Health Benefits of Lipoic Acid » The Nutraceutical Database

Alpha Lipoic Acid Molecular Structure

R-Lipoic Acid Molecular Structure

Lipoic Acid (also referred to as Thioctic Acid) is a potent Antioxidant found in every cell of the body. It is unique in the fact that it is both water and fat soluble. Lipoic Acid would have been classified as a vitamin if it were not for the fact that it can be synthesized within the body. Endogenous production of Lipoic Acid declines with age increasing our requirement for supplementation. Lipoic Acid has the potential to significantly reduce High Blood Sugar and caution should be used when taken for this purpose. Supplementing with Lipoic Acid may mask the symptoms of Vitamin E deficiency so be sure of your Vitamin E status when using Lipoic Acid. Lipoic Acid benefits the Brain by readily crossing the Blood-Brain barrier protecting Cell Membranes from Free Radical damage.

The Health Benefits of Lipoic Acid:

AGING PROCESS

• May retard certain aspects of the Aging Process.
• Inhibits damage to mitochondrial DNA which is the principle detrimental process implicated in the Mitochondrial DNA Theory of Aging.
• May possess Life-Extension properties.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

• Helps prevent Atherosclerosis.
• Can reduce High Blood Pressure (Hypertension).
• Pain experienced by Intermittent Claudication patients may be reduced by supplementation.
• Reduces the toxic effects of Ischemia.
• Protects Red Blood Cells against Peroxyl Free Radicals.
• When consumed prior to Ischemic Stroke, may minimize Brain damage due to its Antioxidant effects.

HEARING / VISION

• Can prevent some forms of Deafness.
• May help prevent Age-Related and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.
• Helps to protect the Cochlea from mitochondrial damage.
• Due to its Antioxidant properties, helps prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
• The risk of Cataracts is reduced by supplementation.
• Can help prevent Glaucoma.
• Protects the Lens of the eye from degeneration.
• 600mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid daily improves chronic Ophthalmoplegia (paralysis or weakness of the eye muscle).
• Protects the Retina from degeneration.

IMMUNE SYSTEM

• Useful in the treatment of Asthma.
• Lipoic Acid has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients by:

▪ Increasing plasma Glutathione levels
▪ Helping to increase/maintain plasma Vitamin C levels
▪ Inhibiting HIV Viral Transcriptase, an enzyme required for HIV replication
▪ Inhibiting Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-Kappa B), an enzyme that activates HIV

• Limits the ability of Free Radicals to damage the Body’s Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA).
• Lipoic Acid is useful in the treatment of Cancer including:

▪ Breast
▪ Liver
▪ Lung

• When combined with Milk Thistle and Selenium, it is useful in treating Hepatitis C.
• Stimulates various aspects of the Immune System.
• By inhibiting Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-Kappa B), it inhibits Inflammation.

METABOLISM

• Potent scavenger of Hydroxyl, Peroxyl and Peroxynitrite Free Radicals.
• May increase Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).
• Reduces Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar).
• Energy levels of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients may be improved by supplementation.
• Inhibits the Cross-Linking of endogenous Proteins, especially by Glucose.
• Helps Cystic Fibrosis patients due to its ability to inhibit Elastase and exert anti-mucolytic activity.
• Lipoic Acid is useful in the management of both Diabetes Type 1 & 2 as it may:

▪ Prevent Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
▪ Improve Glucose utilization in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
▪ Reduce the incidence of Diabetic-related cataracts by inhibiting Aldose Reductase
▪ Prevent Diabetic Nephropathy
▪ Prevent Diabetic Neuropathy
▪ Improve the action of Insulin

• Helps increase Energy Levels in the Brain and Muscles.
• Improves recovery from Exercise.
• Reduces Insulin Resistance.
• Useful in the treatment of Obesity.
• Triglycerides can be reduced by supplementation.
• Facilitates the removal of Toxic Heavy Metals from the body.
• Useful in the treatment of Hemochromatosis due to its ability to inhibit Iron-induced Free Radical damage.
• Functions as a coenzyme in Carbohydrate and Fatty Acid Metabolism.
• Enhances the conversion of Glycogen to Glucose.
• Intracellular Glutathione levels may be increased up to 70% with supplementation.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

