Present in every cell of the body – much like glutatione – alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that helps your cells convert glucose into energy. Unlike antioxidants like Vitamin C which can only work in water or vitamin E which only works in fat , ALA works – is soluable in both water and fact so it can work anywhere in your body. Like other antioxidants, ALA helps clear free radicals -metabolic trash – from your cells before they become cluttered and toxic from a build up of waste. Unlike many other antioxidants though, Alpha lipoic Acid has the ability to help to regenerate other antioxidants once they have collected the stray electrons and through the regeneration process renders them able to continue to neutralize more free radicals.
ALA is also used as an abbreviation for Alpha Linolenic Acid which is an omega-3 fatty acid, connected with heart health, but this is a different substance from Alpha lipoic acid – also referred to as Lipoic Acid.
Several studies have indicated that ALA may be able to help reduce levels of blood sugar and combined with it’s antioxidant properties, ALA might be helpful to people suffering from diabetic peripheral neuropathy, relieving some of the discomfort caused by nerve damage.
Researchers are studying alpha lipoic acid to determine its effectiveness against glaucoma although the are yet to collect sufficient data, but because it can pass easilt to the brain, it is possible that ALA might be useful as a protector against brain and nerve tissue damage. it is currently being studied as a possible treatment for stroke and other brain problems with root causes based on free radical damage. Dementia is one such condition.
ALA is one of the ingredients in Dr Keller’s Original Glutathione Formula where it works with your body’s glutathione and as a powerful antioxidant, fights the root causes of premature aging.