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Alpha lipoic acid are you getting enough in your food?
Alpha lipoic acid is a relative new 'kid on the block' as far as supplements are concerned.
Scientist first discovered the importance of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) in the 1950s and recognised it as an antioxidant in 1988.
Basically your body needs ALA to produce energy and it plays a vital role in the energy-producing
structures in cells.
Your body makes enough ALA for these basic metabolic functions. This compound acts as an antioxidant
but only where there is an excess of it and it is in the 'free state' in the cells.
Guess what?
There is hardly any free alpha lipoic acid circulating in your body. Little chance of obtaining it in our
food also as they do not contain very much ALA.
The only way to get more is of course a supplement intake or injected directly.
Why is Alpha Lipoic Antioxidant so special?
Well as an antioxidant it is extremely versatile.
It helps to de-activate an unusually wide array of cell damaging free radicals in many bodily systems.
Alpha lipoic acid helps to protect your delicate genetic material DNA.
It also works closely with vitamin C and E and some other antioxidants making them much more effective.
Although research and studies have been building up it is still in its early stages and no-one knows what doses
should be used for what ailment.
Some studies are suggesting a dosage of 100 to 600 milligrams a day.
ALA is believed to be a preventative treatment for many age related diseases such as....
- Heart Disease
- Strokes
- Diabetes
- Parkinsons Disease
- Alzheimers
People with diabetes should note that in Germany it is already prescribed to treat long-term complications of diabetes such as nerve damage (caused possibly by free radical damage), and there is evidence that it can help decrease insulin resistance, helping control blood sugar.
Bottom line... Research is still in its infancy although it looks promising. However if ALA is as powerful as it seems beware that there may be a danger of too much of a good thing. It appears to be safe to take, long term effects of large doses are unknown.
If unsure always consult your GP first.
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