Lipoic acid is an antioxidant your body produces and uses to convert glucose into energy. Antioxidants are substances that protect your body from free-radical damage. Free radicals are essentially waste your body makes when you convert food into energy. Lipoic acid is soluble in both water and fat. This allows lipoic acid to work all over your body. Lipoic acid also helps your body regenerate antioxidants that have been depleted after attacking free radicals.
Brain and Nervous System
Lipoic acid has positive effects on cognitive function, Drugs.com says. Lipoic acid reduces the effects of oxidative stress and improves memory-related signaling pathways. Using lipoic acid will help delay the effects of aging and help prevent cognitive dysfunction. This suggests that lipoic acid is a beneficial addition to the medications used to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Lipoic acid will not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it will certainly delay the disease's progression. Lipoic acid is also useful in alleviating the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction related to other diseases affecting your central nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Diabetes
Diabetics benefit from taking lipoic acid because it helps lower blood sugar levels, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Lipoic acid also alleviates the pain and numbness caused by the peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes. Lipoic acid is also beneficial in alleviating autonomic neuropathy, a diabetes complication affecting the nerves connected to the heart.
Cancer
You can take lipoic acid to lower your risk of developing cancer. Some proponents believe lipoic acid inhibits the genes that cause cancerous growth in your body. Researchers have begun gauging lipoic acid's use as a means of preventing nerve damage from the medications used in chemotherapy. Although no conclusive evidence categorically proves lipoic acid impedes the progression of cancer, some studies suggest lipoic acid might induce cancer cell death.
Possible Interactions
Taking 20 to 50 mg of lipoic acid daily for general antioxidant support should generally be safe, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Lipoic acid is not recommended for children at any dose because the potential adverse effects of lipoic acid have not been fully studied. Lipoic acid might boost the effects of medication that lowers blood sugar, such as insulin, which risks hypoglycemia. Lipoic acid might also decrease the potency of thyroid hormone medication. You should consult your doctor before taking lipoic acid to determine risks and find a dose that best suits your needs.
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