Today's post from prohealth.com (see link below) is another article examining the benefits of the anti-oxidant and co-enzyme, alpha lipoic acid to the nervous system and especially to the protective lining of nerves - mitochondria. There are other articles on this blog about lipoic acid to be found by checking the alphabetical list to the right of the blog. Many people living with neuropathy have benefited by supplementing with alpha lipoic acid and Acetyl L-carnitine but it has to be stressed that for some, it makes no difference whatsoever. Whether you believe all the claims or not, it's certainly worth talking over with your doctor or neurologist, as a possible non-drug option in your treatment regime. In order to follow all the reference links via the numbers, you will need to visit the original page. 
By Michael Anderson • www.ProHealth.com • October 28, 2014
It is estimated that 85% of the oxygen contained in every breath you take is consumed by the mitochondria within each cell of your body.1
The decay of these energy-producing powerhouses in turn lies at the core of most age-related pathologies.
In experimental models examining the mitochondrial theory of aging, it has been shown that cells microinjected with mitochondria isolated from old animals degenerate far more rapidly than those microinjected with mitochondria from young animals.2
The good news is that when supplied with a nutrient regimen that includes lipoic acid, a profound regeneration is observed in similar animal models,3 including improved metabolic function and a marked decline in oxidative stress.
In this article, the recent data on lipoic acid’s multimodal power to combat a host of age-related diseases is detailed. You will learn how it may help prevent cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. You will also learn of drug company efforts to produce high-cost, synthetic forms of lipoic acid to capitalize on its unique health-promoting properties at your expense.
Mitochondrial Decay and Aging
The mitochondrial theory of aging has long held a prominent place in scientists’ understanding of the processes that impact aging. First proposed by Denman Harman in 1972, this theory posits that accumulated DNA damage to mitochondria, the cells’ energy generators, leads to increased free radical stress and decreased cellular energy production.4 In the past 30 years, a wealth of evidence supporting the mitochondrial theory of aging has led prominent researchers such as Bruce Ames to consider it a major contributor to aging.5
Experimental models support this theory and demonstrate the importance of youthful mitochondria function in maintaining cellular health. For example, cells microinjected with mitochondria from aged animals display greater cellular degeneration, compared with cells microinjected with mitochondria from youthful animals.2 The mitochondrial theory of aging has analyzed the components of young and old cells. Youthful organisms contain abundant numbers of smaller, bioenergetically efficient mitochondria, while older organisms contain larger, inefficient mitochondria that decrease energy supply in the cells.6,7
Delaying mitochondrial aging through the use of nutrients such as lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine has been proposed as a top-line strategy for preventing aging-related diseases.8
How Lipoic Acid Combats Cellular Degeneration
Lipoic acid is a vital “co-factor” for enzymatic reactions within the mitochondria, helping to optimize energy conversion.9,10 It possesses unique properties that specifically slow mitochondrial aging by preventing release of mutagenic oxidants.11 Recent research further reveals lipoic acid’s ability to alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction in aging cells (thus improving mitochondrial function).12,13
Researchers have further discovered that lipoic acid enhances the effects of insulin, benefitting glucose metabolism and lowering blood sugar levels.10
This in turn mitigates the pathologic cross-linking of glucose and protein that result in advanced glycation end products (AGEs).14
These advanced glycation end products have been shown to accelerate the onset of cardiovascular disease, brain degeneration, ocular disorders, and cancer.14-17
Lipoic acid also suppresses production of inflammatory cell-signaling molecules, while increasing production of molecules involved in vascular tone, such as endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).18,19
Owing to its pronounced power to combat mitochondrial aging, behemoth pharmaceutical companies are now attempting to manipulate its molecular structure and render it patentable.20 Such drugs include more complex molecules in which lipoic acid is “conjugated,” or chemically joined, to form hybrid compounds with additional biological characteristics.
This would allow drug manufacturers to make absurd claims of superior benefit for their artificial, synthetic lipoic acid products. The result would be needless additional cost for what is already a proven multi-modal nutrient.
Lipoic acid in the biologically active “R” form (see below) is readily available without a prescription and affordable.
Use the “Right” form of Lipoic Acid
Lipoic acid comes in two “mirror image” forms labeled “R” and “S.” Only the R form is produced and used by life processes. Inexpensive chemical manufacturing produces equal quantities of R and S lipoic acid, often labeled “R/S Lipoic Acid” or simply “alpha lipoic acid” (ALA).
Newer precision techniques allow production of a pure R-lipoic acid, which has a much higher potency. A dose of pure R-lipoic acid provides twice the active ingredient as a typical R/S-alpha lipoic acid supplement, simply because the whole dose consists of the active “R” molecule. Look for the “R” label to assure you are getting the most potent form of this valuable nutrient.21,22
Cardiovascular Defense
Lipoic acid’s powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering capabilities make it an ideal, multi-targeted nutrient for reducing cardiovascular risk.23,24 Lipoic acid helps protect the endothelium, the delicate, one-cell-thick lining of blood vessels. Additionally, lipoic acid improves blood vessels’ ability to relax, helping to lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, and reduce risk for cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.25-28 Better blood flow in legs can also mean reduced pain with prolonged walking or other exercise.29
Cardiac surgeons are now beginning to recommend lipoic acid, along with other antioxidants such as CoQ10, prior to surgery in order to protect delicate blood vessels during surgery. Improved physical and mental quality of life in such patients has been reported to last for more than a month after the surgery.30
You can use lipoic acid to help lower your risk for cardiovascular disease long before you need cardiac surgery, though. Lipoic acid lowers total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and reduces the size and number of atherosclerotic plaques, the dangerous points of arterial narrowing that produce heart attacks and strokes.23,24,28,31 In addition, lipoic acid may also lower levels of certain cellular toxins that contribute to cardiovascular diseases, especially those related to diabetes.32,33
Even people with pre-existing heart disease can benefit from lipoic acid. Cardiac stents, intended to improve blood flow following a heart attack, can become blocked by formation of unwanted new tissue, an effect that is prevented by lipoic acid supplementation.34 And, lipoic acid prevents death of heart cells exposed to high blood sugar levels, a contributor to diabetic heart disease.35
Targeting Obesity
Lipoic acid has beneficial effects on the forces that cause us to gain weight and store excess fat. It works on brain areas to reduce appetite, food intake, and body weight.36-39 Lipoic acid also stimulates increased energy expenditure, burning excess calories by activating cellular energy signaling complexes.13,36
Overweight and obese people lose their normal sensitivity to insulin, resulting in ever-higher levels of blood sugar and advanced glycation end product–induced tissue damage. Lipoic acid improves insulin sensitivity and stimulates sugar uptake from the blood to help normalize sugar levels.40-43 In the liver, lipoic acid decreases fat production and accumulation, helping to prevent development of dangerous non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).44,45
Lipoic acid has been successfully used in patients taking medications that stimulate weight gain, such as antipsychotic drugs.46 Even in people who are only overweight (not yet obese), lipoic acid reduced body weight by 8% while shrinking waist size by more than 2 inches.47 In patients who are already obese, there was a 9% loss of weight and a decrease in waist size of more than 3 inches.47
What You Need to Know: Lipoic Acid Reverses Mitochondrial Aging
Cells with mitochondria isolated from old animals degenerate far more rapidly than those with mitochondria from young animals.
