In a recent blog, alpha-lipoic acid as an aide in DMSA chelation was explored [March 22, 2011, Chelation News: Alpha-Lipoic Acid – A Crucial Support When Applying DMSA]. Today, we will focus on the many additional health benefits that alpha-lipoic acid (short ALA) can have as a food supplement, even more so as every cell of the body actually already is producing it. The primary function of the ALA inherent in the body is to help convert the sugar in the blood into energy.
ALA likewise functions as an antioxidant. In other words it serves as part of the body’s defense system against “free radicals”, which are formed as waste products in the digesting and processing of food. Especially modern day diets of industrially manufactured foods low in enzymes and fibers but rich in additives set free a slew of free radicals within the body. These then lower the body’s immunity and make it harder for the body to fight off infections. Alpha-lipoic acid is both water and fat soluble unlike other antioxidants, which are either water soluble (like vitamin C), or solely fat-soluble (like vitamin E). It is therefore more versatile in action. Furthermore, recent data suggest that ALA not only fights off harmful free radicals but also strengthens the body’s other antioxidants, which are quickly depleted in action.
According to an overview published by the University of Maryland Medical Center, “Alpha-lipoic acid can lower blood sugar levels, and its ability to kill free radicals may help reduce pain, burning, itching, tingling and numbness in people who have nerve damage caused by diabetes [a condition usually referred to as “peripheral neuropathy]. Alpha-lipoic acid has been used for years for this purpose in Europe…” In cases of diabetes and diabetic neuropathy the same paper suggests daily divided doses of 800mg of alpha-lipoic acid.
Although the University of Maryland Medical Center also mentions the potential uses for ALA, for example in alcohol related liver diseases or in the reduction of impairments due to stroke, it refrains from any endorsement of such treatments as no systematic studies have been done. Naturally, the various manufacturers of ALA supplements are more enthusiastic. A good example of the much longer list of benefits that they suggest can be found on this page: http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-alpha-lipoic-acid-4109.html
My own take on this like on all such issues is, that systematic studies are not always required, especially in the case of a substance like ALA which is inherent to the body. It is safe to assume that the supplement will have the same or at least similar benefits as the ALA produced by the body itself. On the other hand, the belief in the cure-all capability of any substance is counter productive, and high hopes especially for cosmetic benefits may remain unfulfilled. Although they may manifest partially, they may also be less dramatic than anticipated.
More helpful are serious, controlled research such as the following conducted by Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University regarding the potential of alpha lipoic acid in lowering high triglycerides, which are a risk factor for heart disease.
According to a posting on www.healthyfellow.com, the results of this particular study were dramatic. "A group of rats given therapeutic dosages of lipoic acid exhibited drops in their triglycerides of up to 60%. When the scientists tried to pin down how this reduction occurred, they reached two conclusions:
- The lipoic acid appeared to hasten the clearance of triglycerides from the bloodstream.
- They also noted a decrease in triglyceride production in the liver.
This led the authors of the study to comment that lipoic acid appeared to work differently than conventional (fibrate) medications. They went on to conclude that, “Given its strong safety record, ALA may have potential clinical applications for the treatment or prevention of hypertriglyceridemia and diabetic dyslipidemia.”