The "Universal" Antioxidant

So I was doing some research on Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) which is the key in Omega 3's and the flaxseed I wrote about several years ago. I saw what I thought was ALA on the shelf at Trader Joe's and decided to pick it up. When I got home, I saw the bottle actually read Alpha Lipoic Acid". Still ALA right?

Being the diligent little nerd that I am I took to the internet to read all about ALPHA LIPOIC ACID...also known as the "UNIVERSAL" antioxidant. It seems like an amazing little pill...so I have been taking it. Healthier? Who knows, but at least I think I am.

Check out this article...ALL INFO IS FROM DOUGLAS LABORATORIES...References available. This research was not done by the author of this blog...just posted for information purposes.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid
The Universal Antioxidant with Metabolic Functions

DESCRIPTION
Amni®Alpha-Lipoic Acid tablets, provided by Douglas
Laboratories®, contain 100 mg of pure alpha-lipoic acid.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a non-vitamin coenzyme that carries out
important metabolic and antioxidant functions in the body.

FUNCTIONS
Alpha-lipoic acid is a nutritional coenzyme that is involved
in energy metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, has
physiological functions in blood glucose disposal, and is able
to scavenge a number of free radicals.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a fat- and water-soluble, sulfurcontaining
coenzyme. It functions in the body much like a
B-vitamin, since it is involved in energy production. As part
of several multi-enzyme complexes located in the
mitochondria, alpha-lipoic acid is essential for metabolizing
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and for the conversion of
their energy into ATP. Two of these enzyme complexes,
PDH (pyruvate dehydrogenase) and alpha-KGDH (alphaketoglutarate
dehydrogenase) are part of the citric acid cycle
(Krebs cycle), and as such assume a central role for general
energy production. Another lipoic acid containing enzyme
complex, BCKADH (branched-chain keto-acid
dehydrogenase), is involved in deriving energy from the
branched chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
A related metabolic function of alpha-lipoic acid is its role in
blood glucose disposal. This important coenzyme appears to
be necessary for the normal transport of blood glucose into
the cell. This may be explained by its functions in the
glucose-metabolizing enzymes, PDH and alpha-KGDH, but
some researchers suspect a more direct role in cellular
glucose uptake at the cell membrane.

As early as 1959, alpha-lipoic acid was suggested to be an
antioxidant, since it could extend the actions of vitamin C in
guinea pigs, and those of vitamin E in rats. It is only
recently, however, that the specific actions of alpha-lipoic
acid in free radical quenching, metal chelation, and
antioxidant regeneration have been investigated.
Body cells and tissues are threatened continuously by
damage caused by toxic free radicals and reactive oxygen
species (e.g., peroxides) which are produced during normal
oxygen metabolism, and by toxic agents in the environment.
Free radicals, once formed, are capable of disrupting
metabolic activity and cell structure. When this occurs,
additional free radicals are produced which, in turn, can
result in more extensive damage to cells and tissues. The
uncontrolled production of free radicals is thought to be a
major contributing factor to many degenerative diseases.
Alpha-lipoic acid is unique among biological antioxidants,
because it is soluble in both water and lipids. This allows it
to neutralize free radicals just about everywhere in the body,
inside and outside the cells. Due to its unique sulfurcontaining
structure, alpha-lipoic acid can scavenge several
types of free radicals, such as the highly reactive hydroxyl,
and singlet oxygen free radicals. It is also capable of
suppressing the generation of free radicals in the first place,
since alpha-lipoic acid chelates transition metals, such as
iron and copper. Because alpha-lipoic acid is involved in so
many different antioxidant functions in virtually all body
tissues, it has been called the universal antioxidant.
Besides being a universal free radical scavenger, alpha-lipoic
acid can also recharge other antioxidant systems throughout
the body. As mentioned earlier, it can extend the activity of
vitamins C and E. In addition, alpha-lipoic acid can also
regenerate glutathione.

INDICATIONS
Alpha-lipoic acid may be a beneficial dietary supplement for
those concerned about a more complete antioxidant defense
system and maintaining proper glucose metabolism. Dietary
and supplementary alpha-lipoic acid is efficiently absorbed,
transported to the tissues, and readily taken up by the cells.

END


So I think it looks like a beneficial substance...will report back later.