When supplied with a nutrient regimen that includes lipoic acid, a profound regenerative effect is observed.
Experimental models show that lipoic acid optimizes function of the mitochondria in aging cells and reverses cell aging.
Recent data reveal that lipoic acid specifically targets factors that contribute to mitochondrial aging, dysfunction, and cell death.
Lipoic acid can help to prevent cardiovascular disease, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetic complications.
Lipoic acid protects against nerve and brain cell damage induced by aging and trauma.
New evidence suggests that lipoic acid may also have important cancer-preventive effects, even against some of the most difficult-to-treat malignancies.
An Anti-Diabetic
Lipoic acid has an important role in managing diabetes, particularly the massive oxidative and inflammatory changes the disease produces.48,49 The benefits of lipoic acid include promoting insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake.50-52 Diabetics are at increased risk for the kinds of cardiovascular problems that lipoic acid can prevent, including accumulation of cellular toxins.32,53 By protecting against endothelial damage, lipoic acid reduces the threat of diabetic vascular and kidney complications.26,54
Lipoic acid is proving to be especially effective at preventing the painful and debilitating condition known as diabetic neuropathy, an almost inevitable complication in people with poor blood sugar control.55 Diabetic neuropathy begins with pain, burning, and/or stabbing sensations in the extremities.56 In more advanced stages of this condition, the pain disappears as severe damage is done to microscopic blood vessels. Ultimately the loss of nerve function can lead to open sores, infections, and even amputations. Despite considerable knowledge about how diabetic neuropathy arises, no drug treatment has yet proved effective in preventing or reversing the condition.56
Lipoic acid’s powerful antioxidant actions limit damage to the lining and blood supply of nerves, helping to reduce both symptoms and nerve dysfunction.57 Clinical studies have uniformly demonstrated improvements in pain, numbness, and stinging, while also improving nerve conduction velocity, a measure of how efficiently nerves transmit electrical impulses.58-61 Studies have shown that lipoic acid produces significant improvements when administered for 3 weeks, and longer studies have shown sustained effects.62,63 Lipoic acid also has beneficial effects on circulation in patients with diabetic neuropathy, improving blood flow and the amount of blood reserve available during high demand.64
It’s essential to start early with optimal levels of lipoic acid to prevent diabetic neuropathy. People with good blood sugar control and younger patients do better, as do women, and thinner patients in general.58 While doses of up to 1,800 mg/day are well-tolerated, 600 mg/day of alpha-lipoic acid seems to produce the best results in those with diabetes.59 This translates into a 300 mg dose of R-lipoic acid to obtain the same biological activity.21,22
Protection from Brain Cell Degeneration
Lipoic acid protects brain tissue from the long-term effects of advanced glycation end products and the resulting inflammation and oxidative damage, conditions that lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.9,65,66 A hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the formation of an abnormal protein called amyloid-beta, the result of chronic inflammation and a producer of increased oxidative stress. Lipoic acid reduces amyloid-beta-induced inflammation and improves brain cells’ production of the chemical signaling molecules called neurotransmitters.67,68 Mitochondrial function is significantly impaired in the brains of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease patients and lipoic acid decreases mitochondrial oxidant stress in those cells.69,70
These effects work together with other nutrients like acetyl-L-carnitine, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), phosphatidylserine (PS), and glyceryl-phosphoryl-choline (GPC) to improve cognitive performance.71 Research has shown that lipoic acid prevents cell death in the brain regions most affected in Parkinson’s disease.72 These findings are both good news and important reminders of the need to incorporate lipoic acid early, before symptoms progress in these chronic, debilitating diseases. Lipoic acid may also have an important role in preventing the immune over-response that causes multiple sclerosis, another chronic, progressive brain disease.73-81
By increasing antioxidant capacity, scavenging free radicals, reducing lipid peroxidation, and enhancing energy utilization, lipoic acid may also minimize the damage produced by brain trauma.82 Lipoic acid has shown benefit in preventing trauma-related injuries to the brain, spinal cord, and even peripheral nerves, all of which are vulnerable following a major accident.83-85
Anti-Cancer Mechanisms
Cancer scientists are growing increasingly interested in lipoic acid because cancer cells offer many targets for its anti-inflammatory attributes.86 These attributes allow lipoic acid to intervene at multiple points in the chain of carcinogenesis.86,87 In experimental studies, lipoic acid shows promise against cancers of the blood (leukemia), lung, breast, and liver.88-93 Preliminary research indicates that lipoic acid acts to halt the cell reproductive cycle of cancer cells, slowing or stopping tumor growth.88,89 Lipoic acid may also help induce apoptosis, the programmed cell death that is the body’s natural control mechanism for weeding out nascent cancers.88-93 Lipoic acid also protects against chemical-induced DNA damage that can lead to cancerous transformation.94 Lipoic acid may help prevent metastatic cancer spread by reducing activity of enzymes that tumors use to invade tissues.93 Finally, in those unfortunate enough to require chemotherapy to treat an existing cancer, lipoic acid can afford powerful protection against some of the side effects, such as diarrhea, intestinal cramping, and ulcers, thanks to its antioxidant capabilities.87
Lipoic Acid: Research Update
An abundance of recently published studies reveals a wide range of new findings about lipoic acid:
Weight loss support. Overweight or obese individuals who received 1,800 mg of alpha lipoic acid daily for 20 weeks lost more weight compared with subjects who did not receive lipoic acid.95 This translates into 900 mg of the biologically active R-lipoic acid.
