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Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplement Benefits - Professional Supplement Review | National Nutrition

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Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplement Benefits - Professional Supplement Review | National Nutrition

Holistic Nutritionist Joy McCarthy, explains the advantages of including Alpha-Lipoic Acid in your diet. It has a large part in protecting fat and water from breaking down in the body.

To learn more about Alpha-Lipoic Acid and how to supplement with it:

https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/antioxidants/single-antioxidants/alpha-lipoic-acid.html

Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent dual solubility antioxidant and mitochondrial coenzyme that aids in the burning of glucose to form energy (as ATP). Also known as ALA, it is a universal antioxidant...

To read more about Alpha-Lipoic Acid, please click here: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/alpha-lipoic-acid/



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What Is Alpha Lipoic Acid?

Alpha lipoic acid is a potent dual solubility antioxidant and mitochondrial coenzyme that aids in burning glucose to form energy (as ATP). Alpha lipoic acid supplements can be used as an antioxidant throughout the body. It is also called lipoic acid, ALA, alpha-lipoate, or thioctic acid. But don't confuse it with alpha-linolenic acid, also known as ALA.

An Introduction to Dual Solubility Antioxidants

Antioxidants are molecules that deactivate free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable molecules and damage surrounding tissues and nutrients. Because antioxidants tend to be either fat or water-soluble (e.g. Vitamin C is water-soluble, and vitamin E is fat-soluble), they can protect only certain body regions. However, lipoic acid is more versatile because it is fat and water-soluble. Our bodies consist of approximately 70% water, and our cells have membranes made of fats. Alpha lipoic acid's dual solubility means it can move into all areas of the body to deactivate harmful free radicals. This allows it to reduce damage to tissues all over the body, including those in the eye, liver, blood vessels and nerves.

Benefits for the Liver and Detoxification

Alpha lipoic acid improves the functioning of the liver, the body's chief detoxifying organ, via its antioxidant capabilities. We need antioxidants to combat the free radicals we encounter through environmental exposures like cigarette smoke, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun (UV rays). Free radicals can even occur as byproducts from our digestion.

Most antioxidants get "used up" when they deactivate free radicals. However, ALA is different because it not only acts as an antioxidant but also helps to regenerate other antioxidants in the body. These include coenzyme Q10glutathionevitamin E and vitamin C. These antioxidants are all used by the liver to render toxins and metabolic byproducts harmless. This is how ALA supports a multitude of antioxidant reactions, including the detoxification pathways in the liver.

Benefits for Blood Sugar and Diabetes

Alpha lipoic acid has several researched benefits for diabetes and poor blood sugar control. It does this by allowing cells to respond better to insulin and reduce blood sugar levels. At the same time, it can help people with diabetes with poor glucose control avoid adverse side effects. Essentially, excess blood sugar triggers potent free radical formation that results in damage to blood vessels and nerves. This results in cardiovascular disease and peripheral neuropathy, two common side effects in those with diabetes. There is also substantial research showing improvement in nerve conduction and arterial flow when people with diabetes supplement with ALA.

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