Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), or nerve regeneration [action, properties, dosage].

This ALA does not have a cat. Instead, it holds the title of 'king of antioxidants'. Meet afla-lipoic acid - a drug used in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. It is suspected of having weight-loss-enhancing and age-stopping properties.

Alpha-lipoic acid may also help with ailments such as insulin resistance, diabetes and liver disorders. It may also have a protective effect on the nervous system and may even contribute to the elimination of cancer cells. Well, exactly - may. Because research into the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid on such ailments is still scarce...

See also:

• Alpha-linolenic acid
.
• NAC
• NMN
• Sodium butyrate
• Butyric acid
• Electrolytes

What is alpha-lipoic acid?

ALA, ALA acid, lipoic acid or thioctic acid - they call it variously. But in fact, it's all about alpha-lipoic acid all the time, which is an organic compound made up of sulphatesand. 

Alpha-lipoic acid is naturally produced in your body. However, this doesn't mean you don't need to take it along with diet. According to research, around 60% of ALA acid in the body comes specifically from foodand.

Alpha-lipoic acid

R alpha-lipoic acid consists of s-lipoic acid and r-lipoic acid. R-lipoic acid (R-ALA) is the natural form of alpha-lipoic acid. It is also the closest to the one produced by the body, which is why it is believed to show better bioavailability (i.e. it is better absorbed).

R-ALA acid also shows more health-promoting properties and is much more beneficial to the body than its mateand.

Alpha-lipoic acid: properties

The properties of afla-lipoic acid are primarily to combat free radicals. As a powerful antioxidant ALA contributes to the prevention of antioxidant stress and delays cell degradation processes. At the mitochondrial level, it is also involved in bioenergetic reactionsand.

ALA acid is one of the essential components for energy production in the body's cells. Among other things, this means that it is involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. It is also responsible for gene transcription, i.e. transcribing the information contained in your DNA so that it can be copied and used to produce, for example, proteins and enzymesand.

Alpha-lipoic acid: what it helps with

Alpha-lipoic acid has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Moreover, it can also regenerate other antioxidants in the body. On top of this, it increases cellular sensitivity to insulin and aids glucose absorption.

By regulating metabolic processes and fighting free radicals, ALA may also help treat insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other ailments caused by oxidative stressand.

Nerve system

Alpha-lipoic acid may support nerve regeneration. Studies show that intravenous administration of 600 mg, for at least three weeks, improved the flow of impulses in peripheral nerve fibres, reducing pain and numbness in patients with neuropathy. Unfortunately, this form of therapy is not reimbursed in Poland.

Alpha-lipoic acid may have a protective effect on brain cells. In an in vitro study conducted in 2003, ALA was shown to have a neuroprotective effectand. As a result, it may support memory, cognitive function and intellectual abilities.

Magister of Pharmacy Ilona Krzak talks about an interesting study showing the effects of ALA acid on migraine headaches:

"Ninety-two women suffering from episodic migraines participated in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study. Participants were randomly assigned to a group receiving 300 mg ALA daily or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks.

The participants were randomly assigned to a group receiving 300 mg ALA daily or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks.

The migraine headache index score was significantly reduced in the intervention group compared with the control group.

AlA supplementation can be considered as a potential adjunctive therapy in migraine patients due to the improvement in mitochondrial and endothelial function and clinical symptoms."

Some studies also indicate that ALA acid may be helpful in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's diseaseand. Oxidative stress is considered one of the main causes of this neurodegenerative disease and can be accompanied by inflammation. Alpha-lipoic acid counteracts both.

However, there is still too little scientific evidence (especially studies with humans) to conclusively support the efficacy of ALA treatment in Alzheimer's disease.

In contrast, a 2018 study tested the effects of ALA acid on a group of 21 multiple sclerosis patients. Researchers noted improvements in motor function in those with less disabilityand.

This study, however, is only a prelude to learning more about the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in supporting the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Thyroid

Alpha-lipoic acid can reduce the concentration of hormones thyroid. Therefore, people suffering from disorders of this organ should consult an endocrinologist before starting ALA acid supplementsand.

Today, there is a lack of human scientific studies evaluating the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on thyroid function, although there are many indications that ALA and the thyroid are not indifferent. 

A case-control analysis of hypothyroidism in 2022 rats showed an improvement in their condition after supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid or metforminand. Would these substances have had the same effect in tailless bipedal mammals? Not known.

See also:

• What the thyroid gland is responsible for
• Hypothyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
.
• Hashimoto's disease
.

Cancer

Always when I hear about miraculous discoveries and substances that 'cure' cancer, I immediately become suspicious. However, I cannot ignore reports of ALA acid's achievements in the fight against cancer. Here is what the research says:

The antioxidant properties of alpha-lipoic acid may contribute to the death of cancer cells in certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer and lung cancerand.

However, it is also a fact that ALA acid can interact with chemotherapy preparations and interfere with their effects .

