Alpha lipoic acid
Synopsis of alpha lipoic acid
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a sulfur-containing fatty acid that functions as a powerful antioxidant and metabolic coenzyme in the body. Naturally synthesized in small amounts within the mitochondria, ALA is both water- and fat-soluble, allowing it to work in virtually every tissue of the body—a unique trait among antioxidants. It plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, particularly in the Krebs (citric acid) cycle, where it helps convert nutrients into ATP, the body’s main energy currency.
ALA supports a wide range of physiological functions. As an antioxidant, it neutralizes free radicals and helps regenerate other antioxidants like vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, and glutathione. It also has the ability to chelate heavy metals and reduce oxidative stress, especially in organs susceptible to damage such as the liver, brain, and nerves. In modern herbal and integrative medicine, ALA is widely used for diabetes-related nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), blood sugar regulation, brain support, and liver protection.
Studies suggest that ALA improves insulin sensitivity, making it beneficial in managing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier has also made it a candidate for neuroprotective applications, including cognitive support and protection against age-related neurodegeneration. It is often used alongside acetyl L-carnitine in mitochondrial support formulas.
Commercially, alpha-lipoic acid is available as a dietary supplement in both racemic (R/S) and stabilized R-lipoic acid forms, with the R-isomer being the biologically active form naturally produced in the body. Typical supplemental uses include 300–600 mg daily, depending on the indication.
Historical Use:
Alpha-lipoic acid itself was discovered in the 1950s and isolated as a cofactor involved in mitochondrial energy production. Its antioxidant properties were identified later in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to its emergence as a therapeutic supplement in both conventional and alternative medicine. Because ALA is a biochemically isolated compound, it was not used or known in traditional herbal systems.
However, the functional goals ALA addresses—detoxification, blood sugar balance, nerve health, and energy restoration—were deeply rooted in traditional healing systems. In Ayurveda, herbs such as turmeric, bitter melon, and guduchi were used for their antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), formulas aimed at “clearing heat and toxins” or “nourishing Qi” align conceptually with ALA’s cellular protective effects.
Today, alpha-lipoic acid exemplifies how modern science has isolated and concentrated a naturally occurring metabolic compound to target key aspects of oxidative stress, metabolic health, and mitochondrial function. It bridges the goals of ancient rejuvenative therapies and modern antioxidant research, providing a highly versatile tool in both clinical and holistic health protocols.
Alpha lipoic acid is used for these health conditions
Aging (prevention) (Scientific)
Alzheimer's Disease (Scientific)
Arteriosclerosis (Scientific)
Arthritis (Scientific)
Athletic and Exercise Aids (Scientific)
Autoimmune Disorders (Scientific)
Body Building (Scientific)
Burning Feet or Hands (Scientific)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Scientific)
Cancer (prevention) (Scientific)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Cardiovascular Disease (Scientific)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Scientific)
Cataracts (Scientific)
Chemical Poisoning (Scientific)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Circulation (poor) (Scientific)
Circulation (to the brain) (Scientific)
Cirrhosis of the Liver (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Diabetic Retinopathy (Scientific)
Fatigue (Scientific)
Fatty Liver Disease (Scientific)
Free Radical Damage (Scientific)
Glaucoma (Scientific)
Heavy Metal Poisoning (Scientific)
Hypertension (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Liver Detoxification (Scientific)
Memory and Brain Function (Scientific)
Metabolic Syndrome (Scientific)
Migraine (Scientific)
Multiple Sclerosis (Scientific)
Nerve Damage (Scientific)
Neuralgia and Neuritis (Scientific)
Numbness (Scientific)
Parkinson's Disease (Scientific)
Peripheral Neuropathy (Scientific)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (Scientific)
Strokes (Scientific)
Triglycerides (high) (Scientific)
Wounds and Sores (Scientific)
alpha lipoic acid is used to support these body systems
Arteries (Scientific)
Blood (Scientific)
Brain (Scientific)
Circulatory System (Scientific)
Heart (Scientific)
Hepatic System (Scientific)
Liver (Scientific)
Mitochondria (Scientific)
Nerves (Scientific)
Skin (Scientific)
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