Migraine prevention. Individuals with frequent or poorly controlled migraine attacks who consumed lipoic acid each day displayed a trend toward fewer migraines.96 These findings build on earlier research suggesting a role for lipoic acid in migraine prevention.97
Improving endothelial function. Impaired glucose tolerance contributes to endothelial function, an underlying cause of cardiovascular disease. When lipoic acid was administered to individuals with newly diagnosed impaired fasting glucose, endothelial function improved, as did a marker of oxidative stress.98
Benefits for polycystic ovary syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PC OS) is characterized by hormone imbalances, irregular or absent menstrual periods, and blood sugar and lipid abnormalities. Lean, non-diabetic women with PC OS who consumed 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid daily demonstrated improved insulin sensitivity, decreased triglycerides, and beneficial changes in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and some experienced more regular menstrual periods.99
Relieving back pain. Individuals undergoing rehabilitation therapy for back pain caused by disc compression of nerves who consumed 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid and 360 mg of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) daily experienced greater improvements in nerve pain, compared with patients undergoing rehabilitation alone.100
Preventing steroid-induced osteonecrosis. Corticosteroids such as prednisone threaten bone health and increase fracture risk by impairing blood flow to bone.101 In an animal model, lipoic acid helped prevent steroid-induced osteonecrosis (bone death that increases fracture risk), possibly by reducing oxidative stress and/or by improving endothelial function.102
Decreasing leptin levels. Elevated levels of the fat-secreted hormone leptin are involved in the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Lipoic acid administration to animals decreased circulating leptin and leptin expression in fat tissue.103
Summary
Cells with mitochondria isolated from old animals degenerate far more rapidly than those with mitochondria from young animals, revealing the importance of healthy mitochondria to delay the aging process. When supplied with a nutrient regimen that includes lipoic acid, a profound regenerative effect is observed, including improved metabolic function and significant declines in oxidative stress.
Recent data reveal that lipoic acid specifically targets factors that contribute to mitochondrial aging, dysfunction, and cell death. Lipoic acid can prevent and even mitigate cardiovascular diseases, obesity, insulin resistance, and complications of diabetes. Lipoic acid protects against nerve and brain cell damage induced by aging and trauma.
New evidence suggests that lipoic acid may also have important cancer-preventive effects, even against some of the most difficult-to-treat malignancies.
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=19361
Today's post from podiatrytoday.com (see link below) takes another, more in-depth look at the positive effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid supplements for people living with neuropathy (not just diabetics, as the title suggests). If you use the search button to the right of this blog, you will find many more articles about alpha lipoic acid, often in conjunction with another co-enzyme...Acetyl l-Carnitine. However, most of them just recommend these as supplements for neuropathy sufferers, without really telling us why. This article goes into much more detail regarding research and as such is definitely worth a read. Three points to remember here: 1) not everybody responds to alpha lipoic acid, 2) you need fairly high doses (up to 600mg per day) and 3) although the article suggests it's inexpensive, it can be quite pricey for the higher doses.
The Emerging Role Of Alpha-Lipoic Acid For Diabetic Neuropathy Monday, 06/22/15 | Issue Number: Volume 28 - Issue 7 - July 2015
Author(s): Kevin Ragothaman, BS, and David Shofler, DPM, MSHS
Neuropathy is a common and well-known complication of chronic hyperglycemia due to diabetes mellitus. Distal symmetric polyneuropathy, a form frequently affecting patients with diabetes, characteristically begins in the toes and traverses proximally in symmetric fashion.
Symptoms of this late complication include loss of sensation, vibration sense, temperature sensation and muscle weakness. Often, these patients will describe hot, burning, tingling or throbbing pain that accompanies these symptoms. Those with distal symmetric polyneuropathy also have nighttime pain, which imposes a substantially detrimental effect on their quality of life.1 Researchers have also found increasing age, obesity and peripheral arterial disease to be risk factors for the eventual development of neuropathy.2
There are several strategies for alleviating neuropathic pain. Current mainstays include providing symptomatic treatment with anticonvulsants, such as pregabalin (Lyrica, Pfizer) and gabapentin (Neurontin, Pfizer), or tricyclic antidepressants. However, these medications merely relieve the symptoms and do not alter the actual pathogenetic mechanism of the disease. Furthermore, these medications are associated with adverse effects and contraindications that limit the utility of these drugs.3 Medications that modify disease progression by addressing the underlying cause of symptoms would be useful in providing long-term care for our patients, ideally without side effects.
Oxidative stress and free radical generation are deeply implicated in the development of late diabetic complications. Host antioxidant defenses act to reduce reactive oxygen species that oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria normally produce. Excessive glucose metabolism increases production of these free radicals and persistently high blood glucose causes the body to take up glucose through other pathways that increase free radical formation.
These processes are known to facilitate increased production of acetylated glycation end products (AGEs), protein kinase C and nitric oxide intermediates, which research has linked with microvascular and macrovascular complications involved with nerve degeneration.4 The harmful effects of AGEs occur through intracellular damage and interaction with their receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE). This leads to expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-KB) and consequent production of cytokines and procoagulant factors.5 In fact, authors have specifically shown that AGEs alter structural proteins of peripheral nerve tissue, namely by glycosylation of myelin protein in Schwann cells and modification of its basement membrane proteins.6
Given the influence of chronic hyperglycemia on complications of diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels in patients though lifestyle modification and dietary restriction is essential. However, this principle can be difficult for many patients to attain. Lowering blood sugar may not significantly improve the symptoms of clinical neuropathy in all patients with diabetes and one also needs to consider the occurrence of hypoglycemic episodes with enhanced glucose control for patient safety.7
A Closer Look At The Research On Alpha-Lipoic Acid
When approved therapeutic options fail to alleviate the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy, doctors should consider the use of antioxidants as a supplement. Alpha-lipoic acid is one such endogenously produced molecule that researchers have shown to be a scavenger of certain free radicals and a recycler of other antioxidants.8 The antioxidant properties of this inexpensive over-the-counter medication make it a potential candidate for correcting the underlying pathogenesis of diabetic complications.
Various researchers have studied the clinical use of alpha-lipoic acid for diabetic complications and it has been associated with limited side effects. A meta-analysis conducted in Germany including 1,258 patients analyzed multiple clinical trials that investigated the use of alpha-lipoic acid for distal symmetric polyneuropathy.9 Using intravenous infusion of 600 mg per day for three weeks, Ziegler and colleagues demonstrated improvements in pain and paresthesia as per the Total Symptom Score and improved pinprick sensation, touch pressure sensation and ankle reflexes as per Neuropathy Impairment Scores.10 The authors then evaluated the efficacy and dose-response effects of oral alpha-lipoic acid by using dosages of 600 mg, 1,200 mg and 1,800 mg among three groups for five weeks. They noted a decrease in scores for stabbing and burning pain in all treatment groups, and concluded that the improvement of symptoms was not dose-dependent. Recorded adverse effects, the most common of which was nausea, were dose-dependent.
