Unlike other antioxidants which are either hydrophilic (water soluble) or Lipophylic (fat soluble), ALA is both water and fat soluble, enabling it to act both inside our cells and outside our cells.  Because of this universal solubility, ALA is able to neutralize both hydroxyl and singlet-oxygen free radicals, two of the most dangerous types, wherever they are found.  ALA works to prevent free radical damage regardless of whether it is in the brain fluids, stored in fat, the heart, pancreas, kidney, liver, bone, or cartilage. 

ALA’s protective effects extend to virtually every cell in every organ and tissue.  The addition of Bioperine, a patented extract of pepper, which has been shown to dramatically enhance absorption in the body, to Alpha Lipoic Acid, insures enhanced uptake and bioavailability.  These characteristics enable ALA to easily cross the blood brain barrier and increase brain energy.  ALA has been shown in studies to improve long-term memory in laboratory animals, probably by preventing free radical damage to cell membranes.  Additional studies on ALA show it to have a neuro-protective role against various toxic chemicals.  Since the 1940’s nearly 40,000 new chemicals have been developed in the U.S., making Alpha Lipoic Acid more important than ever.

ALA – DHLA: TWO ANTIOXIDANTS IN ONE

Alpha Lipoic Acid supplementation actually gives you two antioxidants in one.  As Alpha Lipoic Acid does its work, it is reduced to Dihydrolipoic Acid (DHLA), another important antioxidant that can deactivate peroxyl and other types of free radicals.  When DHLA is oxidized (gives up an electron to deactivate free radicals) it reverts back to Alpha Lipoic Acid.  This molecular change goes back and forth automatically in the body accomplishing many important and beneficial functions.  

DHLA REGENERATES OTHER ANTIOXIDANTS

In order to deactivate free radicals, antioxidants like Vitamin C & Vitamin E, must give up an electron and therefore their effective life is limited.  DHLA is able to restore the missing electron and extend the life of these other important antioxidants.  DHLA replenishes the antioxidant properties of Vitamin C and recycles Vitamin E in the body so that these antioxidants remain active longer.

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ALPHA LIPOIC ACID ON THE LIVER

Burt Berkson, MD, Ph.D. believes ALA to be an excellent therapeutic agent for many types of liver disorders.  In his latest book he describes how administering intravenous ALA saved the lives of four patients who had severe liver damage.  Four weeks after the intravenous ALA therapy, the four patient’s liver function tests were “normal”.  Additional studies indicate ALA may have a beneficial effect on patients with acute and chronic alcohol toxicity.  ALA is also an effective detoxifying agent for mercury, arsenic, copper, excess iron, cadmium, excess calcium (a primary cause of premature aging), and lead.

EFFECTS OF ALA ON DIABETES & INSULIN RESISTANCE

Alpha Lipoic Acid functions as a co-enzyme in sugar metabolism.  In a study of adult diabetic patients, Alpha Lipoic Acid increased cellular uptake and burning of glucose by approximately 50%.  This study showed that Alpha Lipoic Acid could be extremely beneficial to diabetics and those who are borderline diabetic (insulin resistant).  In other studies ALA significantly reduced symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pain, burning and numbness) in the feet and improved cardiac autonomic dysfunction in non-insulin dependent diabetics.  Alpha Lipoic Acid increases insulin sensitivity and optimizes the use of glucose for energy and if glucose can be effectively used as cellular fuel, it will not be stored as fat.

ALPHA LIPOIC ACID AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Because of its antioxidant capabilities and its ability to boost glutathione production and regenerate other antioxidants, ALA plays an important role in cardiovascular health.  Both ALA and DHLA are extremely effective in deactivating peroxynitrite, a particularly dangerous type of free radical that contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, lung disease, neurological disorders and inflammatory diseases.

ALPHA LIPOIC ACID AND IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTION

In a pilot study, supplementation with 150mg of ALA 3 times per day was shown to increase plasma ascorbate, glutathione and T-helper cells and to optimize the ratio of T-helper cells to T-suppressor cells.  Other studies have demonstrated the ALA helps to inhibit HIV replication by decreasing the activity of reverse transcriptase and to delay apoptosis (programmed cell death) of Thymus cells – the immune system’s number one line of defense.