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ALA may prevent formation of experimentally induced cataracts by increasing glutathione, ascorbate, and vitamin E levels. In turn, ALA restores glutathione, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate free radical-reductase activity. The effect was seen in the lenses of 60% of rats treated with L-buthionnine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis.( 25) The efficacy of ALA in delaying the development and progression of cataracts in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes has also been demonstrated.( 26) Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a fat-soluble, sulfur-containing, vitamin-like antioxidant. It is not a true vitamin because it can be synthesized in the body and is not necessary in the diet of animals. ALA functions in the same manner as many B-complex vitamins. Good sources of ALA are yeast and liver. 1, 2 Other sources include spinach, broccoli, potatoes, kidney, heart, and skeletal muscle. 3 History Dementia in people with advanced HIV/AIDS. Taking alpha-lipoic acid by mouth has no effect on thinking problems in people with HIV. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant also known as Acetate Replacing Factor, ALA, Biletan, Lipoicin, Thioctan, and many other names.
Who should not take alpha lipoic acid? Some potential interactions, or circumstances where you want to speak to your doctor before taking extra alpha lipoic supplements, include: According to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, ALA also offers help in managing idiopathic pain (pain of unknown origin)in people without diabetes. Alpha-lipoic acid has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in weight loss, treating diabetic nerve pain, healing wounds, lowering blood sugar, improving skin discoloration caused by vitiligo, and decreasing complications of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Alpha-lipoic acid may have been combined with other plants or extracts in a specific preparation to treat these conditions. Akbari M, Ostadmohammadi V, Lankarani KB, et al. The effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on glucose control and lipid profiles among patients with metabolic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Metabolism. 2018;87:56-69. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2018.07.002 Age-Related Memory Loss: A small study found that a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-lipoic acid helped slow cognitive and functional decline in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's symptoms. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.There’s some evidence that ALA is acts as a “heavy metal chelator,” binding to metals (also called “toxins”) in the body, including mercury, arsenic, iron and other forms of free radicals that make their way into the bloodstream through water, air, chemical products and the food supply. Children: Alpha-lipoic acid is possibly safe in children aged 10-17 years when taken by mouth in doses up to 600 mg daily for 3 months. But it is possibly unsafe for children to take large amounts of alpha-lipoic acid by mouth. Seizures, vomiting, and unconsciousness have been reported for children aged 14 months to 16 years who took up to 2400 mg of alpha-lipoic acid as a single dose. Most people make enough to prevent a deficiency, although supplements can be helpful for those prone to diabetes, stroke, heart disease or glaucoma. ALA should not be used without a recommendation from your doctor if you take insulin or other medications to lower blood sugar. It's possible that it can enhance the effect of these drugs, leading to hypoglycemia ( low blood sugar). Discuss the use of supplemental ALA with your doctor first. Your doctor may recommend that you increase monitoring of blood sugar levels. The doctor may also want to make an adjustment in your medication. Kieburtz K, Schifitto G, McDermott M, and et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of deprenyl and thioctic acid in human immunodeficiency virus-associated cognitive impairment. Neurology 1998;50(3):645-651.
Finally, in our meta-analysis we were not able to evaluate the effects of ALA on specific compositions of body weight, such as lean mass, fat mass or body water composition. The reason of this limitation is that only one study ( 18) in our meta-analysis reported body fat mass changes measured by impedance meter. In this study treatment with 1800 mg/day ALA resulted more body fat loss compared to the other arms, however this difference was not significant. On the other hand, previous ALA studies in animals demonstrated significant reductions in body fat mass measured by weighing removed fat mass ( 38, 39). Measurement methods of body compositions may explain this discrepancy between human and animal studies. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effects of ALA on specific body weight compositions. Alpha lipoic acid — one kind of antioxidant — is a type of compound found in plant foods we commonly eat.Huang, E. A. and Gitelman, S. E. The effect of oral alpha-lipoic acid on oxidative stress in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Pediatr.Diabetes 2008;9(3 Pt 2):69-73. View abstract. Lee, W. J., Lee, I. K., Kim, H. S., Kim, Y. M., Koh, E. H., Won, J. C., Han, S. M., Kim, M. S., Jo, I., Oh, G. T., Park, I. S., Youn, J. H., Park, S. W., Lee, K. U., and Park, J. Y. Alpha-lipoic acid prevents endothelial dysfunction in obese rats via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Arterioscler.Thromb.Vasc.Biol 2005;25(12):2488-2494. View abstract. For most people, it’s best to get this compound from a healthy diet, especially foods like broccoli, spinach, other greens, beets, carrots, meat and organ meats. ALA has been suggested as a potential aid in stopping or slowing the damage done by a variety of other health conditions from HIV to liver disease. However, much of the research is still early and evidence isn't conclusive. When applied to the skin: Alpha-lipoic acid is possibly safe for most adults when used as a cream for up to 12 weeks. It might cause a rash in some people. Pregnancy: When taken by mouth, alpha-lipoic acid is possibly safe. It's been used safely during pregnancy in doses of up to 600 mg daily for up to 4 weeks.
