Alpha lipoic acid, also known as "lipoic acid" is a powerful, natural antioxidant becoming recognized as having many benefits in the therapy and prevention of a broad range of diseases. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid helps the body use glucose, hence alpha lipoic acid's potential role in improving blood sugar control. Alpha lipoic acid reduces complications from a high sugar diet. Lipoic acid is readily absorbed from the diet or as a supplement. Lipoic Acid has a variety of benefits, particularly for diabetics.

R Alpha Lipoic Acid, formulated by a medical doctor

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid. R-ALA is much more potent (2 times on average) than commonly sold synthetic lipoic acid which contains both the R and S forms of lipoic acid. The S form is chemically the mirror image of the R form of lipoic acid and is not useful to the body.

R Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplement Facts
R Alpha Lipoic Acid - 50 mg

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Conditions where Alpha Lipoic acid may be helpful
Research in humans with lipoic acid is still incomplete. However, lipoic acid may be of benefit in a variety of medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease. For more lipoic info.

Alpha Lipoic Acid beefit as an Antioxidant
Lipoic acid can regenerate vitamin C from its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid. Lipoic acid can also potentially regenerate other antioxidants. Lipoic acid increases the levels of glutathione, a very important antioxidant normally found in our cells and responsible for mopping up all types of toxins and free radicals. Glutathione supplements, however, are not helpful since glutathione does not have the ability to cross cell membranes. Fortunately, both laboratory and animal studies have shown that lipoic acid can stimulate the production of this antioxidant. This is particularly important during periods of excessive stress or exposure to radiation or toxic substances. Lipoic acid also acts as a powerful antioxidant in the brain and is likely to protect brain cells from toxins.

Alpha lipoic acid benefits liver and kidneys from acetaminophen toxicity
The potential protective role of alpha-lipoic acid against acetaminophen-induced hepatic and renal damage.
Toxicology. 2007 October. Department of Pharmacolog, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
The potential protective role of alpha-lipoic acid in acetaminophen -induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity was investigated in rats. Pretreatment of rats with alpha-lipoic acid (100mg/kg) orally protected markedly against hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by an acute oral toxic dose of acetaminophen (2.5g/kg).

Alpha Lipoic Acid dosage
The ideal dose of alpha lipoic acid is not known at this time. As a daily maintenance, a dose of 10 to 50 mg seems reasonable. Higher doses may be required to treat or prevent diabetic complications or other medical conditions. Some manufacturers sell alpha lipoic acid at 300 mg. I believe this is too high a dose for most people.

Lipoic Acid side effects
There are no indications that low doses of lipoic acid, such as 5 to 20 mg, have side effects. Higher doses could cause nausea or stomach upset, along with over-stimulation, fatigue, and insomnia. High doses could also potentially lower blood sugar. This is often beneficial to patients who have diabetes, but it requires close monitoring of blood sugar levels.

Lipoic acid benefit for Diabetes
Lipoic acid is helpful in diabetes, particularly for those with diabetic neuropathy and diabetic nephropathy. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the cause and progression of late microangiopathic (small vessel) complications in diabetes mellitus. Treatment of diabetic patients with the antioxidant lipoic acid reduce oxidative stress and urinary albumin excretion, and slows the progression of endothelial cell damage.
   Diabetics are prone to kidney disease and oxidative stress may play a major role in the progression of diabetic kidney disease. Previous studies have suggested that treatment of diabetic patients with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid reduces oxidative stress and urinary protein excretion. In this study completed at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, the effect of alpha lipoic acid on the progression of kidney cell damage and the course of diabetic nephropathy was evaluated in 84 patients with diabetes over 18 months. Forty-nine patients had no antioxidant treatment and served as a control group. Thirty-five patients were treated with 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid per day. After 18 months of follow up, those on lipoic acid had a slower progression of the disease than the control group as shown by a decrease in the amount of protein lost in urine. Previous studies have shown that alpha lipoic acid may be helpful for diabetic neuropathy, the loss of sensation often first noticed in feet. Laboratory studies have also indicated that lipoic acid reverses the age-associated decline in the proper functioning of mitochondria. Mitochondria are enclosures located within each cell. They are primarily responsible for energy production. 
   Comments: Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant and diabetics should consider taking it as a supplement. It is available over the counter in doses ranging from 10 to 300 mg. The proper dose for long term intake is not known. We generally recommend patients with diabetes take between 10 to 50 mg a day.

Lipoic acid benefit in diabetic neuropathy
High blood sugar levels for prolonged periods can be toxic to nerves in the body. Diabetics who don't control their blood sugar eventually start losing sensation in their feet. Other problems follow resulting from damage to various nerves that supply internal organs. Even impotence can result due to loss of nerve sensation in genital organs. However high blood sugar may not be the only culprit. Diabetics are usually under high oxidative stress and this probably contributes to their neurological problems.
   Several studies indicate that alpha lipoic acid has beneficial effects on diabetic neuropathy, party due to its actions as an antioxidant, and also by improving the circulation to tiny blood vessels supplying nerve tissue.

Alpha lipoic acid benefit for memory
Feeding lipoic acid and acetyl-l-carnitine to old rats improves performance on memory tasks by lowering oxidative damage and improving mitochondrial function.

