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Alpha-Lipoic Acid - "Universal" Antioxidant

Why would it be called that? Alpha-lipoic acid, (ALA), has been called the "universal" antioxidant because it can work as an antioxidant in fatty body tissue as well as in the water based tissues. Most antioxidants can only work in one or the other.

During the past few years researchers have found that much of the downhill slide we consider aging, is a result of body tissues being damaged by free radicals. Antioxidants are able to prevent that damage by neutralizing those free radicals.

Most fruits and vegetables we eat have antioxidants in them, and our body is able to make others. But even so, most of those antioxidants can only work in part of the body, either water based tissue, or fat based tissue.

Lipoic acid is actually made in our bodies. Its great value is that it works equally well in both types of body tissue. However as we age, we seem to lose the ability to make as much lipoic acid.

Alpha-lipoic acid is the synthetic form of lipoic acid. It works in the body similarly to lipoic acid.

What are its Most Important Jobs?

Researchers tell us it:

helps the body use oxygen

helps those with severe liver damage or disease recover

helps those with chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis recover

has been used to help treat pancreatic cancer along with prescription medicines

destroys free radicals in both watery and fatty body tissues.

has a necessary and important role in producing energy in the cell mitochondria. (The mitochondria is like the cell's power house to my understanding.)

is useful in recycling other antioxidants, like Vitamin C and Vitamin E, and keeping them working in the body for longer time periods.

helps prevent nerve damage caused by free radicals

Where can you get it?

It is available from health food stores, pharmacies, and on line. The Life Extension Foundation has several available brands in their online store. They have developed a more biologically active form of this nutrient called R-dihydro-lipoic acid which is also available on their website. It does cost more, but the higher level of biological activity might offset the higher cost. For more information go to LifeExtension.com.

For additional information and dosage recommendations, along with my take on it, please visit the alpha-lipoic-acid page.

Return from Alpha-Lipoic Acid to Antioxidant Supplements

Return from alpha-lipoic acid to effective health supplements