Alpha-lipoic acid

No summary available for this substance.

Alpha-lipoic acid

Alpha-lipoic acid is an organosulfur compound derived from octanoic acid. It's found naturally in foods like spinach, broccoli, and potatoes. It's also produced in the human body and is vital for aerobic metabolism. It's both water- and fat-soluble, which allows it to work in every cell or tissue in the body. The compound functions as an antioxidant and can also recycle other antioxidants, like Vitamin C and E, enhancing their effectiveness.

Category
Antioxidant
Molecular Formula
C8H14O2S2
Mechanism of Action
Alpha-lipoic acid functions as a coenzyme in the Krebs cycle, aiding in the production of energy from carbohydrates. It also has antioxidant properties, neutralizing harmful free radicals, and can regenerate other antioxidants in the body.
Evidence Grade
B

Other Names

  • Thioctic acid
  • lipoic acid
  • ALA

Primary Benefits

  • Improves insulin sensitivity
  • Reduces symptoms of nerve damage
  • Helps with weight loss
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Boosts skin health

Recommended Dosage

Adults 600-1800 mg/day in divided doses
Children Not recommended without medical advice

Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Rashes
  • Abdominal pain
  • Itching

Precautions

  • People with thiamine deficiency
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • People with diabetes who are taking other medications

Interactions

  • Medications for diabetes
  • Chemotherapy medications
  • Thyroid medications

Key References

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756298/
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-alpha-lipoic-acid/art-20362032
  • https://www.webmd.com/diet/alpha-lipoic-acid-ala
How to Optimize Female Hormone Health for Vitality & Longevity | Dr. Sara Gottfried
Optimizing Women's Health: Hormones, Nutrition, Exercise, and Genetics Insights 37:44 0
“What I like to do with nutritional testing is run a panel that's looking at antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C, Alpha lipoic acid, plant-based antioxidants. You can measure that in the blood.”

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Dr. Bill Harris on the Omega-3 Index: Increasing Omega-3 to Promote Longevity & Transform Health
Understanding Omega-3 Impact: Health Benefits Through Diet and Research 20:50 0
“if we can get over the gmo issue there are two or three groups that have found ways to put genes into plant or land plant animal land plants that can be grown you know as long as you've got ground you can grow them um camelina is one even soybean oil which starts with ala you can get up to a fair amount of dha epa and dha with genetic engineering of these plants”

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The 5 Compounds that Detoxify & Protect the Brain (neuroprotectants) – Dr. Sherr
Understanding the Visual Programming Language Processing for Creative Expression 0:00 0
“what alphalapoic acid can do is that it helps in that mitochondria it helps neutralize free radicals directly and then at the same time it recycles your major antioxidants your glutathione your vitamin C your vitamin E”

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The 5 Compounds that Detoxify & Protect the Brain (neuroprotectants) – Dr. Sherr
Understanding the Visual Programming Language Processing for Creative Expression 0:13 0
“it also upregulates another pathway called the NRF2 pathway the NRF2 pathway is the pathway that helps you produce more glutathione in your brain as well”

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The 5 Compounds that Detoxify & Protect the Brain (neuroprotectants) – Dr. Sherr
Understanding the Visual Programming Language Processing for Creative Expression 3:55 0
“alphalopoic acid is one of the unsung antioxidants out there people have heard of glutathione and vitamin C and vitamin E alphalapoic acid is actually the one that recycles all of those to make them more effective in the body”

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The 5 Compounds that Detoxify & Protect the Brain (neuroprotectants) – Dr. Sherr
Understanding the Visual Programming Language Processing for Creative Expression 5:15 0
“alphalapoic acid can do is that it helps in that mitochondria it helps neutralize free radicals directly and then at the same time it recycles your major antioxidants your glutathione your vitamin C your vitamin E it also upregulates another pathway called the NRF2 pathway”

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The 5 Compounds that Detoxify & Protect the Brain (neuroprotectants) – Dr. Sherr
Understanding the Visual Programming Language Processing for Creative Expression 6:34 0
“alphamoic acid is one of the best toxin neutralizers out there it actually can bind and neutralize cadmium mercury arsenic and lead”

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The 5 Compounds that Detoxify & Protect the Brain (neuroprotectants) – Dr. Sherr
Understanding the Visual Programming Language Processing for Creative Expression 7:27 0
“it also increases insulin sensitivity and so more you know you're going to have more glucose that goes into the cell as opposed to if you're more insulin resistance”

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The 5 Compounds that Detoxify & Protect the Brain (neuroprotectants) – Dr. Sherr
Understanding the Visual Programming Language Processing for Creative Expression 10:33 0
“some people will be more sensitive to sulfur containing uh things like glutathione or like alphapoic acid and they may get more sulfur-l like symptoms of sometimes in people can cause some oxidative stress itself”

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The 5 Compounds that Detoxify & Protect the Brain (neuroprotectants) – Dr. Sherr
Understanding the Visual Programming Language Processing for Creative Expression 11:44 0
“alpha lipopic acid we're mostly deficient in it most of us could use it on a regular basis um be careful with it before exercise maybe after for recovery especially if you want that hormetic stress of it”

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Dr. Rhonda Patrick: Micronutrients for Health & Longevity | Huberman Lab Podcast #70
Optimizing Health and Longevity Through Nutrients and Lifestyle Choices 1:01:03 0
“And ALA, it can be converted into EPA and DHA, but the conversion is very inefficient and very dependent on a variety of factors, including genetics.”

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Dr. Rhonda Patrick: Micronutrients for Health & Longevity | Huberman Lab Podcast #70
Optimizing Health and Longevity Through Nutrients and Lifestyle Choices 1:01:55 0
“So, if you're looking for the ALA, plant sources would be walnuts, flaxseeds. Those are probably the highest.”

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How Vitamin D, Omega-3s, & Exercise May Increase Longevity | Dr. Rhonda Patrick
Essential Insights for Health and Longevity Through Diet and Lifestyle 23:06 0
“The problem with that is that the conversion of ALA into EPA, and then subsequently DHA, it's very inefficient and there's widespread genetic differences with respect to that conversion.”

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