What is the conclusion? ALA acid can be a great ally in preventing the development of cancer. However, if you are suffering from cancer and want to start taking alpha-lipoic acid - be sure to consult your oncologist. And under no circumstances treat ALA acid as the only treatment! I want this to resound: ALA acid is not a cure for cancer.

Diabetes

Thanks to its properties affecting cellular insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake, alpha-lipoic acid may help treat insulin resistance and diabetes.

A retrospective observational study involving 322 patients treated with different doses of ALA (i.e. 400, 600, 800 and 1,200 mg/day) concluded that chronic use (4 years) of ALA is well tolerated at all doses, with improvement in glycaemic status only at high doses in those with disglycaemia, adds pharmacist.

However, the most research has been devoted to the effect of ALA acid on patients with diabetic neuropathy, a dangerous complication accompanying an advanced form of diabetesand.

Diabetic neuropathy manifests as severe muscle pain and spasms, as well as muscle weakness, which can lead to mobility problems and disability. Results from numerous studies suggest that supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid reduced pain and improved overall function in patientsand.

The greatest efficacy of ALA acid in diabetic neuropathy is demonstrated by its intravenous administration - in the form of an injection. Unfortunately, this method of treatment is not reimbursed in Poland and one has to bear the full costs.

Other

Alpha-lipoic acid may also be helpful in:

.
• delaying the body's ageing process,
.
• alleviating symptoms of ailments of the liver,
.
• removal of metals from the body (including chelation of iron),
.
• prevention of cardiovascular disease,
.
• weight reduction,
.

Speaking of the efficacy of ALA acid in weight loss, I must add that the conclusions of the studies are not consistent. The results show a considerable discrepancy between the weight loss effects obtained. In some studies they are clear, in others quite the oppositeand.

There is no doubt that while ALA can help in the fight against unwanted pounds, a calorie deficit (achieved through a balanced diet) and physical activity are key.

Alpha-lipoic acid: deficiency and excess

Alpha-lipoic acid is crucial for many processes in the body. Despite this, symptoms of its deficiency are unlikely to be observed. The exceptions are people suffering from very rare genetic disorders that interfere with the natural synthesis of ALA in the body.

Similarly, it is difficult to overdose on alpha-lipoic acid, although incidents of accidental or deliberate ingestion of huge portions of it have been reported in medicine. 

Overdose has been associated with neurological symptoms, cardiac arrhythmias and metabolic acidosisand. In one case, a 14-year-old girl who took a large amount of alpha-lipoic acid in a suicide attempt developed multiple organ failure, leading to death .

Alpha-lipoic acid: drug or dietary supplement

There are both alpha-lipoic acid preparations available on the Polish market in the form of a medicine and dietary supplement. When deciding on a particular product, it is worth bearing in mind that the marketing of a medicine (even one available over-the-counter) requires the submission of appropriate studies. This ensures that you are assured that the preparation will work and that its manufacturing process is controlled.

On the other hand, many of the top manufacturers of dietary supplements offer products with high-quality ingredients and also have tests and certifications to prove the purity and grade of the raw materials.

What is certainly worth paying attention to when choosing ALA acid is its form. The best action and absorption into the body is demonstrated by R-ALA acidand.

Alpha-lipoic acid: sources in the diet

You don't need to take drugs or supplements at all to provide yourself with ALA acid. The following are rich in it:

• spinach,
.
• broccoli,
.
• tomatoes,
.
• beef offal,
.
• potatoes,
.
• green peas,
.
• rice bran,
.
• beef,
.
• carrots,
.
• beet,
.

Alpha-lipoic acid: dosage

Neither a daily requirement or a maximum daily dose has been specified for alpha-lipoic acid. However, it is considered safe for adults to take between 200 mg and 2,400 mg of ALA dailyand.

Most of the studies on alpha-lipoic acid involved giving patients daily doses of approximately 600 mgand.

Alpha-lipoic acid: contraindications

Alpha-lipoic acid is a safe substance; however, it may interact with some medications. Therefore, if you are taking any medication, consult your doctor before taking ALA.

Caution is advised.

Caution is also advised for those suffering from diseases in which alpha-lipoic acid aids therapy (as it may unnecessarily potentiate the effects of other drugs). Beware should also be taken by people with disorders of the liver, low levels of thyroid hormones and iron deficienciesand.

Alpha-lipoic acid: side effects

The most common side effects of taking alpha-lipoic acid preparations are:

• problems with the digestive system,
.
• skin lesions,
.
• allergic reactions,
.
• dizziness,
.

Most of the above symptoms are associated with sensitisation to specific components of ingested productsand.

Alpha-lipoic acid: what not to combine with

The effects of alpha-lipoic acid preparations may be reduced:

• alcohol,
.
• protein,
.
• calcium,
.
• iron,
.
• zinc,
.
• magnesium,
.
• manganese,
.

At the same time, if you are taking any organic metals (e.g. iron), alpha-lipoic acid will neutralise their effects and accelerate their removal from the bodyand.

Summary