them to a place where they can be easily excreted from the body (mercury through the gall bladder, for example). So, fair members, if you've noticed a funny smell when you urinate or sweat after taking Alpha Lipoic Acid, it's doing it's job!
The Infamous Readers Digest Article: "The End of Aging"
Dr. Bruce Ames, a biochemist and Professor at the University of California at Berkeley had his work profiled in Readers Digest in 2003. Dr. Ames believes that while the production of energy in the mitochondria in your cells is highly efficient, the minor element of inefficiency -- which releases free radicals -- is the cause of aging.
Dr. Ames is known for pairing the powerful antioxidant and "free radicals-fighter" Alpha Lipoic Acid with Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
Visual Function Support
The eye is highly sensitive to oxidative damage. Some researchers are reporting the development of the cataract of the eye is an oxidative-degnerative process resembling the physiology of general aging. Cataract formation, is a common diabetic complication. In a number of trials, Alpha Lipoic Acid supplementation decreased cataract formation. It also was found to restore the protective activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate free radical reductase in lenses of treated animals. Another use for Alpha Lipoic Acid is to improve visual function in people with glaucoma.
Liver Detoxification
Alpha Lipoic Acid supports production of glutathione, your liver's detox specialist. Glutathione binds with toxic gunk and makes it water-soluble enough to be flushed out through your kidneys. "We give patients who overdose on Tylenol a drug that stimulates glutathione production. It's the quickest way to rid the liver of toxins," says Savant Mehta, MD, director of the liver-transplant program at the University of Massachusetts."*
* From WebMD/Men's Health: The Hard Liver's Guide to the Liver
Brain Protection as Well?
Preliminary data suggests that Alpha Lipoic Acid can protect against damage to the brain or neural tissue as well. This is generally thought to be related to potent antioxidant properties, which reduce oxidative damage in general. In some studies, rats fed Alpha Lipoic Acid-enriched diets demonstrate protection against the general effects of aging.
HIV Inhibition
Some studies have also shown that Alpha Lipoic Acid inhibits the replication of the HIV virus in the test tube.
