Alpha-Lipoic Acid: The “Universal Antioxidant.”
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a versatile and powerful antioxidant that has
benefits from protecting the heart and brain, improving glucose regulation in diabetes, decreasing pain, improving skin health, supporting bone health, removing heavy metals, and supporting enhanced exercise recovery! What is NOT to like about this amazing gift from God’s pharmacy?
For those who have chronic inflammatory medical conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, as well as those who have had the COVID shots or the COVID illness, supplementing with ALA has major therapeutic benefits as I describe below.
How can YOU harness the power of Alpha Lipoic Acid component of foods or as a supplement to help maintain healthy cells, prevent and manage chronic oxidative stress-related conditions and improve overall health and longevity? Let’s look at what it is, what it does, and the advantageous of a properly formulated supplement, such as our sustained release, specially formulated TruAlpha-Lipoic SR™
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has an essential role in mitochondrial function and energy production. ALA is a cofactor involved in multiple enzyme complexes within the mitochondria, especially glucose metabolism. ALA also contributes to mitochondrial biogenesis and overall mitochondrial health.
ALA current research has focused on its potent antioxidant activity. Lipoate, or its reduced form, dihydrolipoate, reacts with reactive oxygen species (ROS) to protect cells from oxidative damage by directly scavenging ROS. ALA also protects cellular membranes from oxidative stress by interacting with vitamin C and glutathione. ALA can donate electrons to regenerate vitamin C and glutathione as well as other antioxidants such as vitamin E. Lipoic acid modulates key signaling pathways involved in oxidative stress and inflammation – the root causes of chronic diseases – decreasing the activity of inflammatory factors and activating pathways that protect our cells,
ALA helps manage chronic conditions associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and also helps reduce damage from oxidative stress where areas of the brain or body have been deprived of oxygen (ischemia) and also injury that can occur with restoring oxygen to injured tissues (reperfusion). ALA also helps reduce cataract formation, and radiation injury.
ALA has such a range of potential health benefits scientists now agree ALA is one of the most powerful antioxidants our bodies require. These wide-ranging, multifunctional benefits of ALA occur whether derived from foods OR taken as a nutritional supplement. Dietary sources include red meat, beets, carrots, potatoes, spinach, and broccoli. If you don’t eat a lot of red meat, or these high-ALA content vegetables, you may want to consider taking a supplement, such as our sustained release, specially formulated TruAlpha-Lipoic SR™
ALA has been dubbed “the universal antioxidant” because it provides oxidative stress protection to a wide variety of body issues as a result of having both fat-soluble and water-soluble actions.
Much of the literature on ALA supplements is new and growing and here are some of the exciting findings on the health benefits of alpha-lipoic acid:
Powerful antioxidant:
ALA is has potent activity to reduce oxidative stress and efficiently scavenge free radicals.
ALA chelates, or binds to, toxic heavy metals—lead, mercury, arsenic—assisting in their removal from the body. Since toxic heavy metals contribute to oxidative stress, this is another way ALA acts as a powerful antioxidant.
ALA regenerates or enhances other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10.
Heart health:
Dietary ALA shows benefits on heart health (see references on our product data sheet in TFH store). Clinical trials show that ALA supplementation increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol and reduces LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Studies report ALA plays a role in prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis (“hardening of the arteries”) and related cardiovascular diseases.
ALA increases nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation (blood vessel relaxation), promotes anti-inflammatory and blood clot-reducing (antithrombotic) pathways.
ALA helps prevent development of hypertension (high blood pressure) by lowering inflammatory cytokine levels in blood and preventing pathological changes in cells of blood vessels.
Researchers identified ALA’s mechanisms of action in heart tissue and smooth muscle of the aorta to help protect against diabetic cardiomyopathy and modulate inflammatory processes.
ALA appears to modulate 5’-AMP activated protein kinase and PPAR-regulated genes, to activate PPAR–alpha and PPAR-gamma, and to support expression of PPAR-gamma mRNA and protein.
Expression of PPAR-gamma mRNA and protein in the heart tissue and aortic smooth muscle also plays a crucial role in vascular health and function, including protecting against aortic aneurysms and heart failure. PPAR-gamma activation can attenuate the growth and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, which helps prevent aortic dilation and elastin degradation.
Diabetes:
ALA shows benefits in the prevention of diabetes. Some countries approve ALA as part of a diabetic treatment plan.
ALA helps improve blood sugar control in individuals with diabetes, by reducing blood glucose, improving insulin sensitivity/reducing insulin resistance, and lowering hemoglobin A1c levels.
ALA has insulin-mimetic activity, which means it improves glucose handling and consumption.
Weight management:
ALA does not by itself cause weight loss, but studies show it is a useful addition to a integrated weight loss program.
ALA improves glucose and fat metabolism, which means that more sugars and fats in foods are broken down and used for energy rather than being stored as fat.
Lipoic acid prevents the production of chemerin, a molecule linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome. This could be how lipoic acid aids in the fight against obesity and diabetes.
Brain health and neurological disorders:
ALA’s ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes it a potential therapeutic agent for brain disorders, and it has shown promising results in various neurological disorders.
ALA acts as a neuroprotective agent due to its enhancement of mitochondrial function and potent antioxidant properties.
ALA shows benefit to restore damaged neurons and promote long-term functional recovery via its enhanced anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions.
