Prevent Disease – by Jeff Sutton
Many fitness enthusiasts have already been exposed to Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) as it is commonly found in quality fitness supplements. Used to help improve energy levels, it also repairs oxidative damage, neutralizes free radicals and boosts antioxidant activity.
Antioxidant Activity of ALA
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is one of the few antioxidants that is both water and fat soluble, granting it access to every nook and cranny in our body. This proves to be particularly beneficial when looking at cognitive health benefits, as many antioxidants are incapable of passing through the blood brain barrier.
Touted as a powerful detoxifier, anti-inflammatory, and treatment for diabetes, hypertension, vascular disease, cognitive disorders and neuromuscular disorders. Alpha lipoic acid is also capable of increasing the body’s “master antioxidant” glutathione.
Antioxidants are used up after neutralizing free radical species, but evidence shows that alpha lipoic acid can help regenerate itself and other antioxidants, converting them back into their active forms. This is an extraordinary ability that very few antioxidants have, offering a myriad of benefits on its own while boosting the activity of other antioxidants.
Improve Glucose Uptake
One of the major health benefits of ALA is its ability to mimic insulin. Improving glucose uptake and helping to prevent insulin resistance, an exceptionally beneficial characteristic for both diabetics and prediabetics.
Insulin’s job is to usher glucose into our cells, providing the building blocks for energy production. This increased glucose uptake is great for athletes who are looking to maximize their workouts, increasing stamina and muscular endurance.
Prevent and Treat
Studies have shown that by supplementing lipoic acid, diabetics showed an improvement in polyneuropathies of the feet and lower limbs. This is not only important for individuals with diabetes, but any vascular disorder.
ALA’s ability to help lower blood sugar levels and neutralize free radicals help people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy suffering from pain, burning, numbness and itching due to nerve damage.
The neuroprotective benefits of alpha lipoic acid have made it a premier cognitive supplement and preventative measure against neurodegenerative diseases. With an impressive history as a treatment for the symptoms associated with diabetes, it is no question ALA yields immense health benefits.
Sources:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756298/
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19019027
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11375349
Jeff Sutton regularly wrties for GlutathionePRO.com, an information based website he founded in order to help raise awareness for glutathione and other dietary supplements. Formulating his own L-glutathione complex GSH Gold.
I take 600 mgs. every day. According to Dr. Russell Blaylock, it’s what the Russians gave the teens and pre-teens near Chernobyl, and it reduced all of their radiation levels to normal (and below normal in some cases).
Hardly surprised this isn’t widely known, given the goal of Fukushima.