Health Benefits of Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Overview

What is Alpha lipoic acid?

Alpha lipoic acid is a natural fatty acid made by our body and is a powerful antioxidant.

Alpha lipoic acid is essential for digestion, assimilation (absorption), and energy generation and assists enzymes in transforming food into energy. Alpha lipoic acid is produced in our body in tiny amounts, but one can get it by consuming various food sources.¹Overview| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Key Facts of Alpha lipoic acid

• Alpha lipoic acid is also known as lipoic acid, lipoate, and thioctic acid.
• Alpha lipoic acid is produce in the mitochondria of our cell Mitochondria are a compartment in the cell responsible for converting our consumed food into energy that our cells can utilize.
• It is water- and fat-soluble and works in every cell or tissue of our body.
• Alpha lipoic acid is available as a dietary supplement in some countries and as a drug in others. it has recently gained attention due to its multiple health benefits¹Overview| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Sources

Sources of Alpha lipoic acid

Plant sources

• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Green Peas
• Beets
• Carrots
• Yams
• Rice bran

Animal Sources

• Red meats
• Organ meats such as heart, liver, kidney
• Brewer’s yeast ²Sources| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Dosage

Dosage of Alpha lipoic acid

The recommended daily dose of alpha lipoic acid is as follows

• Adults(for general health)-20-50 mg(milligrams)
• Adults(for antioxidant purposes)-50-100 mg
• Adults (with diabetes)-600-800 mg
• Adults(with diabetes neuropathy(nerve damage))-600-1800mg

However, it is best to consult a health care professional to know the correct dose of alpha lipoic acid suitable for one’s health ³Dosage| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Different dosage forms of Alpha lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid is available commercially in different forms, like

• Tablet form
• Capsule form
• Injection form
• Ointment

What is the right time to take Alpha lipoic acid Supplements?

• Oral intake of Alpha lipoic acid immediately after a meal decreases the supplement’s absorption. So, for best results, physicians often recommend taking it early morning on an empty stomach, one hour before or one hour after food.

Benefits

Benefits of Alpha lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid binds to harmful substances in our bodies that destroy our cells and prevent DNA damage. It assists several vital mitochondrial enzymes in the cells to take up glucose. It also helps in regulating the signaling molecules and transcription factors ⁴Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Health benefits of Alpha lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid has numerous health benefits, such as

• Helps with Weight loss
• Reduces the blood sugar
• Reduces aging of the skin
• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces nerve damage
• Enhances the brain health
• Supports the proper functioning of nerves
• Decreases the risk of heart diseases

Helps with Weight loss

• Alpha lipoic acid suppresses the enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase, suppressing AMP-activated protein kinase allows one to feel less hungry and burn more calories while at rest ⁵Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

However, further studies are warranted on humans to prove the effect of Alpha lipoic acid on weight loss.

Reduces the blood sugar

• Alpha lipoic acid lowers the blood sugar in diabetic individuals
• It decreases the insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when the body cells do not respond to insulin and can’t use the glucose in the blood to provide energy.
• It lowers the risk of diabetes complications such as kidney, nerve, and eye damage ⁶Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Reduces the skin aging

• Alpha lipoic acid cream application decreased skin wrinkles and roughness associated with aging.
• It protects the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation
• It protects the body against skin damages ⁷Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Reduces inflammation

• Alpha lipoic acid reduces C-reactive protein levels in individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
• It reduces redness, swelling, and pain ⁸Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Reduces nerve damage

• Alpha lipoic acids help in healthy nerve functioning
• It improves the nerve pain associated with diabetic nephropathy
• It also slowed the progression of carpal tunnel syndrome⁹Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disease characterized by compression of one of the nerves leading to loss of sensation and tingling pain in the affected part

Enhances the brain health

• Alpha lipoic acids slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease
• It also improved the mental ability of Alzheimer’s patients ¹⁰Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Helps proper nerve functioning

