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Alpha Lipoic Acid - ALA
Related brain smart Vitamin product: Alpha Lipoic Acid-R
Antioxidant
What is ALA?
ALA is a fatty acid found naturally inside every cell in the body. It's needed by the body to produce the energy for our body's normal functions. ALA is responsible for converting glucose into energy.
ALA is also an antioxidant, a substance that neutralizes potentially harmful chemicals called free radicals. What makes it unique is that it functions in water and fat, unlike the more common antioxidants vitamins C and E, and it appears to be able to recycle antioxidants such as vitamin C and glutathione after they have been used up. Glutathione is an important antioxidant that helps the body eliminate potentially harmful substances. Alpha lipoic acid increases the formation of glutathione.
ALA is made by the body and can be found in very small amounts in foods such as spinach, broccoli, peas, Brewer's yeast, brussel sprouts, rice bran, and organ meats. Alpha Lipoic Vitamins are available in capsule form available lab direct online. For maximum absorption, the supplements should be taken on an empty stomach with acetyl carnitine.
Health Benefits of ALA
Fights Alzheimer's disease
It can plays a major role in converting our food into cellular energy. ALA unlike other antioxidants, which only work in either water or fatty environments, functions in both. When the body uses up vitamins C and E during times of stress, Alpha lipoic acid converts the by products into new antioxidant compounds, thus recycling the vitamins. The main health benefit of ALA is that it prevents the type of nerve damage seen in diabetes and Alzheimer's diseases. Alpha lipoic acid also helps ward off cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataracts,and diabetes.
Brain Function Benefits
It can cross the blood-brain barrier, a wall of tiny vessels and structural cells, and pass easily into the brain. It is thought to protect brain and nerve tissue by preventing free radical damage.
Age-Related Benefits
As an antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid can neutralize free radicals which can damage cells. Free radical damage is thought to contribute to aging and chronic illness.
ALA...best form Natural source DHLA
R-lipoic acid increases cellular and mitochondrial antioxidant activity and prevents mitochondrial decay associated with aging.26 Because of this, the increase in oxidative stress with aging is said to be reduced. DHLA R- Alpha lipoic acid is neuroprotective and has been shown to help improve poor memory, while slowing cognition deficits associated with aging. R-lipoic acid has also demonstrated its ability to reduce the gain in body fat from aging by improving metabolic function. Studies have also shown R- Alpha lipoic acid to reduce oxidative damage to fats in the body and to block damage to the heart from stress. DHLA R-lipoic acid can increase glucose uptake in insulin resistant cells because it can mimic insulin’s properties. This active “R” natural DHLA form of alppha lipoic acid can regenerate the oxidized forms of antioxidants by recycling coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione back into their active state.
ALA and Acetyl l-Carnitine
ALA works best and to be better assimilated in conjuction with the use of Acetyl Carnitine. Always look for the R form of alpha lipoic acid combined with acetyl carnitine as this is the best form of ALA to take.
Potential Dangers and Side Effects
Side effects of alpha lipoic acid may include headache, tingling or a "pins and needles" sensation, skin rash, or muscle cramps.
There have been a few reports in Japan of a rare condition called insulin autoimmune syndrome in people using alpha lipoic acid. The condition causes hypoglycemia and antibodies directed against the body's own insulin without previous insulin therapy.
The safety of alpha lipoic acid in pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with kidney or liver disease is unknown.
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