ALA also shows benefit in conditions like Alzheimer's disease and studies show it helps slow decline in cognitive function.
Nerve Health:
ALA's antioxidant properties help alleviate symptoms of nerve damage, especially in diabetic neuropathy.
Exercise recovery:
Short-term studies report that ALA supplementation protects DNA and cells from oxidative stress caused by exercise, and helps men who are physically active regenerate their muscles.
ALA changes the internal chemistry of cells, promoting muscle regeneration after injury.
Inflammation:
A diet high in ALA reduces inflammation markers over time.
ALA anti-inflammatory actions reduce inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and organ transplants.
Migraines:
Migraines have been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, both of which are helped by ALA.
Lipoic acid increases the efficacy of topiramate (Topamax) migraine medication. The combination of lipoic acid and topiramate was significantly more effective than either drug alone in reducing the frequency and duration of migraines.
Bone health:
Several laboratory studies have reported that lipoic acid prevents inflammation-induced bone loss, reduces inflammation, and improves cartilage degeneration in patients with osteoarthritis.
Skin health:
ALA speeds up wound healing in patients with chronic wounds.
If applied directly to the skin, ALA increases skin thickness and decreases roughness and sun damage in elderly patients.
According to some studies, topical lipoic acid can reverse skin damage caused by cigarette smoke.
ALA may contribute to healthier skin by reducing inflammation and potentially mitigating signs of aging, like fine lines.
Remove Heavy Metals
ALA effectively neutralizes a variety of free radicals, not only oxygen radicals and but also ionized metals, which helps the body rid itself of heavy metals.
ALA increases glutathione levels inside cells which helps excrete toxins, especially toxic metals.
Pain:
Lipoic acid is not as potent as traditional pain relievers, but appears to act beneficially with Rx pain medicine to reduce the number of pharmaceutical drugs needed to manage pain.
Sperm quality:
After 12 weeks of eating a healthy, ALA-rich diet, studies report significant increases in total sperm count, sperm concentration, and motility levels. This may be a helpful approach for men with low sperm counts after the COVID-19 experimental gene therapy injections.
High-risk pregnancies:
Lipoic acid has been found to be safe during pregnancy and studies show improved health of both the mother and baby in high-risk pregnancies.
There is evidence that lipoic acid supplementation may reduce miscarriage risk. supplementation.
Longevity research:
Many ALA-rich foods are included in a healthy diet, and lipoic acid consumption appears linked to an increase in lifespan.
Fighting free radicals is an effective way to protect against cell damage that shortens lifespan.
Lipoic acid stimulates the enzyme telomerase that helps slow the aging process.
Truth for Health Foundation TruAlpha-Lipoic SR™ has a uniquely formulated professional-grade product that differentiates it from most of the widely available products on Amazon, Costco, and health food stores:
TruAlpha-Lipoic SR™ is a sustained release product that provides whole-body, multifunctional antioxidant activity designed to neutralize free radicals in both the water-based and lipid-based portion of cells, help the body synthesize glutathione, and recharge important antioxidants. The sustained-release technology in TruAlpha-Lipoic SR helps the alpha-lipoic acid to maintain blood sugar already in the normal range. This was shown in data from a 12-week clinical study indicate that supplementation with TruAlpha-Lipoic SR (1200 mg per day, divided doses) may support healthy C-peptide levels (an indication of insulin sensitivity).
TruAlpha-Lipoic SR™ has biotin added to support the function of alpha-lipoic acid in glucose metabolism. Biotin is also added to counteract the reduction in activity of biotin dependent enzymes from long term lipoic acid supplementation that competes with biotin. Adding biotin helps to restore the activity of these enzymes, which are crucial for metabolism.
TruAlpha-Lipoic SR™ is designed to readily crosses the blood brain barrier after absorption in the small intestine, and then transportation via the portal vein into systemic circulation. Once in the tissues, ALA can be found inside and outside the cells including inside the mitochondria where it functions naturally as a coenzyme to prevent ROS production.
Clinical Applications for TruAlpha-Lipoic SR™ include:
• Provides Fat-Soluble and Water-Soluble Antioxidant Activity
• Coenzyme for Whole-Body Glucose Utilization
• Supports optimal mitochondrial function
• Supports Healthy Intracellular Glutathione Levels
• Supports Regeneration of Vitamins C and E
• Helps Maintain a Balance Between Oxidized and Reduced CoQ10
Tips for Taking Alpha Lipoic Acid:
Best to take ALA in AM, ½ hour before eating AND separately from your multivitamin and mineral supplements.
ALA is very effective at chelating toxic metals such as lead and mercury, but with that benefit comes the other side of the coin: it can also bind/chelate critical minerals such as iron, zinc, and copper that you need. So take it apart from these critical minerals.
I also monitor the blood levels of iron stores (ferritin), zinc, copper, and magnesium when my patients are taking ALA supplements. Ask your doctor to check your levels of these crucial minerals.
To further improve your health, I encourage you to turn to our natural medicines with our top quality, cGMP-compliant professional formulas for TruImmune™Boost, TruNAC™, TruImmunoglobulin,™ TruC with BioFlav™ (Vitamin C with complete Bioflavonoids), Tru BioD3™, TruZinc™, TruMitochondrial ™Boost and TruProBiotic™ Daily to replenish critical bifidobacteria depleted by COVID shots, viral illnesses, and antibiotic therapy.
To Your good health and improving resilience!
Dr. Vliet
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