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Alpha-Lipoic Acid
What is Alpha-Lipoic Acid? Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful anti-oxidant that is synthesized within the liver and other tissues. Anti-oxidants are known to protect biological systems from oxidative damage. ALA is believed to protect against the development of artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), hypertension, strokes, diabetes, protects against ageing, and improves memory. It has also been shown to increase the level of creatine stored within muscle cells. It is found naturally in our diets, within vegetables such as spinach, brocholli, sprouts and tomatoes. However, it is only through supplementation that ALA reaches potentially therapeutic levels (Wollin and Jones, 2003).
Who might benefit from Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplementation? ALA may be of benefit to anyone looking to improve their health, and well-being, by protecting against the damaging effects of free-radicals (damaging by-products of metabolism). In this way it may be of benefit to hard training individuals, looking to reduce the negative effects of prolonged, or intense, training. It may also be of benefit to athletes looking to enhance muscle creatine levels.
What does research say about Alpha-lipoic Acid? ALA is known to be a very potent anti-oxidant (Midaoui and Champlain, 2002). In fact, it is several times more potent than other common anti-oxidants like vitamin C and E. Anti-oxidants protect against the damaging effects of free-radicals that are produced during normal metabolic processes. Free-radicals cause many damaging effects within our bodies, including: interference with normal cellular processes, damage to cell membranes and structures, damage and breakage of DNA strands. Free-radicals are believed to play a role in the development of many chronic diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, heart disease, diabetes, and play a major role in the processes of ageing (Stephanie and Jones, 2003). Within the body ALA is often reduced to dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA). ALA and DHLA are some of the most powerful biological anti-oxidant systems (Moini et al., 2002). ALA has a further positive effect in that it is known to be able to re-synthesize vitamins C, E, and glutathionine, and therefore enhances the effectiveness of these anti-oxidant systems (Biewenga et al., 1997; Kagan et al., 1992). Unlike most other anti-oxidants, ALA is both water and fat soluble, and therefore can have positive effects in all parts of the human body – it is able to have positive effects in parts of the body made mainly of water (heart, muscles etc.) and parts of the body made mainly of fats (nervous system, brain etc.). Research, looking at the effect of ALA supplementation on the rate of artherosclerosis (hardening, and eventually, blocking of the arteries) has found that the supplementation of 600mg of ALA prevents premature artherosclerosis (Marangon et al., 1999). The reduced amount of artherosclerosis is thought to be primarily due to ALA’s anti-oxidant effect (Marangon et al., 1999). By reducing the amount of artheroscelrosis supplementing with ALA will reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and hypertension (Leaf and Halleq, 1992; Wollin and Jones, 2003). It has also been shown to combat some of the negative effects that some anti-tumour drugs have on the heart (Balachandar et al., 2003). Research has shown that ALA supplementation can prevent hypertension (Midaoui and Champlin, 2002; Midaoui et al., 2003) and reduce free-radical production, within the heart, through its anti-oxidant action (Midaoui et al., 2003). ALA may also prove to be uselful in the treatment of some types of liver disease, specifically: alcohol induced damage, mushroom poisoning, and metal intoxification (Bustamante et al., 1998). ALA may prove to be a useful supplement for people suffering with type II diabetes. It has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity (Jacob et al., 1995; Jacob et al., 1999), improve the effects of insulin on skeletal muscle glucose transport (Peth et al., 2000), and reduce the synthesis of fatty acids (Wagh et al., 1987). ALA supplementation enhances the removal of glucose from the blood, thereby helping to stabilise blood sugar levels, and increases muscle uptake of glucose instead of uptake by fat cells (Packer et al., 1995). The enhanced glucose uptake is believed to be because ALA increases the number of glucose transporters on the surface of cells (Bustamente et al., 1998). The ability of ALA to enhance the uptake of glucose, within muscle cells, may have a positive effect for athletes by helping to ensure that muscle glycogen levels remain high. This could prove useful if athletes want to enhance glucose muscle uptake, after exercise. It is for this reason that ALA supplements are commonly taking by bodybuilders and many athletes, in combination with heavy training. ALA supplementation has also been shown to enhance the uptake of creatine within muscle cells (Burke et al., 2003). This is likely to be due to ALAs ability to enhance the uptake of glucose within muscles. Creatine is often combined with a high sugar drink to enhance its uptake. This increases insulin levels which in turn help to drive creatine into the muscle cells. Because ALA increases the muscles sensitivity to insulin it will further increase the uptake of creatine by the muscles. Another interesting area of research concerning ALA supplementation is that it posesses anti-ageing properties. Two of the key factors involved in ageing are: decreased metabolism particularly through decreased mitochondrial function; and increased levels of oxidative stress (Hagen et al., 2002a; Hagen et al., 2002b; Liu et al., 2002). Supplementing with ALA, has been shown to enhance memory function – particularly when combined with acetyl-l-carnitine – primarily by lowering oxidative damage and reversing some of the age associated reductions in mitochondrial function (Hagen et al., 2002a; Hagen et al., 2002b; Liu et al., 2002). ALA is known to pass easily into the brain, where it has many positive effects including a significant reduction in the accumulation of the heavy metals copper and iron, in the brain (Midaoui and Champlain, 2002). It is through this process that ALA may enhance brain function by lowering iron and copper induced oxidative stress. A combination of ALA and acetyl-l-carnitine has proved very effective at reversing the effects of ageing (Hagen et al., 2002). This research found significant improvements in metabolic rate, physiological activity, and reductions in the level of cellular damage by free-radicals. ALA supplementation may also enhance the healing process from injury. Research looking at a combination of Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy and ALA supplementation (Alleva et al., 2005). HBO treatment has proved to be an effective treatment for speeding up the healing process. However, the high levels of oxygen used in HBO treatment increase levels of free radicals, and thus increase levels of cellular damage. When ALA supplements were used in conjunction HBO treatment, the level of both lipid and DNA oxidation decreased, indication reduced levels of cellular damage. This was believed to be due to ALAs anti-oxidant ability (soaking up of free-radicals) and/or a recycling of vitamin E.
How Should I take Alpha-lipoic Acid supplements? Current research is not clear as to which dose of ALA is optimum (Wollin and Jones, 2003). Research has found ALA to be effective when taken at between 200-1800mg. For general health benefits, and to enhance insulin sensitivity/glucose uptake, consider taking 200mg, 2-3 times per day.
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