| Alpha Lipoic Acid is a vitamin like antioxidant often
referred to as the "Universal Antioxidant," because
it is soluble in both water and fat. It is also a powerful antioxidant
and actually regenerates free radicals back to their protective
antioxidant state. Studies indicate ALA has proven benefits
for the nervous system including the potential to protect and
repair neurons. ALA also promotes healthy blood sugar levels.
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ALA is made in small quantities in our bodies and is present
in foods such as meats and some vegetables. Alpha Lipoic Acid
is capable of regenerating several other antioxidants back
to their active states including vitamin C, Vitamin E, glutathione,
and Coenzyme
Q-10.
Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid
Many of the benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid is from its' antioxidant
properties and the associated ability to fight free radicals
and regenerate other antioxidants.
Research in the last decade has strongly implicated oxidative
damage within the cells, caused by free radicals, as the cause
of many of the degenerative disorders of aging. Included in
this group is Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, arthritis,
cancer,
heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other conditions.
Studies have shown that oxidative damage is seen throughout
various portions of the brain cells in Alzheimer's patients.
Anti-oxidants have been shown in numerous studies to halt
or reduce oxidative damage in cells and, in many cases, stabilize
and even reverse the cell damage. There have been multiple
studies in the medical literature indicating that antioxidants
can have beneficial effects in slowing down and perhaps even
reducing the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease,
Parkinson's, etc.
Alpha Lipoic Acid has benefits for all types of people and
particularly those with diabetes or higher than normal blood
sugar levels, high cholesterol levels, some vision conditions,
macular degeneration, cardiovascular problems such as
hardening of the arteries and other conditions associated
with the aging process.
Alpha Lipoic Acid increases glucose uptake in the cells and
appears to reduce symptoms of diabetic complications including
cataract formation, vascular damage and even polyneuropathy
(nerve damage).
More recent experimental studies have shown that ALA can actually
reverse the damage in aging cells of the brain. This was a
study published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of
the National Academy of science from February of this year.
In the study, aging rats were treated with either acetyl-L
carnitine or ALA. Both of these nutrients improved performance
in memory tasks by lowering oxidative damage and improving
mitochondrial function.
Summary
Benefits come from Alpha Lipoic Acids powerful antioxidant
properties and its' ability to help control blood sugar levels.
Reducing free radical damage with the use of antioxidants
reduces degenerative disease associated with aging.
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