Ziegler and colleagues expanded upon these short-term findings by orally administering alpha-lipoic acid 600 mg once daily to patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes with distal symmetric polyneuropathy.11 The authors extended the study timeline to four years, making it the longest randomized study of distal symmetric polyneuropathy to date. They found an improvement in certain neuropathic measurements, such as the pinprick test and muscular strength. However, their primary outcome composite score, which mainly included neurophysiologic nerve conduction studies, did not show significant improvement. The authors attributed this to the disease condition being unexpectedly static in the placebo group over the treatment period.
Despite this shortcoming, the authors found that administration of alpha-lipoic acid ameliorated many of the clinical symptoms of distal symmetric polyneuropathy, suggesting an improvement in microvascular blood flow to nerves mediated by the antioxidant effects of the drug.11 This series of work demonstrated promising results in supporting the use of once daily 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid orally in alleviating symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy in patients with both type 1 and 2 diabetes with no serious adverse events.
Authors have specifically investigated the influence of blood glucose on the efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid. While the aforementioned studies excluded patients with HbA1c greater than 10%, recent studies have aimed to reveal the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on those with and without good glycemic control. Ibrahimpasic administered 600 mg IV of alpha-lipoic acid for three weeks and followed this with 600 mg oral for four months.12 The patients had concomitant treatment with insulin and oral anti-diabetes drugs. In regard to the 20 patients with type 2 diabetes in the study, there were two groups: those with HbA1c less than 7% (group one) and those with HbA1c greater than 7% (group two). Both groups reported improvements in their subjective opinion of their condition.
However, Ibrahimpasic found that group one had significant improvement in paresthesia, night leg pain and gait disturbance, suggesting that alpha-lipoic acid treats symptoms of distal symmetric polyneuropathy more effectively when clinicians pair this with better glucose control of the patient with diabetes.12
What You Should Know About The Specific Effects Of Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Numerous studies have gauged the effect of alpha-lipoic acid on other major factors associated with diabetes, including insulin sensitivity and obesity.13,14 Lee and colleagues showed the influence of antioxidants on insulin sensitivity by demonstrating increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscles treated with alpha-lipoic acid.15 In addition, they found that triglyceride content was lower in soleus muscles.
Recent work using high-fat fed obese Zucker rats with a genetic and dietary predilection for obesity and dyslipidemia demonstrated that alpha-lipoic acid provides protection against triglyceride accumulation in the liver.16 A Chinese study involving obese patients with impaired glucose tolerance, putting them at high risk for type 2 diabetes, revealed improved insulin sensitivity and plasma lipid profile with only a two-week regimen of 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid daily.17
Further, an Italian study observed significant decreases in weight, body mass index, blood pressure and abdominal circumference in both pre-obese and obese patients treated with 800 mg alpha-lipoic acid daily for four months.18 Although it is difficult to attain normoglycemia in patients with developed diabetes, an Indian study demonstrated the ability of a variety of antioxidants to decrease HbA1c levels in people with type 2 diabetes after 90 days of administration.19 Patients who received alpha-lipoic acid showed a significant decrease in mean HbA1c from 11.49 to 9.96 percent.
Alpha-lipoic acid has also shown protective effects on the kidneys as demonstrated by a decrease in microalbuminuria in type 2 patients with diabetes after treatment with 600 mg daily alpha-lipoic acid for six months.20 Morcos and colleagues also looked at the beneficial effect of alpha-lipoic acid on endothelial cells in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes, using an increase in unbound plasma thrombomodulin as a marker of endothelial cell damage. Patients treated with daily dosing of 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid had a significant decrease in plasma thrombomodulin after 18 months.21 It is also noteworthy that patients with renal impairment taking alpha-lipoic acid do not require dose adjustment.22
The observed side effects of alpha-lipoic acid have been minimal although Ziegler and coworkers noted nausea, vomiting and vertigo from oral administration.9 Of these side effects, nausea was most common, affecting 13 percent of the group receiving the oral 600 mg daily dosage of alpha-lipoic acid with vertigo affecting 4 percent and vomiting affecting 2 percent of the same group. Recent studies have also reported rare incidents of insulin autoimmune syndrome, characterized by hypoglycemia and high serum insulin levels in genetically predisposed Caucasian and Japanese patients taking alpha-lipoic acid.23
In Conclusion
The antioxidant properties of alpha-lipoic acid have long been known and the potential benefit of the modality in a wide array of diabetic complications is clear. Despite the positive results researchers have observed with alpha-lipoic acid’s effect on the symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, robust evidence showcasing its ability to reverse progression of complications is not yet available. More long-term studies may help gauge the efficacy of the drug, possibly as a supplement to anti-diabetes medication.
Lifestyle modification is another critical factor that patients cannot ignore. Many foods such as broccoli and spinach contain small amounts of alpha-lipoic acid and other antioxidants that patients can easily add to a daily diet. We advise regular monitoring for patients taking 600 mg oral alpha-lipoic acid daily and one should responsibly document their condition. Observe patients for side effects, including episodes of hypoglycemia. Patients should maintain vigilant blood sugar control. With these cautions in mind, alpha-lipoic acid can be a very useful and safe option in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Mr. Ragothaman is a third-year student at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine.
Dr. Shofler is an Assistant Professor at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine.
References
Galer BS, Gianas A, Jensen MP. Painful diabetic polyneuropathy: epidemiology, pain description, and quality of life. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2000;47(2):123-8.
Ziegler D, Rathmann W, Dickhaus T, et al. Neuropathic Pain in Diabetes, Prediabetes and Normal Glucose Tolerance: The MONICA/KORA Augsburg Surveys S2 and S3. Pain Medicine. Pain Med. 2009 Mar;10(2):393-400.
Ziegler D. Painful diabetic neuropathy: treatment and future aspects. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2008;24 (Suppl 1):S52-7.
Johansen JS, Harris AK, Rychly DJ, Ergul A. Oxidative stress and the use of antioxidants in diabetes: linking basic science to clinical practice. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2005;4(1):5.
Mohamed AK, Bierhaus A, Schiekofer S, et al. The role of oxidative stress and NF-kappaB activation in late diabetic complications. Biofactors. 1999;10(2-3):157-67.
Wada R, Yagihashi S. Role of advanced glycation end products and their receptors in development of diabetic neuropathy. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2005;1043:598e604.
Callaghan BC, Little AA, Feldman EL, Hughes RAC. Enhanced glucose control for preventing and treating diabetic neuropathy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD007543.
Packer L, Witt E, and Tritschler HJ. Alpha-Lipoic Acid as a Biological Antioxidant. Free Radical Biology Medicine. 1995;19(2):227-250.
Ziegler D, Ametov A, Barinov A, et al. Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial. Diabetes Care. 2006;29(11):2365-70.
