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Alpha Lipoic Acid
What Is Alpha Lipoic Acid?
Alpha-lipoic acid (also called lipoic acid or thioctic acid) is a sulfur-containing substance that is readily converted to and from its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid acts as a coenzyme in reactions that occur in the Krebs cycle; specifically it is involved in the decarboxylation of pyruvate and some other alpha-keto acids.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant able to deactivate both fat- and water-soluble free radicals and thereby protect both lipoproteins and membranes. No other single antioxidant can do this, making alpha-lipoic acid the premier antioxidant.
Who Should Consider Alpha Lipoic Acid?
Your body does in fact manufacture Alpha Lipoic Acid, but supplementing it may provide benefits beyond its involvement in carbohydrate metabolism. For example, Alpha Lipoic Acid is able to deactivate both fat and water soluble free radicals and thereby protect both lipoproteins and membranes; no other single antioxidant can do this.
Take a look at this list of fat and water soluble reactive oxygen species (ROS) ("ROS" is an umbrella term that includes both radicals and other chemicals that, while not technically radicals, are damaging to the body):
Hydrogen atom
Peroxyl
Peroxynitrate
Hydroxyl
Alkoxyl
Superoxide anion
Semiquinone
Trichloromethyl
Nitric oxide
Singlet oxygen
Hydrogen peroxide
Note that the last two are not radicals, that is, they do not have an unpaired electron, yet they are Reactive Oxygen Species. Alpha Lipoic Acid "quenches" the oxygen singlet, hydroxyl, and superoxide species, while its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid, stabilizes the peroxyl and peroxynitrate radicals. Both forms (initial and reduced) regenerate through redox cycling other antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E, and increase intracellular glutathione levels.1 Please see our selenium page for more on glutathione. The hydroxyl radical is considered to be the most damaging; peroxynitrate is perhaps a close second. Lipoprotein peroxidation is important to stop because this is the reaction that leads to such undesirable health problems as atherosclerosis.
Side Effects
It is not recommended to take Alpha-Lipoic Acid manufactured in a two-part hard-shell gelatin or vegicap. There is a chance, albeit small, that a two-part capsule will open when being swallowed; the contents can burn the esophagus. To reduce this risk, we offer enteric-coated tablets and sealed softgel capsules. Although a bit more expensive, these are better forms for this product. Do not cut open the softgel capsules thinking it will be easier to swallow the contents alone. Also, if you have two-part hard-shell capsules from another manufacturer, do not open them. Our tablets are small and easy to swallow.
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Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials
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This website and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a properly trained medical practitioner for medical advice.
