Alpha lipoic acid or lipoic acid is one of the substances that protect the body from free radical-producing molecules. Without Alpha-lipoic acid, free radicals will form a chemical reaction that can lead to the emergence of diseases, such as stroke. Alpha-lipoic acid is a natural antioxidant that can be found in potatoes, spinach, broccoli, liver, kidney, and yeast.
Alpha-lipoic acid together with the other contents are used to treat various diseases. The workings of these substances is to prevent cell damage. This substance also restore levels of vitamin E and C in the body. Research shows Alpha-lipoic acid may improve the conduction and nerve cell function in patients with diabetes. So what are the benefits of Alpha-lipoic acid entirely?
In this article, will be discussed in detail about the Alpha-lipoic acid with a list of presentation as follows:
- Benefits of Alpha lipoic acid
- Alpha lipoic acid dose
- Who is recommended to consume
- Alpha lipoic acid Side effects
If you find this interesting, let’s discuss more.
Benefits of Alpha-lipoic acid
- Diabetes.
People with diabetes have low insulin levels in the body. Insulin useful to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. Alpha-lipoic acid helps reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics and balancing blood sugar in people without diabetes. However, for people with diabetes, it is better to consult with your doctor before taking Alpha-lipoic acid.
- Liver Regeneration
Drinking excessive alcohol can cause liver health condition declined and is hard to recover. Alpha-lipoic acid can overcome the problem of liver regeneration by helping to produce glutathione, a liver meal. However, too many use can cause side effects on the liver.
- Hypertension.
High blood pressure is a condition that must be treated immediately if you do not want to damage other organs such as the heart and lungs. Alpha lipoic acid will improve blood flow and circulation while strengthening the heart muscle and blood vessels.
- Glaucoma.
Some studies have found that Alpha-lipoic acid helps in the treatment of glaucoma, a disease that attacks the optic nerve. Glaucoma is a disease of the eye in which the fluid pressure inside the eye becomes too high, thus damaging the soft fibers of the optic nerve that carries visual signals from the eye to the brain.
- Inhibits aging
One of the most attractive benefits potentially associated with Alpha Lipoic Acid is to help slow the aging process. Although certainly need more research done on this topic.
- Protecting the brain
Alpha Lipoic Acid is also believed to have acted as a protector of the brain or neurons. Damage can occur in parts of the brain due to injury, malnutrition, or even conditions such as alcoholism and thyroid problems in their severity can be reduced or even reversed through supplementation. When Alpha Lipoic Acid is used earlier, then there is evidence even suggests that it works better. Brain function is also supported by the Alpha Lipoic Acid. These supplements are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and enter the central nervous system directly. Besides its can to restoring the health of brain cells and nerves, the action of Alpha Lipoic Acid is expected to improve communication between neurons.
- Protect from oxidative stress
Protection against oxidative stress is another great benefit of this supplement. It is one of the biggest problems associated with diabetes. High glucose levels also contribute to this problem. Fortunately, Alpha Lipoic Acid is able to neutralize free radicals and oxidative stress. It also makes the action of other anti-oxidants such as vitamin C and E are far more effective to help the rid of toxins and poisons. Moreover, even amplifies the effects of CoQ10 and glutathione, which is considered an important compound in the fight against aging, infection, and disease.
- Fixing scars
Alpha Lipoic Acid have benefit for skin cells and improve skin texture and wrinkles. In one study, Alpha Lipoic Acid has a high potential to reduce wrinkles and fine lines in the skin by up to 50 percent. In another study, lipoic acid can significantly help improve some types of scars. Alpha Lipoic Acid, may be one of the mainstays of current skin care products as an anti-aging.
Unfortunately, although the skin care products that use the ALA content of the breed, they are still rather expensive. But this is outweighed by the benefits that provided, as Alpha-lipoic acid easily fit into the whole side of the skin cells. Due to this quality, alpha-lipoic acid may provide more protection than other antioxidants to fight free radicals that can cause skin damage.
- Extend the capabilities of other vitamin antioxidants
Alpha Lipoic Acid is able to regenerate and renew the antioxidant glutathione, coenzyme Q10, vitamin C and vitamin E. Alpha Lipoic Acid is able to regenerate oxidized vitamin C and E. Alpha Lipoic Acid reduces dehydro-ascorbic acid is formed when vitamin C oxidized, thus Alpha Lipoic Acid also reduces oxidized tocopherol. Alpha Lipoic Acid also able to reduce the oxidized form of coenzyme Q10. Alpha Lipoic Acid antioxidant has ability to regenerate other antioxidants.