Ziegler D, Nowak H, Kempler P, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: a meta-analysis. Diabet Med. 2004 Feb;21(2):114-21.
Ziegler D, Low PA, Litchy WJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of antioxidant treatment with α-lipoic acid over 4 years in diabetic polyneuropathy: the NATHAN 1 trial. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(9):2054-60.
Ibrahimpasic K. Alpha lipoic acid and glycaemic control in diabetic neuropathies at type 2 diabetes treatment. Med Arch. 2013;67(1):7-9.
Gavin TP, Ernst JM, Caudill SE, et al. Insulin sensitivity is related to glycemic control in type 2 diabetes and diabetes remission after Roux-en Y gastric bypass. Surgery. 2014;155(6):1036-43.
Chaturvedi N. The burden of diabetes andits complications: trends and implications forintervention. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2007;76 Suppl 1:S3-12.
Lee WJ, Song KH, Koh EH, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid increases insulin sensitivity by activating AMPK in skeletal muscle. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005;332(3):885-91.
Carrier B, Wen S, Zigouras S, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid reduces LDL-particle number and PCSK9 concentrations in high-fat fed obese Zucker rats. PLoS One. 2014;9(3):e90863.
Zhang Y, Han P, Wu N, et al. Amelioration of lipid abnormalities by alpha-lipoic acid through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2011 Aug;19(8):1647-53.
Carbonelli MG, Di Renzo L, Bigioni M, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation: a tool for obesity therapy? Curr Pharm Des. 2010;16(7):840-6.
Udupa A, Nahar P, Shah S, et al. A comparative study of effects of omega-3 fatty acids, alpha lipoic acid and vitamin E in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2013;3(3):442-6.
Bao XH, Xu J, Chen Y, et al. Alleviation of podocyte injury: the possible pathway implicated in anti-inflammation of alpha-lipoic acid in type 2 diabetics. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2014; 26(5):483-9.
Morcos M, Borcea V, Isermann B, et al. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on the progression of endothelial cell damage and albuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus: an exploratory study. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2001;52(3):175-83.
Teichert J, Tuemmers T, Achenbach H, et al. Pharmacokinetics of alpha-lipoic acid in subjects with severe kidney damage and end-stage renal disease. J Clin Pharmacol. 2005;45(3):313-28.
Gullo D, Evans JL, Sortino G, et al. Insulin autoimmune syndrome (Hirata Disease) in European Caucasians taking alpha-lipoic acid. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2013; 81(2):204-9.
For further reading, see the DPM Blog “Exploring The Potential Of Alpha Lipoic Acid For Diabetic Neuropathy” by Allen Jacobs, DPM at http://tinyurl.com/9whjlyo .
http://www.podiatrytoday.com/emerging-role-alpha-lipoic-acid-diabetic-neuropathy
Todays' post from tlc.howstuffworks.com (see link below) is another long one but sometimes it's more important to give as much information as possible than just a summary - it's about our health after all. It talks about Alpha Lipoic Acid which is now widely used to help combat the effects of neuropathy, often in combination with another co enzyme Acetyl L-Carnitine. You may not know how or why they work (if indeed they do in your case) but you will be paying quite a lot for them and they're rarely covered by insurance policies. Unfortunately like everything else concerned with treating neuropathy, there are absolutely no guarantees but the sort of information shown here will help both you and your doctor make calculated choices.Alpha Lipoic Acid: What You Need to Knowby Richard Winter
Free radicals. It sounds like something they give away at protest rallies. But in your body, they are cells with unpaired electrons that attack other molecules to achieve stability, damaging the DNA of those molecules and spreading disease.Enter the antioxidant -- compounds the body uses as its defense system to fight free radicals and keep them from setting off chain reactions of cell mutation that can lead to a host of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's [source: Davis]. One antioxidant getting a lot of attention on the free radical fighting scene is Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). Also known as thioctic acid, ALA is naturally produced in the body, as well as absorbed from certain foods we eat, such as red meat, spinach, potatoes, broccoli, yams, carrots, beets and yeast [source: American Cancer Society].For 20 years, ALA supplements have been used to treat HIV, sciatica, cancer, liver problems, hepatitis, strokes, vascular disease, diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, burning mouth syndrome and Alzheimer's. Some doctors believe ALA can even help slow the aging process [source: National Toxicology Program].But because they are not drugs, ALA supplements are not subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. Respected medical journals haven't jumped on the antioxidant bandwagon and more studies are needed to test its effectiveness in humans.In the following sections, you'll learn about some of the research surrounding ALA and how this antioxidant works in the body, along with its benefits, side effects, and impact on weight loss and peripheral neuropathy -- numbness in the hands and feet.Alpha Lipoic Acid and Peripheral NeuropathyPeripheral neuropathy is a condition characterized by pain and numbness in the hands and feet that occurs in patients with diabetes, nerve pressure (from abnormal bone growth or a tumor), vitamin deficiency, kidney or liver disease and alcoholism. Cancer treatment chemicals can also cause it and HIV patients are prone to it [source: Mayo Clinic].More than 20 percent of diabetic patients develop peripheral neuropathy -- the leading cause of lower limb amputation. Oral and intravenous ALA is approved for use in Germany for treatment of diabetic neuropathy and in the U.S., research has shown that ALA may be helpful in treating nerve damage in diabetics and in cancer patients [source: American Cancer Society].In a clinical trial, diabetic patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy who were given 200 mg of ALA intravenously for 21 days reported a reduction in pain. A larger study of diabetics with peripheral neuropathy who were injected with 600 mg of ALA a day for three weeks, followed by 12 weeks of oral supplements, also experienced relief [source: Larsen].A small study in Austria found that more than half of the cancer patients who took ALA after getting the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin reported an improvement in neuropathy symptoms [source: American Cancer Society]. The National Cancer Institute is currently conducting a phase-3 study on ALA's use in preventing peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment [source: Higdon, American Cancer Society].Alpha Lipoic Acid at Work in Your BodyALA is a fatty acid both produced by the body and absorbed from the foods you eat. When it binds to certain proteins, ALA plays an important role in our metabolism -- namely the Krebs cycle, the body's main process for converting carbohydrates into energy. And unlike other antioxidants, ALA is both water and fat soluble, enabling it to work throughout the body. That's why it's found in varying concentrations in all your muscles and internal organs [source: Larsen].Your body typically produces enough ALA for its role in creating energy. But when there's an excess in your system, ALA does not bind to protein and acts as an antioxidant. When in this "free" state, ALA deactivates a wide variety of free radicals, such as heavy metals, circulating through your body. It may also help regenerate other antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E to fight more free radicals [source: Berkeley Wellness Letter].Because we produce less ALA as we age, some researchers believe that taking a supplement may help slow the aging process. ALA, combined with acetyl-L-carnitine, has been touted as an anti-aging and vitality supplement [source: National Toxicology Program].Alpha Lipoic Acid BenefitsMany of the health benefits attributed to ALA supplements are based on lab testing on animals, primarily rats. Whether humans would experience similar results from ALA's antioxidant powers