|  |  Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)Alpha Lipoic Acid 100 Mg 60 Capsules Twinlab
Conditions for Which Alpha Lipoic Acid Might Be Supportive.
AIDS
Diabetes
Glaucoma
Alpha Lipoic Acid
What does it do? Alpha lipoic acid (also known as thioctic acid) is a vitamin-like natural antioxidant. Alpha lipoic acid is sometimes referred to as the "universal antioxidant," since it is soluble in both fat and water.1
Alpha lipoic acid has several potential benefits for diabetics. It enhances glucose uptake in non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM), inhibits glycosylation (the abnormal attachment of sugar to protein), and has been used to improve diabetic nerve damage and reduce pain associated with that nerve damage.2 Most studies have used intravenous alpha lipoic acid, but oral supplementation has nonetheless proved partially helpful in treating at least one form of diabetic neuropathy, using 800 mg per day.3
There is preliminary evidence that alpha lipoic acid, taken in the amount of 150 mg daily for one month, improves visual function in people with glaucoma.4
Alpha lipoic acid has been shown to inhibit the replication of the HIV virus in the test tube. However, it is not known whether supplementing with alpha lipoic acid would benefit HIV-positive people.5
Alpha lipoic acid has been given to people who have eaten poison mushrooms, significantly increasing the survival rate.6 Such a treatment should be prescribed by a nutritionally oriented doctor and should not be attempted on one’s own.
Where is it found? The body makes small amounts of alpha lipoic acid. There is only limited knowledge about the food sources of this nutrient, however foods that contain mitochondria (a specialized component of cells), such as red meats, are believed to provide the most alpha lipoic acid. Supplements are also available.
Alpha lipoic acid has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
Ranking Health Concerns Primary Diabetes Other Glaucoma
Who is likely to be deficient? Although alpha lipoic acid was thought to be a vitamin when it was first discovered, subsequent research determined that it is created in the human body—and thus is not an essential nutrient. For this reason, humans are not known to be deficient in alpha lipoic acid.
How much should I take? The amount of alpha lipoic acid used in research to improve diabetic neuropathies is 800 mg per day and 150 mg per day for glaucoma. However, much lower amounts, such as 20–50 mg per day, are recommended by some doctors of natural medicine for general antioxidant protection, although there remains no clear evidence that such general use has any benefit.
Are there any side effects or interactions? Side effects with alpha lipoic acid are rare but can include skin rash and the potential of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients. Individuals who may be deficient in vitamin B1 (such as alcoholics) should take vitamin B1 along with alpha lipoic acid supplements. Chronic administration of alpha lipoic acid in animals has interfered with the actions of the vitamin biotin. Whether this has significance for humans remains unknown.7
References:
1. Kagan V, Khan S, Swanson C, Shevedova A, Serbinova E, and Packer L. Antioxidant action of thioctic acid and dihydrolipoic acid. Free Rad Biol Med 1990;9S:15. 2. Packer L, Witt EH, Tritschler HJ. Alpha-lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant. Free Rad Biol Med 1995;19:227–50 [review]. 3. Ziegler D, Ulrich H, Schatz H, et al. Effects of treatment with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid on cardiac autonomic neuropathy in NIDDM patients. Diabetes Care 1997;20:369–73. 4. Filina AA, Davydova NG, Endrikhovskii SN, et al. Lipoic acid as a means of metabolic therapy of open-angle glaucoma. Vestn Oftalmol 1995;111:6–8. 5. Baur A et al. Alpha-lipoic acid is an effective inhibitor of human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV-1) replication. Klin Wochenschr 1991;69:722–24. 6. Nichols TW Jr. Alpha-lipoic acid: biological effects and clinical implications. Alt Med Rev 1997;2:177–83 [review]. 7. Zempleni J, Trusty TA, Mock DM. Lipoic acid reduces the activities of biotin-dependent carboxylases in rat liver. J Nutr 1997;127:1776–81.
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