Lipoic and burning mouth syndrome
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) has features of a neuropathy and could be related to the production of the toxic free radicals that are released in stress situations. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant able to increase the levels of intracellular glutathione and eliminate free radicals. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in the therapy of BMS. Method: This was a double blind, controlled study conducted for two months on 60 patients with constant BMS. Comparing alpha-lipoic acid (test) with cellulose starch (placebo).
   Results and Conclusions: Following treatment with alpha lipoic acid, there was a significant symptomatic improvement, compared with placebo, with the majority showing at least some improvement after 2 months, thus supporting the hypothesis that burning mouth syndrome is a neuropathy. This improvement was maintained in over 70% of patients at the 1 year follow-up.

Loss of smell (olfactory)
Alpha Lipoic acid may help regenerate loss of smell after a cold.

Loss of taste
Researchers at the University of Medicine and Surgery, in Napoli, Italy, selected two homogenous groups, each of 22 patients with idiopathic dysgeusia, an altered perception of taste, matched for age and sex, for an open trial of alpha lipoic acid compared with placebo. The 22 patients in the study group were treated with alpha lipoic acid for 2 months. The 22 patients in the control group were treated for 2 months with carboxymethylcellulose. The latter group was then treated with alpha lipoic acid for 2 months. The results showed significant symptomatic improvements compared with placebo, in both groups of patients with dysgeusia treated with alpha lipoic acid, suggesting that idiopathic dysgeusia may be a neuropathy comparable to the burning mouth syndrome.

Erectile dysfunction
Alpha lipoic acid and gamma-linolenic acid interact synergistically to improve nitric oxide-mediated neurogenic and endothelium-dependent relaxation of corpus cavernosum in experimental diabetes. Whether alpha lipoic acid helps those with sexual dysfunction is not known.

Alpha lipoic acid research opdate
Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin.
Beitner H., Department of Dermatology, Karolinska Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden. Br J Dermatol. 2003 Oct;149(4):841-9.
Alpha-lipoic acid or the reduced form dihydrolipoate (DHLA) is a potent scavenger with anti-inflammatory properties. Previous uncontrolled studies with topical treatment with 5% alpha-lipoic acid-containing creams indicate a beneficial effect on photoageing skin. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid showed any advantages concerning a number of the criteria associated with ageing of the facial skin, compared with an identical cream lacking alpha-lipoic acid. Thirty-three women, mean age 54.4 years, were included in this controlled study. After randomization half the face was treated twice daily for 12 weeks with the alpha-lipoic acid cream and the other half with the control cream. The following methods of assessment were used: self-evaluation by the test subjects, clinical evaluation, photographic evaluation and laser profilometry. Profilometry was performed before the start of treatment and at the end. All four methods of assessment showed a statistically significant improvement on the alpha-lipoic acid-treated half of the face. Laser profilometry, the most objective method used, showed an average decrease in skin roughness of 50.8% (44.9-54.0) on the alpha-lipoic acid-treated side, compared with 40.7% (32.4-48.7) on the placebo-treated half of the face P < 0.001 (Wilcoxon matched pairs test). It is indicated that 12 weeks of treatment with a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid improves clinical characteristics related to photoageing of facial skin.

Alpha Lipoic acid restores antioxidant system in tissues of hyperinsulinaemic rats.
Thirunavukkarasu V. Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India. Indian J Med Res. 2003 Sep;118:134-40.
Feeding rats with high fructose induces insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia, elevation of blood glucose level and impaired glucose tolerance. Oxidative stress plays a vital role in pathology associated with insulin resistance. The present study was to investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on the oxidant-antioxidant balance in liver and kidney of high fructose-fed rats. Male Wistar rats (170-180 g) were divided into six groups. The control group received diet containing starch; the fructose group was given a high fructose diet (>60% of total calories); the third and fourth groups were given fructose diet and administered with two different doses of alpha lipoic acid as low dose (35 mg/kg body weight) and high dose (70 mg/kg bw) intraperitoneally using olive oil as vehicle; the fifth group received control diet and was administered with alpha lipoic acid (70 mg/kg bw); the sixth group received the control diet and olive oil. The rats were maintained in their respective dietary regimen for 20 days. Lipid peroxidation indices and antioxidant status in liver and kidney were quantitated. The rats fed fructose showed increased levels of lipid hydroperoxides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes, and impaired antioxidant defence potential as evidenced by a decrease in the levels of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants. Treatment with alpha-lipoic acid to the fructose-fed rats mitigated these alterations and alpha-lipoic acid was effective uniformly at both the closes. Increased lipid peroxidation and inadequate antioxidant system are observed in the high dose fructose-fed rats. Alpha-lipoic acid administration restored the antioxidant potential and lowered lipid peroxidation. These findings strengthen the utility of alpha-lipoic acid in the management of insulin resistance and associated pathology.

Alpha Lipoic cream and Skin
Alpha Lipoic acid 5% skin cream can reduces damage from sun exposure.

Emails
Q. What do you recommend as a daily intake of supplemental lipoic acid?
   A. Nobody really knows what the ideal daily intake of lipoic acid should be. We would guess based on my knowledge that a dose of 10 to 20 mg a day of lipoic acid would be a cautious was to supplement. Or, a 50 mg tablet could be taken a couple of times a week.

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