has not been studied enough to produce definite answers.Early animal studies suggest that ALA may help in treating Alzheimer's and other diseases that affect the nervous system [source: Larsen]. Additional studies have shown that a combination of antioxidants (including ALA) has helped cancer patients regain their appetite and weight. While early lab experiments suggest that ALA might cause cancer cells to self-destruct, it is unknown if the same effect can be replicated in animals or humans. Researchers are studying ALA as a possible therapy for reducing the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy. Research is also underway to determine if ALA can help prevent nerve damage that may result from some chemotherapy drugs [source: American Cancer Society].Another potential benefit of ALA is the treatment of diabetes. Although some studies have found that ALA has a positive effect on insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism and diabetic neuropathy, more research is needed to determine whether ALA supplements provide substantial benefits for type 2 diabetes and its complications [source: National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine].ALA supplements may also decrease the buildup of plaque within the arteries. One study found that ALA reduced heart damage caused by chemotherapy drugs. Another found it beneficial in treating cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy -- a condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat that's common in diabetics [source: Higdon, American Cancer Society].There are also reports that ALA may have health benefits in relation to cataracts, seizures, kidney damage and liver disease, but additional studies are necessary before any definite conclusion is drawn. In addition, ALA, like just about any other medication or supplement, is not without its side effects.Alpha Lipoic Acid Side EffectsResearch has shown that patients can take 300 to 600 milligrams of ALA a day with relatively few side effects, such as skin rashes, stomachaches, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. However, the jury is still out on the long-term effects of taking ALA supplements. Anyone with pre-existing medical conditions should exercise caution. Children are not advised to take ALA. Pregnant and nursing women should consult their doctors before taking it.Diabetics who take ALA must monitor their blood sugar levels carefully, because the supplements may lower blood glucose levels [source: National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine].ALA may also lower levels of thyroid hormone and thyroid-regulating medications (Levothyroxine). Hormone levels should be monitored closely for those taking thyroid hormones and ALA supplements [source: University of Maryland Medical Center]. There is also concern that ALA might interfere with radiation therapy or chemotherapy by making the treatments less effective [source: American Cancer Society].Unlike prescription drugs, supplements like ALA capsules don't have to be approved by the FDA before they are released on the market. Nor are they tested for their adverse affects when taken with other medication. In 2005, supplements accounted for almost 24,000 calls to U.S. poison control centers [source: American Cancer Society]. That's why it's always best to check with your doctor before taking any herbal remedy.Alpha Lipoic Acid and Weight LossIf you have a rat with a weight problem, ALA supplements might help get rid of some of that cheese you feed him. But if you're a human looking to slim down for bikini season, you should probably stick with your diet and exercise plan. At this point, ALA hasn't proven its effects on the human body.Recent studies have shown ALAs can regulate metabolism and inhibit the metabolism of fat in the liver. Unfortunately, those findings are based on lab experiments involving cultured rat liver cells and skeletal muscles -- not bathing beauties [source: Treadwell]. So, there's no indication the same results would occur in humans.One study conducted at the University of Ulsan College of Medicine in Seoul, Korea, found that ALA decreases the activity of fuel sensors in rats, causing the rodents to eat less and expend more energy, resulting in "profound" weight loss [source: National Center for Biotechnology Information]. But until the same effect is observed in humans, there's probably no point in popping an ALA supplement to achieve weight loss.The bottom line is further research is necessary concerning ALA's effects on humans in regard to its use for weight loss. In general, it's always best to use extreme caution when taking supplements. And if you do decide to incorporate ALA or any other supplement into your diet, be sure to share that information with your physician.http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/alpha-lipoic-acid.htm
A rather long post today but lots of reliable information is better than none at all, or a brief summary. Alpha Lipoic Acid has been talked about before on the blog but this very well sourced, article from health.howstuffworks.com (see link below) takes a comprehensive and objective look at one of the most commonly recommended supplements to help with neuropathic problems and points out very clearly that nobody knows what the long-term effects of long-term use of ALA actually are. I have taken it myself, along with Acetyl L-Carnitine, over 2 or 3 years but because it is very expensive, I have never taken the high daily doses that are recommended. To be honest, I can't say that I've noticed any significant improvement but (you may recognise this syndrome!) am afraid to stop, in case the condition gets worse. The thinking is, that if I hadn't taken it, the neuropathy might be much worse than it already is...hmmm...desperate much? However, after reading all this information, I may have to reconsider taking Alpha Lipoic Acid, or at least stopping for a while to see if there's any difference. This is not to say that ALA is a bad thing - for many people it has been proved to be beneficial but as always, if you're armed with the facts, you can make much better decisions.
Alpha Lipoic Acid: What You Need to Know
By Richard Winter
Free radicals. It sounds like something they give away at protest rallies. But in your body, they are cells with unpaired electrons that attack other molecules to achieve stability, damaging the DNA of those molecules and spreading disease.
Enter the antioxidant -- compounds the body uses as its defense system to fight free radicals and keep them from setting off chain reactions of cell mutation that can lead to a host of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's [source: Davis].
One antioxidant getting a lot of attention on the free radical fighting scene is Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). Also known as thioctic acid, ALA is naturally produced in the body, as well as absorbed from certain foods we eat, such as red meat, spinach, potatoes, broccoli, yams, carrots, beets and yeast [source: American Cancer Society].
For 20 years, ALA supplements have been used to treat HIV, sciatica, cancer, liver problems, hepatitis, strokes, vascular disease, diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, burning mouth syndrome and Alzheimer's. Some doctors believe ALA can even help slow the aging process [source: National Toxicology Program].
But because they are not drugs, ALA supplements are not subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. Respected medical journals haven't jumped on the antioxidant bandwagon and more studies are needed to test its effectiveness in humans.
In the following sections, you'll learn about some of the research surrounding ALA and how this antioxidant works in the body, along with its benefits, side effects, and impact on weight loss and peripheral neuropathy --and numbness in the hands and feet.
First, let's investigate how Alpha Lipoic Acid works in your body.
ALA is a fatty acid both produced by the body and absorbed from the foods you eat. When it binds to certain proteins, ALA plays an important role in our metabolism -- namely the Krebs cycle, the body's main process for converting carbohydrates into energy. And unlike other antioxidants, ALA is both water and fat soluble, enabling it to work throughout the body. That's why it's found in varying concentrations in all your muscles and internal organs [source: Larsen].
