Alpha lipoic acid is referred to by other names such as thioctic acid, ALA or simply lipoic acid. It is an antioxidant naturally produced by the body and is abundantly found in every cell. Alpha lipoic acid functions mainly to help convert the glucose substances into energy consumed by the body. It is commonly known that antioxidants are vital elements that fight the proliferation of free radicals or the toxic substances produced in the process of converting food into energy. In essence, free radicals are extremely harmful to the body since it results to cell damage. This occurrence consequently disables the body to combat infections and thus cause organs and tissues deficiency.
How does alpha Lipoic Acid work?
The good thing about alpha lipoic acid is in its basic feature that combines both the water-soluble and fat-soluble qualities of known antioxidants like Vitamin E and Vitamin C respectively. This simply says that this substance can definitely work throughout the body. Furthermore, since antioxidants are generally depleted in the body in the process of fighting off free radicals, alpha lipoic acid serves as a regenerating agent that replenishes and activates the needed antioxidants.
Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid
- Helps as a remedy for diabetic conditions. Alpha lipoic acid is known to regulate and lower the levels of blood sugar. Since the substance is known to eradicate free radicals, it helps in pain reduction, numbness, itching, burning and tingling which primarily resulting from nerve damaged common in diabetic patients. This condition is also known as peripheral neuropathy. Oral ingestion using alpha lipoic acid is considered a good remedy in countering the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy as well as its various effects. Another diabetic-related illness called autonomic neuropathy which results to nerve damage connected to the heart is also remedied using alpha lipoic acid.
- Helps as a remedy for liver diseases. Illnesses found in the liver due to excessive alcoholism are known to be remedied by alpha lipoic acid. However not enough scientific and medical treatment evidences has been posed to support this proposed therapeutic claim. There are also cases of liver damage caused by intake of the poisonous Amanita mushroom where patients are administered by IV of silymarin and alpha lipoic acid to treat its effects.
- Regulates Brain Function. Since alpha lipoic acid is known to have a water-soluble feature, it can easily pass through the brains, giving protection to the central nervous system and other nerve tissues from the harmful effects of free radicals. It is proposed that alpha lipoic acid prevents and treats brain disorders and stroke.
- Other health conditions. Alpha lipoic acid is also associated with the treatment of other health conditions although not enough evidences have been collated to prove its claim. These are usually vision-related deficiencies such as cataracts and glaucoma. Other diseases like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and burning mouth syndrome among others are likewise cited.
Some of the side effects known in the consumption of alpha lipoic acid products include skin rashes, tingling sensations, headache and muscle cramps.
