Lipoic acid, also known as alpha lipoic acid, is an antioxidant, not an amino acid. Antioxidants are substances that can neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals. Free radicals form in your body because of the normal processes of metabolism and also because of exposure to toxins such as cigarette smoke. Free radicals are known to cause cell damage and have been implicated as a cause of degenerative diseases.
Sources of Lipoic Acid
Your body can create small amounts of lipoic acid, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. This nutrient is also found in a vast range of both animal- and plant-based foods. Organ meats such as liver and kidney are rich in lipoic acid. Plant-based food sources of the nutrient include spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, peas and Brussels sprouts. Lipoic acid is also available as a nutritional supplement, in which it is unbound to protein unlike in food. Dietary supplements ranging from 200 to 600 mg of lipoic acid may provide up to 1000 times more lipoic acid than you could obtain through dietary sources alone.
Lipoic Acid in the Body
Lipoic acid is present in every cell in your body. It helps provide energy by assisting the metabolism of glucose. Lipoic acid possesses an attribute rare among antioxidants in that it is soluble in both fat and water; thus, it can enact various effects throughout the tissues of your body, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Effects on Disease
This antioxidant demonstrates the potential to be an effective in the treatment of a number of disorders, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Laboratory studies have indicated it has the ability to kill tumor cells. Human studies have demonstrated that it increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, making it a nutrient of interest in the treatment of diabetes. It may also aid the alleviation of nerve damage, the treatment of liver disease, and the prevention of sun damage to the skin. According to Dr. Weijian Zhang of the LInus Pauling Institute, lipoic acid may also help fight atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Considerations
Lipoic acid is not known to commonly cause serious side effects. Allergic reactions have sometimes occurred, accompanied by throat spasms, rashes, hives and itching. Some people experience malodorous urine after taking dosages of 1200 mg per day, and others have reported gastrointestinal distress, vomiting and diarrhea. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends 200 to 400 mg of lipoic acid daily for most people, and adds that this should be taken on an empty stomach for maximal absorption. Lipoic acid should not be taken with thyroid medications. The antioxidant may enhance the effects of drugs that lower blood sugar.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Lipoic Acid; Jane Higdon; April 2006
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Alpha-lipoic Acid
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: The Role of Lipoic Acid in Inflammation and Atherosclerosis; Weijian Zhang; May 2003
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Alpha-Lipoic Acid; January 2011
Member Comments