Your body typically produces enough ALA for its role in creating energy. But when there's an excess in your system, ALA does not bind to protein and acts as an antioxidant. When in this "free" state, ALA deactivates a wide variety of free radicals, such as heavy metals, circulating through your body. It may also help regenerate other antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E to fight more free radicals [source: Berkeley Wellness Letter].
Because we produce less ALA as we age, some researchers believe that taking a supplement may help slow the aging process. ALA, combined with acetyl-L-carnitine, has been touted as an anti-aging and vitality supplement [source: National Toxicology Program]. To learn more about the benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid, read on.
Alpha Lipoic Acid Benefits
Many of the health benefits attributed to ALA supplements are based on lab testing on animals, primarily rats. Whether humans would experience similar results from ALA's antioxidant powers has not been studied enough to produce definite answers.
Early animal studies suggest that ALA may help in treating Alzheimer's and other diseases that affect the nervous system [source: Larsen]. Additional studies have shown that a combination of antioxidants (including ALA) has helped cancer patients regain their appetite and weight. While early lab experiments suggest that ALA might cause cancer cells to self-destruct, it is unknown if the same effect can be replicated in animals or humans. Researchers are studying ALA as a possible therapy for reducing the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy. Research is also underway to determine if ALA can help prevent nerve damage that may result from some chemotherapy drugs [source: American Cancer Society].
Another potential benefit of ALA is the treatment of diabetes. Although some studies have found that ALA has a positive effect on insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism and diabetic neuropathy, more research is needed to determine whether ALA supplements provide substantial benefits for type 2 diabetes and its complications [source: National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine].
ALA supplements may also decrease the build up of plaque within the arteries. One study found that ALA reduced heart damage caused by chemotherapy drugs. Another found it beneficial in treating cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy -- a condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat that's common in diabetics [source: Higdon, American Cancer Society].
There are also reports that ALA may have health benefits in relation to cataracts, seizures, kidney damage and liver disease, but additional studies are necessary before any definite conclusion is drawn. In addition, ALA, like just about any other medication or supplement, is not without its side effects. Read on to find out more about ALA's side effects.
Alpha Lipoic Acid Side Effects
Research has shown that patients can take 300 to 600 milligrams of ALA a day with relatively few side effects, such as skin rashes, stomach aches, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. However, the jury is still out on the long-term effects of taking ALA supplements. Anyone with pre-existing medical conditions should exercise caution. Children are not advised to take ALA. Pregnant and nursing women should consult their doctors before taking it.
Diabetics who take ALA must monitor their blood sugar levels carefully, because the supplements may lower blood glucose levels [source: National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine].
ALA may also lower levels of thyroid hormone and thyroid-regulating medications (Levothyroxine). Hormone levels should be monitored closely for those taking thyroid hormones and ALA supplements [source: University of Maryland Medical Center]. There is also concern that ALA might interfere with radiation therapy or chemotherapy by making the treatments less effective [source: American Cancer Society].
Unlike prescription drugs, supplements like ALA capsules don't have to be approved by the FDA before they are released on the market. Nor are they tested for their adverse affects when taken with other medication. In 2005, supplements accounted for almost 24,000 calls to U.S. poison control centers [source: American Cancer Society]. That's why it's always best to check with your doctor before taking any herbal remedy.
Read on to learn how ALA may help you lose weight
If you have a rat with a weight problem, ALA supplements might help get rid of some of that cheese you feed him. But if you're a human looking to slim down for bikini season, you should probably stick with your diet and exercise plan. At this point, ALA hasn't proven its effects on the human body.
Recent studies have shown ALAs can regulate metabolism and inhibit the metabolism of fat in the liver. Unfortunately, those findings are based on lab experiments involving cultured rat liver cells and skeletal muscles -- not bathing beauties [source: Treadwell]. So, there's no indication the same results would occur in humans.
One study conducted at the University of Ulsan College of Medicine in Seoul, Korea, found that ALA decreases the activity of fuel sensors in rats, causing the rodents to eat less and expend more energy, resulting in "profound" weight loss [source: National Center for Biotechnology Information]. But until the same effect is observed in humans, there's probably no point in popping an ALA supplement to achieve weight loss.
The bottom line is further research is necessary concerning ALA's effects on humans in regard to its use for weight loss. In general, it's always best to use extreme caution when taking supplements. And if you do decide to incorporate ALA or any other supplement into your diet, be sure to share that information with your physician.
Next up, learn about ALA's effect on numbness and tingling, or peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition characterized by pain and numbness in the hands and feet that occurs in patients with diabetes, nerve pressure (from abnormal bone growth or a tumor), vitamin deficiency, kidney or liver disease and alcoholism. Cancer treatment chemicals can also cause it and HIV patients are prone to it [source: Mayo Clinic].
More than 20 percent of diabetic patients develop peripheral neuropathy -- the leading cause of lower limb amputation. Oral and intravenous ALA is approved for use in Germany for treatment of diabetic neuropathy and in the U.S., research has shown that ALA may be helpful in treating nerve damage in diabetics and in cancer patients [source: American Cancer Society].
In a clinical trial, diabetic patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy who were given 200 mg of ALA intravenously for 21 days reported a reduction in pain. A larger study of diabetics with peripheral neuropathy who were injected with 600 mg of ALA a day for three weeks, followed by 12 weeks of oral supplements, also experienced relief [source: Larsen].
A small study in Austria found that more than half of the cancer patients who took ALA after getting the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin reported an improvement in neuropathy symptoms [source: American Cancer Society]. The National Cancer Institute is currently conducting a phase-3 study on ALA's use in preventing peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment [source: Higdon, American Cancer Society].
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/alternative/alpha-lipoic-acid.htm
The two most commonly advised supplements (along with vitamin B-12) to help with neuropathy, are Acetyl L-Carnitine and the subject of today's post: Alpha Lipoic Acid. This helpful article from naturalnews.com (see link below) goes into detail as to the antioxidant qualities of Alpha Lipoic Acid and gives good advice regarding dosage and whether you should buy synthetic or the 'real' product.
Two things worth mentioning are; that although most neurologists and doctors have seen beneficial results with ALA and have little hesitation in approving patient use (especially in combination with Acetyl L-Carnitine) these supplements are rarely covered by insurance policies and are invariably expensive to buy, (especially in the doses generally recommended as being useful), without any guarantee of results. Problem is, the price is driven up by the fact that it's widely sold in sports supplement shops and is also claimed to be an anti-aging aid (hmm!!). Many people turn to supplements when the standard treatment doesn't work as well as hoped but in these financially difficult times it's definitely not an easy choice.