- Preventing cancer cells
Alpha Lipoic Acid can suppress the inflammatory response by inhibiting the molecular signaling pathways that are activated by proinflammatory cytokines. Tumor necrosis factor pathway activates nuclear factor which is a mediator of inflammatory responses and gene-activating enzymes encodings. It makes Alpha Lipoic Acid is widely used in anti-cancer research. For example, in vitro studies, where normal cells into cancer cells of mice stimulated by administration of BAP, known provision of Alpha Lipoic Acid can prevent cancer cells become invasive.
- Neutralize heavy metals
In addition to neutralizing free radicals, Alpha Lipoic Acid can also bind to and disable heavy metals such as iron-free (free iron), cadmium, magnesium, copper, mercury, zinc, nickel, cobalt, arsenic, manganese and lead. Alpha Lipoic Acid is hydrophilic and lipophilic (amphipathic), which allows it to reach every part of cells, including the mitochondria. The number of Alpha Lipoic Acid ability as an antioxidant, making Alpha Lipoic Acid is considered as a potent antioxidant.
- Eliminating folliculogenesis by the smoke
Various studies in vivo and in vitro have been conducted to test the protective effects and quality Alpha Lipoic Acid as an antioxidant in diseases associated with oxidative stress and aging. Oxidative stress caused by smoke of cigarette may disrupt the self-repair mechanisms in the mitochondria and triggers autophagy process prolonged in granulosa cells. This causes the death of granulosa cells, and the effect of hampering folliculogenesis. In vitro studies at cultured preantral follicles of the ovaries of mice, proving Alpha Lipoic Acid can improve follicular development. Repair follicle development allegedly due to lower levels of SOR and total antioxidant capacity in the follicles.
- Lose weight
Is there a relationship between Alpha Lipoic Acid and weight loss? The weight problem is caused by the body’s limited ability to store glycogen, and also to the accumulation of fat in the body. The solution to losing weight is to increase the intake of glucose into muscle. Insulin is the only hormone that can do this, for the body needs something that can mimic insulin so that glucose more leverage used by the muscles. Alpha Lipoic Acid is a perfect imitator insulin. When the storage of glycogen in the body is full and insulin works to convert excess sugar as fat, naturally Alpha Lipoic Acid will soon emulate as insulin. When the sender of glycogen increases, the amount of glucose into the muscle will increase and lead to reduced fat deposits.
Very impressive to know how a molecule is relatively small and simple as lipoic acid turned out to have a myriad of functions for the continuity of optimal body system. Therefore, keep the level of Alpha Lipoic Acid in the body is essential for maintaining optimal health of our bodies.
Alpha Lipoic Acid Dosage
Generally, the doses for Alpha Lipoic Acid is about 200 to 600 mg per day. It also really depends on your intended use. For example, as a general anti-oxidants, you might better using a much lower dose, somewhere in the range of 50 to 100 mg. Here Dose Alpha-lipoic Acid:
- Treating diabetic neuropathy, the dose is about 600 mg as much as 1-3 times per day
- As a supplement for people with diabetes, the dose is about 600-1200 mg 1 times per day
- As an antioxidant, the dose is 600 mg per day
Alpha-lipoic acid can be taken thirty minutes before meals, without chewing or destroyed, the initial starting dose of 600 mg. This doses is either as a supplement or as a stand-alone drug. The maintenance dose, further doses and frequency of consumption of alpha-lipoic acid can vary according to the physical needs based on age, health condition, and the patient’s response to drugs.
Alpha-lipoic acid in a cream applied in moderation in the face and neck area. Note the dose on the packaging before you are taking alpha-lipoic acid.
Suggested Supplements Consuming Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha Lipoic Acid is highly recommended to be consumed by people over the age of 40 years, because of the increasing age of meal production Alpha Lipoic Acid in the body will decrease. Vegetarians are encouraged to consume Alpha Lipoic Acid because they do not eat meat is a major source of Alpha Lipoic Acid. In addition, patients with certain medical conditions as mentioned before are also recommended to consume ALA supplements with the supervision of a doctor.
Alpha Lipoic Acid Side Effects
Although Alpha Lipoic Acid is generally considered very safe and well tolerated in healthy people, there are some side effects that have been associated with its use. They are quite mild and can include skin rashes, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. There also has been no determination of a clear cut for long-term side effects that can result from taking Alpha Lipoic Acid. So far, no cases of poisoning associated with taking too much of these supplements have occurred.
Besides the above there is also a warning of things to keep in mind that:
- Women who planning to pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding and children can consume this drug with a doctor’s permission.
- Diabetics who in care program are advised to not consume these medications without consulting a doctor because it can cause blood sugar levels become too low.
- People with thyroid disease who are in care program cope with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
Other side effects that may appear are muscle cramps, headaches, and a needle sensation on the skin. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms or other symptoms are unusual for the treatment of alpha-lipoic acid.