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Alpha Lipoic Acid Information page
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant
that prevents free-radical damage
AIthough there have been hundreds of studies over 40 years revealing how lipoic acid
energizes metabolism, the new excitement about this vitamin-like substance can be seen in
the many recent studies focusing on how it improves the physique, combats free radicals,
protects our genetic material, slows aging, helps protect against heart disease, cancer
and many other diseases, according to Richard A. Passwater, Ph.D., In Lipoic Acid: The
Metabolic Antioxidant.
"Both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetics will be excited to learn
that lipoic acid has been used for nearly 30 years in Europe to treat diabetic neuropathy,
help regulate blood sugar and prevent diabetic retinopathy and cardiopathy,"
Passwater says. "Lipoic acid not only protects the nervous system, but also may be
involved In regenerating nerves. It is also being studied in the treatment of Parkinson's
disease and Alzheimer's disease."
Although we make some lipoic acid in our bodies, it is usually not enough, so we rely on
food - potatoes, red meat, etc.- to supply what we need for optimal health. Alpha-lipoic
acid supplements are now available In health food stores to insure a sufficient intake of
the nutrient.
Passwater adds that lipoic acid's antioxidant function is of major importance, since
antioxidant nutrients help protect the body against the damage that can cause heart
disease, cancer, aging and about 80 other diseases. This damage is caused by free
radicals, those undesirable byproducts of metabolism.
Interaction with vitamins C & E
Another function of lipoic acid is that it both interacts with its antioxidant
partners‹vitamin E and vitamin C‹and also helps to conserve them. When the body
is deficient in lipoic acid, the other antioxidants do not properly network together.
"Lipoic acid has also been used for decades to protect the liver and to detoxify the
body of heavy metal pollutants, such as excessive iron and copper and toxic metals such as
cadmium, lead and mercury," Passwater continues. One of the most exciting recent
developments is that lipoic acid appears to help slow the progression of HIV-infection to
clinical AIDS."
It appears that alpha-lipoic acid, alone or together with vitamin E, is an effective
treatment for radiation exposure, lessening indices of oxidative damage and normalizing
organ function, according to Lester Packer, Ph.D., et al. in Free Radical Biology and
Medicine 1995. This therapy has been effective In treating children living in areas
affected by the Chernobyl accident in the former Sovlet Unlon.
Neither animal nor human studies, so far, have shown serious side effects with the use of
alpha-lipoic acid, Packer says. However, it is not recommended for pregnant women without
proper supervision. Since it may interfere with vitamin B-1 utilization, a thiamine
supplement may be warranted if lipoic acid is given to thiamine-deficient individuals,
such as alcoholics.
Protection from cataract formation
Writing in a previous issue of Free Radical Biology and Medicine, I. Maitra, et al.,
reported that, when lab animals were treated with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), all
developed cataracts. But supplementation with lipoic acid protected 60 percent of the
BSO-treated animals from cataract formation.
Maitra and colleagues added that concentrations of glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E,
which decrease after BSO administration, were restored to levels similar to the controls.
Lipoic acid also restored the protein complexes glutathione peroxidase and catalase, as
well as ascorbate freeradlcal reductase activities, in the lens of the animals.
Hans-J. Tritschler, Ph.D., a well-known researcher of lipoic acid, says that the substance
is a very important cofactor for glucose metabolism. And, since it is both fat- and
water-soluble, it is the missing link between vitamin E and vitamin C metabolism.
"Since there isn't an overwhelming amount of alpha-lipoic acid In our bodies, an
expert panel has recommended 50 mg/day as a preventive measure against diseases caused by
free-radical attacks,'' Tritschler says.