Why Lipoic Acid Is Much More Than Just Another Anti-Oxidant

Why Lipoic Acid Is Much More Than Just Another Anti-Oxidant
Lipoic acid, also known as alpha-lipoic acid or thioctic
acid, is a vitamin like compound produced naturally by the
body in very limited quantities, but which may also be
obtained from various dietary sources.

The lipoic acid produced in the body is closely bound to
certain proteins and is essential to work in harmony with
the B complex vitamins for the release of energy from food.
No symptoms have ever been attributed to a deficiency of
this type of lipoic acid, suggesting that the body is
always able to manufacture a sufficient supply for this
purpose. Research has focussed, however, on the possible
benefits of high dose supplementation with what is known as
"free lipoic acid", which does not bind with proteins in
the body.

Lipoic acid functions as an anti-oxidant, assisting in the
destruction of the free radicals which may damage cell DNA
and membranes. However, lipoic acid is found in tiny
quantities when compared with other anti-oxidants such as
vitamins C and E, and the enzyme, glutathione. Moreover,
any increase in lipoic acid activity obtained through
supplementation is likely to be short lived. The real
anti-oxidant importance of lipoic acid, however, lies in
its capacity to recharge and renew these other
anti-oxidants, consequently enhancing their potency.

Lipoic acid has also been shown to stimulate the production
of glutathione in the body, a particularly important
consideration in the case of the elderly who commonly have
difficulty synthesising this enzyme and are consequently
more vulnerable to the free radical attack which may damage
cells and ultimately contribute to degenerative disease.

Research has suggested that high doses of lipoic acid may
assist individuals with type 2 (non-insulin dependent)
diabetes by improving glucose regulation and reducing the
resistance to insulin which is characteristic of this form
of the disease. Doses of 600 mg per day and more have been
shown to enhance the action of insulin in type 2 diabetic
individuals by as much as 25% after four weeks. It is much
less clear, however, whether such courses of treatment will
maintain similar benefits in the longer term.

There are also indications that lipoic acid may be
effective in the alleviation of the pain and weakness
commonly suffered by diabetic individuals as a result of
peripheral nerve damage, particularly in the lower legs and
feet. Close control of blood glucose levels has been found
to be the best means of preventing this diabetic
neuropathy, and although research suggests intravenous
supplementation to be the most effective, both oral and
intravenous supplements of lipoic acid are approved as
treatments in Germany.

It has been suggested that lipoic acid's role in improving
circulation and the general health of the vascular system
may be responsible for its mitigation of the effects of
diabetic neuropathy, but orthodox opinion is that more long
term studies are required to establish this link.
Supplementation in the case of diabetics should in any case
only be undertaken under medical supervision.

But the possible benefits of lipoic acid don't end here.
Lipoic acid is a valuable tonic for the liver, assisting
its regeneration and recovery from hepatitis and toxic
assaults such as drug, alcohol or fungal poisoning. A
number of animal experiments have also appeared to show
that supplements may restrict the activity of an enzyme
associated with the progression of multiple sclerosis. As
always, however, in the cautious world of orthodox
medicine, it is argued that more long-term studies are
needed before any definitive statements are made.

Likewise, although there have been some encouraging
indications that lipoic acid may have a positive effect in
slowing down memory loss, age-related cognitive decline and
dementias, including Alzheimer's disease, larger long-term
trials are needed before any definitive statements can be
expected from the scientific community.

As always with supplementation, however, it is a question
of weighing large potential benefits against the risks.
As indicated above, lipoic acid is approved as a medical
treatment in Germany and is freely available as a food
supplement in the US and elsewhere. The few adverse
reactions to oral supplements which have been recorded have
been confined to relatively minor skin irritations and
gastric upsets.

Moreover, good food sources are limited to the unpopular
offal and dark green leafy vegetables, and even the best of
these will provide only a tiny fraction of the
bio-available lipoic acid that can be obtained from
supplements. Indeed, because of the difficulty in
absorbing lipoic acid in the presence of food, this is one
of the very few cases where it's recommended that
supplements should be taken on an empty stomach

It needs to be stressed again, however, that because of its
potential effects on blood sugar regulation diabetics
should not embark on a course of supplements without first
seeking medical advice.

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Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter specialising in
direct marketing and with a particular interest in health
products.
Find out more at
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