Another meta-analysis found that supplementation made a significant difference in i ncreasing glutathione levels, although this didn’t necessarily transfer to protection against diseases development. Something that makes ALA unique is that it’s both water-soluble and fat-soluble, unlike other nutrients (like B vitamins or vitamin A, C, D or E). This means it can be properly absorbed despite what types of foods you’re eating, and it can be used in almost all parts of the body. Finally, alpha lipoic acid can increase how the body uses a very important antioxidant known as glutathione. 2. Fights Diabetes and Diabetic ComplicationsEstrada, D. E., Ewart, H. S., Tsakiridis, T., Volchuk, A., Ramlal, T., Tritschler, H., and Klip, A. Stimulation of glucose uptake by the natural coenzyme alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid: participation of elements of the insulin signaling pathway. Diabetes 1996;45(12):1798-1804. View abstract. Alpha-lipoic acid might slow blood clotting. Taking alpha-lipoic acid along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Supplementation with ALA 600 mg/day × 12 weeks was not shown to be associated with changes in the erythrogram (eg, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) in patients with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), without regard to anemia or diabetes. However, in this double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial (n=60), a statistically significant increase in neutrophils ( P<0.01) and reduction in serum iron ( P<0.01) and Transferrin Saturation Index ( P=0.01) may reflect the antioxidant and metal chelation activities of ALA. It was calculated that the effects of ALA supplementation on serum iron, transferrin, and total iron binding capacity were clinically significant compared to control. These results, it was speculated, could indicate the potential of undesirable reductions in iron with longer administration of ALA, which could contribute to anemia and potentially the pathological events in SAH.( 60) Evidence shows ALA helps reduce levels of inflammatory proteins called cytokines and increase levels of nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels. This helps to reduce blood pressure. Kucukgoncu S, Zhou E, Lucas KB, Tek C. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as a supplementation for weight loss: results from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obes Rev. 2017;18(5):594-601. doi:10.1111/obr.12528 Alpha lipoic acid can protect cells and neurons involved in hormone production, offering protection against type 2 diabetes.Jain, S. K. and Lim, G. Lipoic acid decreases lipid peroxidation and protein glycosylation and increases (Na(+) + K(+))- and Ca(++)-ATPase activities in high glucose- treated human erythrocytes. Free Radic.Biol.Med 2000;29(11):1122-1128. View abstract. Scientists call it the ‘universal antioxidant’, so why is alpha-lipoic acid good for us and could it help you stay healthy? It may not be a household name (yet!), but experts believe alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an unsung hero when it comes to good health. Find out what the ‘universal antioxidant’ could do for your body, brain and wellbeing. What is alpha-lipoic acid? ALA is a powerful co-enzyme and antioxidant. Also known as thioctic acid, it shouldn’t be confused with alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid found in flaxseeds. Our bodies naturally produce a small amount of ALA, but you can also find it in liver and kidney meat, brewer’s yeast, potatoes, carrots, beetroot, peas, broccoli, spinach and Brussels sprouts. Why do we need ALA? ALA is found in every cell of the human body. It has two main roles: Is it “essential” that you consume a certain dosage of alpha lipoic acid every day? Not exactly, which is why it’s not considered an “essential nutrient.” When it comes to battling physical signs of aging on the skin, certain studies have found that topical treatment creams containing 5 percent alpha lipoic acid can help reduce fine lines caused by exposure to sun ways. ALA is thought to act as an anti-aging substance because it helps restore skin tissues and epidermal structure while battling free radicals.
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