• Helps to improve the utilization of Glucose within the Muscles and may increase the body’s production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).
• May help prevent Osteoporosis.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis may be prevented/treated with supplementation.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Burning Mouth Syndrome may be alleviated by supplementation.
• May help to prevent/treat Altitude Sickness.
• Can stabilize Mental Function in Alzheimer’s Disease patients.
• Energy levels in the Brain can be increased with supplementation.
• Protects the Brain from the toxic effects of Ischemia.
• Helps to alleviate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
• May improve Cognitive Dysfunction in Epilepsy patients.
• Damage from Brain Injuries may be reduced by supplementation.
• Can extend the survival time for Huntington’s Disease patients.
• May improve both Spatial and Long Term Memory in the elderly.
• Limits the damage Mercury can cause to Neurons.
• Can prevent/treat Multiple Sclerosis.
• Can prevent Migraines.
• Useful in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.
• The pain from Sciatica may be reduced by supplementation.
• May help to preserve one’s sense of Smell and Taste.
• Helps alleviate Anosmia (loss of sense of Smell).
• Helps to prevent Haloperidol-induced Tardive Dyskinesia.

SKIN

• Applied topically Lipoic Acid helps to:

▪ Limit Scarring caused by Acne
▪ Alleviate Enlarged Pores
▪ Reverse Aging of the Skin
▪ Reduce “Eye Puffiness” when applied around the Eyes
▪ Reduce Wrinkles
▪ Facilitate the removal of damaged Collagen

TOXINS

• Minimizes Acrolein toxicity.
• Reduces the excitotoxic effects of Glutamic Acid.
• The toxic effects of Radioactivity may be reduced by supplementation.
• Binds to and helps to remove Toxic Heavy Metals from the body.
• Helps to prevent the adverse effects of Mycotoxins.
• Facilitates the removal of Lipofuscin from the heart and Brain.
• Reduces Lactic Acid accumulation.
• Reduces Methotrexate-induced damage to the Mitochondria.
• Enhances the removal of Amyloid-Beta Protein (plaque) from the Brain.
• Protects the Liver from numerous Toxins including:

▪ Pharmaceutical Drugs
▪ Toxic Mushrooms
▪ Alcohol
▪ Carbon Tetrachloride
▪ Toxic Minerals

Generally, Lipoic Acid supplements are sold as Alpha Lipoic Acid which usually contain a 50/50 mixture of Lipoic Acid’s two isomers (R-Lipoic Acid & S-Lipoic Acid). R-Lipoic Acid is the active reduced form of Lipoic Acid and is more potent than its S Isomer form. Both formulas have their own benefits and it remains unclear at this time which is best. Alpha Lipoic Acid is the most common form of Lipoic Acid for supplementation and is usually sufficient for most people. The R-Lipoic Acid isomer seems to be better at enhancing Glucose sensitivity. It may require trying both formulas to find which one works best for you.

Lipoic Acid Enhances ATP Production

USAGE

Lipoic Acid may be taken without regard to meals. The typical dosage of Alpha Lipoic Acid is between 100 and 600mg per day divided, but can go as high as 1,800mg in cases of Diabetes Mellitus. R-Fraction Lipoic Acid supplements are generally considered to have twice the absorption as the blended Alpha Lipoic Acid form. Thus, R-Fraction Lipoic Acid supplements are usually sold in lower dosages. Typical daily dosages of R-Fraction Lipoic Acid range from 50-300mg divided. In cases of Diabetes Mellitus dosing can go as high as 900mg daily.

CAUTIONS:

• Lipoic Acid can significantly reduce Blood Sugar. If you have Diabetes and are using Lipoic Acid to reduce Blood Sugar start with a low dose and gradually increase the dosage every two to four weeks. Be sure to monitor your Blood Sugar frequently as adjustments to your Diabetes medications will be required.