Alpha Lipoic Acid,
The Master Blaster
Antioxidants:
Over the last 10 to 15 years there has been an increasing amount of talk, press and buzz about free radicals and the items, foods and nutrients that combat them called antioxidants. What is a free radical and what does it do you ask?! They are renegade molecules traveling throughout our bodies that have an unpaired electron and if left unguarded will aggressively steal an electron from healthy tissue, causing damage, toxicity, degenerative diseases, aging and in some instances death of tissue and cells. Free radicals are produced in the body by several means: as a result of the cellular metabolic process, from environmental pollutants, radiation, chemical exposure, diabetes, stress, over exposure to the sun, and from alcohol and tobacco use. Free radicals produced by the body actually have useful purposes such as supporting immune function and destroying unwanted cells and microbes. However, when there is an overproduction or influx, they become destructive to our health. Agents that combat the effects of free radials are called antioxidants. The more well-known antioxidants are nutrients like vitamins C, E, A, beta-carotene, the minerals selenium and zinc, certain B-vitamins, specific amino acids (glutathione, cysteine, methionine), and constituents found in fresh fruit, berries and dark-green leafy vegetables. In addition, there are numerous flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols and isoflavonoids found throughout nature that are also excellent antioxidants.
Alpha Lipoic Acid, the master antioxidant, also known as thioctic acid, was isolated in 1951 and is produced in the body in small amounts. As we age, the body loses the ability to produce alpha lipoic acid in sufficient quantities. According to many experts on antioxidants, this vitamin-like substance is the superstar of antioxidant players. Not only does alpha lipoic acid outshine the many other antioxidants in performance, it also enhances the function of several of the more popular antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, coenzyme Q10 and glutathione (an amino acid), and assists in their recycling (antioxidants are normally used up in the process of defeating free radicals). Like most superstars, alpha lipoic acid has many fantastic moves. It also has the ability to cleave on to toxic heavy metals in the blood stream and escort them out of the body, assist the pancreas in sound glucose management, reduce insulin resistance and increase insulin sensitivity. It also aids in efficient neurotransmission in the brain, it assists in elevated energy production at the cellular level, increases efficient calorie use and weight loss, it crosses the blood brain barrier and unlike other antioxidants is both water and fat soluble. This means that alpha lipoic acid can work well both inside and outside the cell structure of any organ including the brain. Yes, this nutrient is truly the MVP of antioxidants.
Over the last 10 to 15 years there has been an increasing amount of talk, press and buzz about free radicals and the items, foods and nutrients that combat them called antioxidants. What is a free radical and what does it do you ask?! They are renegade molecules traveling throughout our bodies that have an unpaired electron and if left unguarded will aggressively steal an electron from healthy tissue, causing damage, toxicity, degenerative diseases, aging and in some instances death of tissue and cells. Free radicals are produced in the body by several means: as a result of the cellular metabolic process, from environmental pollutants, radiation, chemical exposure, diabetes, stress, over exposure to the sun, and from alcohol and tobacco use. Free radicals produced by the body actually have useful purposes such as supporting immune function and destroying unwanted cells and microbes. However, when there is an overproduction or influx, they become destructive to our health. Agents that combat the effects of free radials are called antioxidants. The more well-known antioxidants are nutrients like vitamins C, E, A, beta-carotene, the minerals selenium and zinc, certain B-vitamins, specific amino acids (glutathione, cysteine, methionine), and constituents found in fresh fruit, berries and dark-green leafy vegetables. In addition, there are numerous flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols and isoflavonoids found throughout nature that are also excellent antioxidants.
Alpha Lipoic Acid, the master antioxidant, also known as thioctic acid, was isolated in 1951 and is produced in the body in small amounts. As we age, the body loses the ability to produce alpha lipoic acid in sufficient quantities. According to many experts on antioxidants, this vitamin-like substance is the superstar of antioxidant players. Not only does alpha lipoic acid outshine the many other antioxidants in performance, it also enhances the function of several of the more popular antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, coenzyme Q10 and glutathione (an amino acid), and assists in their recycling (antioxidants are normally used up in the process of defeating free radicals). Like most superstars, alpha lipoic acid has many fantastic moves. It also has the ability to cleave on to toxic heavy metals in the blood stream and escort them out of the body, assist the pancreas in sound glucose management, reduce insulin resistance and increase insulin sensitivity. It also aids in efficient neurotransmission in the brain, it assists in elevated energy production at the cellular level, increases efficient calorie use and weight loss, it crosses the blood brain barrier and unlike other antioxidants is both water and fat soluble. This means that alpha lipoic acid can work well both inside and outside the cell structure of any organ including the brain. Yes, this nutrient is truly the MVP of antioxidants.
Common Uses of Alpha Lipoic Acid at a Glance
- Excellent liver detoxifier and rejuvenator
- Combats chronic hepatitis B and C
- Prevents development of cataracts
- Facilitates the efficient use of glucose or blood sugar by all organs
- Prevents the pain of diabetic neuropathy
- Assists sound cardiovascular function
- Aids in proper pancreatic function and glucose management
- Assists in minimizing damage of strokes & aiding the recovery of stroke victims
- Is a superb anti aging nutrient
- Supports the recycling of other antioxidants
- Is one of few substances that can cross the blood brain barrier
Dietary Sources:
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Beef
- Yeast
- Kidney
- Heart
References:
Syndrome X..................J. Challem, B. Berkson, M. Smith
Preventing Diabetes with Natural Medicines.....
..........Michael Murray, N.D.
Healthy Aging............................................Andrew Weil, M.D.
Integrative Medicine Access.........
..............Integrated Medicine Communications
Clinical Pearls Data Base..........................Kirk Hamilton
Preventing Diabetes with Natural Medicines.....
..........Michael Murray, N.D.
Healthy Aging............................................Andrew Weil, M.D.
Integrative Medicine Access.........
..............Integrated Medicine Communications
Clinical Pearls Data Base..........................Kirk Hamilton
Wallace B. Sconiers, Ph.D., Hom, CN
For more information and to schedule an appointment with
Dr. Wallace, please call (661) 729-4533.
Services & Fees: www.drwallacesconiers.net
