Alpha lipoic acid, also referred to as lipoic acid or ALA, is a fatty acid that your body manufactures and is also present in some foods, such as spinach, broccoli and organ meats. Alpha lipoic acid functions as an antioxidant and is used as a supplement for the treatment of a variety of health conditions, including high cholesterol. Consult your doctor before using alpha lipoic acid to treat a medical condition.
Combination Therapy
Alpha lipoic acid combined with vitamin C help prevents oxidation of low density lipoprotein, LDL, the bad form of cholesterol, according to a study published in the February 2008 issue of the journal "Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry." In the tissue culture study, alpha lipoic acid preserved levels of vitamin C and vitamin E in cells that line blood vessels, allowing both to carry out their antioxidant functions to protect against lipid oxidation and blood vessel damage. However, alpha lipoic acid did not preserve vitamin C levels in cells that were already stressed. The researchers concluded that alpha lipoic acid together with vitamin C provided protection to blood vessel cells and prevented oxidation of LDL cholesterol in this preliminary tissue culture study.
Oxidation
Alpha lipoic acid improved glucose tolerance and cholesterol levels in a study published in the May 2008 issue of the journal "Clinical Endocrinology." In the study, participants with impaired glucose tolerance took 300 mg of alpha lipoic acid before undergoing a glucose tolerance test. Blood flow, LDL levels and levels of C-reactive protein -- a marker for inflammation -- all improved in the group that took alpha lipoic acid, compared to a control group with impaired glucose tolerance that did not take alpha lipoic acid. The researchers concluded that antioxidant therapy with alpha lipoic acid can prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol and blood vessel damage from elevated blood sugar levels after meals.
Atherosclerosis
A study in the January 2008 issue of the journal "Circulation" found that alpha lipoic acid prevents atherosclerosis in laboratory animals. Diets consisting of 15 percent fat and 4 percent fat supplemented with 0.2 percent alpha lipoic acid reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in both diets. Alpha lipoic acid supplementation resulted in 40 percent less weight gain, lower levels of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, VLDL, and triglycerides. Additionally, scientists observed lower levels of inflammation in the aorta -- the main blood vessel that supplies the body. Researchers concluded that alpha lipoic acid inhibited atherosclerosis by preventing weight gain, lowering triglycerides and reducing inflammation in this preliminary animal study.
High-Fat Diet
A study published in the June 2008 issue of the journal "Nutrition" found that alpha lipoic acid supplementation decreased oxidation of cholesterol, lowered total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL levels and increased levels of high-density lipoprotein, HDL, the good form of cholesterol. In the study on laboratory animals, diets consisting of 4.9 percent fat and 21.5 percent fat were supplemented with 0.1 percent alpha lipoic acid for six weeks. Researchers concluded that alpha lipoic acid modulated cholesterol levels and prevented oxidative stress in this preliminary animal study.
References
- "Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry"; alpha-Lipoic acid and ascorbate prevent LDL oxidation and oxidant stress in endothelial cells; A.K. Sabharwal et al.; February2008
- "Clinical Endocrinology"; The Antioxidant Alpha Lipoic Acid Improves Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Acute Hyperglycemia during OGTT in Impaired Glucose Tolerance; G.D. Xiang et al.; May 2008
- "Circulation"; Dietary Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation Inhibits Atherosclerotic Lesion Development in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient and Apolipoprotein E/Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Deficient Mice; W.J.Zhang et al.; January 2008
- "Nutrition."; Lipoic Acid Prevents High-Fat Diet Induced Dyslipidemia and Oxidative Stress: a MicroArray Analysis; R.L. Yang et al.; June 2008
- Linus Pauling Institute: Lipoic Acid
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