Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is probably the
most amazing nutritional supplement no one has heard of. Scientific research
into ALA has exploded over the past decade. Today, ALA is recognized as the key
nutritional supplement in the prevention and therapy of many chronic
degenerative conditions including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, premature
aging and cancer.
ALA is a powerful anti-oxidant and is
naturally produced in the human body. Anti-oxidants assist the body from
oxidizing too much too quickly due to over-production of free radicals - a very
common physiological phenomenon that results from stress, metabolic waste and
physical exercise. Presence of free radicals in the body causes inflammation,
heart disease and premature aging. The sure way to halt damage caused by free
radicals is to ensure the body gets plenty of bio-available
anti-oxidants.
The power of ALA comes from it's
multiple capabilities. It is not only an universal anti-oxidant but also a
protector of other water-soluble and fat-soluble anti-oxidants including
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Glutathione and Coenzyme Q10. ALA is easily absorbed and
transported across cell membranes. This unique quality offers protection
against free radicals both inside and outside the cell, whereas other
anti-oxidants only provide protection outside the cell and not inside, where a
lot of key processes take place.Additionally, ALA encourages the body to
convert food into energy efficiently, thus helping to prevent what we eat from
being deposited as fat on the body. ALA has also been shown to prevent cataracts
of the lens of the eye. Today, humans are exposed to more toxic chemicals than
at any other time in their evolution on this planet. ALA is an indispensable
ally in our attempt to keep ourselves healthy in a world whose stresses and
pollutants work to make us ill. It is a powerful protector of the liver,
where it fends off alcohol’s toxic effect. It is also useful as a chelating
(binding) agent, helpingß to rid the body of excess copper.
ALA is of great value to someone who has
either Type I or Type II diabetes and is a major treatment for diabetic
neuropathy. Several studies have shown that ALA fights insulin resistance and
markedly stimulates the cell’s uptake of glucose. It also protects the
pancreatic cells that manufacture insulin. Thus ALA can be a valuable adjunct
in treating diabetes especially for early stages of Type I diabetes where the
body still manufactures some amount of insulin. In diabetic patients, excess
sugar in the bloodstream can lead to nerve fiber damage. ALA helps stave off
many of the repercussions of high blood sugar such as diabetic retinopathy.
Even though our bodies are capable of
manufacturing ALA, we still need to get additional supply from our diet or from
supplements. In nature, the richest food source of ALA is red meat, organ meats
such as kidney and heart, spinach, broccoli and Brewer’s yeast. But there is a
clear advantage in adding ALA supplements to our health regime. Taking a little
extra ALA would prove beneficial for anyone who desires wellness and longevity.
In absence of any medical problem, a dosage of 100-300 mg of ALA along with
vitamin B1 is beneficial. For conditions such as obesity where in a full
antioxidant response is needed to over come metabolic resistance, 300-600mg of
alpha-lipoic acid is suggested. Except for rare skin reactions alpha-lipoic
acid has no adverse effects and no drug interactions. People with diabetes may
need to take ALA under medical supervision as the use of ALA will reduce their
dependence on insulin and other anti-diabetic drugs.
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