• Alpha lipoic acid destroys the free radicals that cause nerve damage
• It reduced the tingling sensation in diabetic nephropathy patients ¹²Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov Diabetic nephropathy is a kidney disease associated with persistent diabetic patients

Decreases the risk of heart diseases

• Alpha lipoic acids nullify the free radicals and prevent cell destruction, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.
• It lowers the low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) level in the body.
• It improved the conditions in patients with endothelial dysfunction ¹¹Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Side effects

Side effects of Alpha lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid is generally safe for most people when taken orally at the correct dose. However, some people might experience the following side effects:

• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Heartburn
• Abdominal problem
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin rash
• Hives
• Swelling in the face, throat, lips, and tongue
• Difficult breathing
• Extreme tiredness
• Anxiety
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Low blood pressure
• Diarrhea ¹³Side effects| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Overdose

Overdose toxicity of Alpha lipoic acid

• Rapid heart rate
• Too much acid build up in the blood(metabolic acidosis)
• Convulsions (body shaking)
• Fainting
• Mental problem
• Multiple organ failure ¹⁴Overdose| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Deficiency

Alpha lipoic acid deficiency

Alpha lipoic acid deficiency causes a rare metabolic disease called lipoic acid synthetase deficiency. Lipoic acid synthetase deficiency affects the mitochondria present in the body’s cells.

Symptoms of Alpha lipoic acid deficiency are

• Seizures
• Feeding difficulties
• Problems in muscular growth
• Decreased movement
• Slowed speech
• Mental problem ¹⁵Deficiency| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Who are at risk of deficiency?

• People with diabetes( high blood sugar)
• One with liver diseases
• One with thyroid problems
• People with vitamin B deficiency
• People with alcoholism( addicted to alcohol)
• One under two weeks after surgical operation
• People allergic to alpha-lipoic acid or any component of the medication ¹⁶Deficiency| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Precautions

Precautions of Alpha lipoic acid

• Nursing mothers, pregnant women, and children should avoid using alpha-lipoic acid due to the lack of safety and efficiency in these groups.
• It is always best to speak to a healthcare professional if the necessity of taking alpha-lipoic acid arises in such groups.

Interactions

Interactions of alpha lipoic acid

Antidiabetic medication (Blood sugar lowering medication)

• Alpha lipoic acid lowers the blood sugar
• Taking alpha lipoic acid and antidiabetic medication together might lower the blood sugar causing sweating, lightheadedness, and confusion.

Anticancer medication

• Taking alpha lipoic acid and anticancer medication, such as alkylating agents, might decrease the drug’s efficiency.

Antitumor antibiotics

• Antitumor antibiotics are an anticancer medicine to block the growth of cancer cells.
• Taking alpha lipoic acid and antitumor antibiotics might decrease the drug’s efficiency.

Thyroid medication

• Taking alpha lipoic acid and thyroid medication together might decrease the blood levels of the drug. It might decrease the drug’s effectiveness

Blood thinning medication (Anticoagulants)

• Alpha lipoic acid lowers the blood clotting process
• Taking alpha lipoic acid and blood thinning medication together might increase the risk of profuse bleeding ¹⁷Interactions| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Foods to avoid while taking alpha lipoic acid

• Garlic
• Fenugreek
• Panax Ginseng
• Siberian Ginseng
• Horse chestnut
• Psyllium
• Guar gum

Storage

Storage of alpha lipoic acid

• One should keep it in a cool and dry place
• Keep it away from direct sunlight
• Keep it out of reach of children and young kids

Takeaway

Key Takeaways

• Alpha-lipoic acid is a natural antioxidant compound in the body in minute amounts.
• One can get Alpha-lipoic acid from various natural food sources and supplements.
• Research has proven its benefit for various health conditions such as diabetes, weight loss, and memory problem.
• Alpha-lipoic acid is generally well tolerated by most adults
• It is always best to take medical advice before including Alpha-lipoic acid in one’s diet to get the correct dose and avoid the drug’s complications.