Alpha Lipoic Acid: The Multi-Tasking Supplement
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 by: Teya Skae M.A. ATMS
If there is one highly competent, yet underrated supplement, it would have to be Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). ALA is not to be confused with the alpha-linolenic acid (also called ALA) found in flax, canola oil and walnuts. Lipoic acid, or thioctic acid is slowly being recognized for its ability to assist the body in a number of significant energy production and physiological functions. For this reason it deserves the title of a multi-tasking supplement.
Let's have a look at why…
Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is naturally produced in the body; hence, it is often called a metabolic antioxidant. First discovered in the 1930's, it was not until the 1950's that researchers began to take an interest in lipoic acid as a serious supplement. As a result of these studies, lipoic acid was labeled a 'universal' antioxidant. Why? Because it helps to recycle other important antioxidants such as, vitamin C and E, in the body. Remember, antioxidants are the good guys that assist the body from oxidizing too much and too quickly, due to over production of free radicals – a very common physiological phenomena that results from stress, metabolic wastes and physical exercise. As we know, too much free radical damage causes inflammation, heart disease and premature aging. The only way to halt this process is to ensure the body has plenty of bioavailable antioxidants to counteract the free radical damage.
What is so special about Lipoic Acid?
Unlike other antioxidants which are either fat soluble or water soluble, lipoic acid simultaneously acts as both a fat and a water-soluble antioxidant in the body. This allows it to be easily absorbed and transported across cell membranes. This unique quality of lipoic acid offers protection against free radicals both inside and outside the cell, whereas other antioxidants only provide protection outside the cells and not inside, where a lot of action takes place.
In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid helps the body use glucose; hence, it is useful in lowering blood sugar levels and in the management of diabetes.
Diabetes Mellitus is a degenerative condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood. Glucose (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream as a result of the body's inability to produce insulin (which regulates blood/sugar levels) or the inability of insulin in the body to control sugar levels.
This is where lipoic acid is of benefit, as studies have shown that lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose (sugar) from the blood in people with diabetes.
Lipoic acid functions as a co-factor for a number of important enzymes responsible for the conversion of our food to energy, known as Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP). ATP is required to provide energy for cellular function and is the energy source our muscles use for short bursts of power.
Over the past few years, the pace of research into lipoic acid has increased dramatically. In 1995, Lester Packer, PhD, a professor of molecular biology at the University of California, Berkeley, published a lengthy review article on alpha-lipoic acid in Free Radical Biology & Medicine (1995;19:227-50). In April 1996, he presented a short review of it in the same journal (FRBM;20:625-6).
According to Professor Packer, lipoic acid "could have far-reaching consequences in the search for prevention and therapy of chronic degenerative conditions".
Several studies suggest that treatment with lipoic acid may help reduce pain, burning, itching, tingling, and numbness in people who have nerve damage (called peripheral neuropathy) caused by diabetes. Lipoic acid has been used for years for this purpose in Europe.
The fact that lipoic acid has a beneficial impact on diabetic neuropathy is also supported by other leading doctors in this field such as Dr. Ira D. Goldfine, director, Division of Diabetes & Endocrine Research, Mount Zion Medical Center, University of California San Francisco. However, the current oral formulations of lipoic acid are not of therapeutic value, and typically remain in the blood only a very short time, requiring either multiple daily doses or intravenous infusions. While more clinical studies are needed with controlled-release oral formulations of alpha-lipoic acid, it is already evident that such preparations should be very helpful for diabetics suffering from neuropathy.
For well over 30 years physicians in Germany have been clinically treating diabetics with lipoic acid and in Germany to date, alpha-lipoic acid is an approved medical treatment for peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes. This is due to the fact that lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose from the bloodstream, at least partly by enhancing insulin function, and it reduces insulin resistance, an underpinning of many cases of coronary heart disease and obesity. However, we need to note that the therapeutic dose for lipoic acid is 600 mg/day. In the United States, it is sold as a dietary supplement, usually as 50 mg tablets. In Australia it is usually 100mg as either S-Alpha Lipoic Acid, a synthetic, or R-S Alpha Lipoic Acid, a mixture of real and synthetic. Definitely not the therapeutic dose needed to provide the results that the German physicians are accustomed to working with.
How to get the best sources?
Even though our bodies are capable of manufacturing lipoic acid, we still need to get additional supply from our diet or from supplements. In nature, the richest food source of alpha-lipoic acid is red meat, other sources include, spinach, broccoli, yeast (particularly Brewer's yeast), and certain organ meats (such as kidney and heart).
The two types of Alpha Lipoic acid
Not all lipoic acid supplements are the same; this is the sad bit about this wonderful antioxidant. Most of the Lipoic Acid on the market in Australia is not pure lipoic acid, known as R- Alpha Lipoic Acid. There is a pure R form of lipoic acid on the market but, it is a practitioner product and, you would need to ask for it specifically, otherwise we are wasting our money on the S form of lipoic acid, (S-Alpha Lipoic Acid), which is synthetic. A number of health supplement companies make a mixture of real and synthetic lipoic acid displayed on the label as R,S – Alpha Lipoic Acid. This means that you are buying both the natural and the synthetic form of lipoic in one. The only drawback is that you would not know how much of the R or S is in the formula.
As consumers, we have a lot of power in relation to the formulations of the supplements. All it takes is for us to be wiser and more selective. As supply and demand still dictates quality and quantity, if we only choose to use the R form lipoic acid, companies will inevitably succumb to this demand, in order to ensure their sales stay up and not down. When it comes to our health and supplements we deserve the highest and best quality and standards in supplements, otherwise there is no point in taking these supplements as we are not getting what we need!
The other advantage of taking the R form only is that we would use a smaller dose; 50 mg of R-Lipoic Acid is equivalent to 100 mg of synthetic lipoic acid. A further advantage is that the body assimilates the R form much more readily than the S form.
There is a clear advantage in adding the multi-tasking lipoic acid supplement to our health regime; first, it recycles other antioxidants, the good guys who halt premature ageing as well as degenerative conditions and, secondly, lipoic acid improves blood sugar levels in our blood and energy production in our muscles However, the wonderful advantages from lipoic come only from the R-form. Even if our diet is high in red meat and spinach taking a little extra lipoic acid would prove beneficial for anyone who is active, lives a full life, likes occasional sweets and even if they do not have blood sugar irregularities, having an antioxidant recycling facility in our bodies would be a good start towards wellness and longevity.
http://www.naturalnews.com/025150_lipoic_acid_antioxidant_supplement.html
