Lipoic acid (vitamin N) is a substance similar in nature to vitamins. Its interesting feature is its solubility in water and fats, which largely determines its operation and application. It is produced by the body in small amounts and is found in some foods. It is a powerful antioxidant that prevents and reverses damage caused by free radicals. Participates in the metabolism of consumed foods, helping to convert them into energy.
Origin
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), also known as thioctic acid, octolipene and vitamin N, is an eight-carbon organic compound belonging to the carboxylic acid family and the fatty acid subfamily. Initially, the compound was considered a vitamin, but this belief changed when it turned out that the substance is synthesized in the human body.
Thioctic acid has a unique antioxidant potential. Unlike other antioxidants (such as vitamin C or E), it is water soluble as well as fat soluble. This property, in turn, means that the effects of its action are visible almost throughout the body. The ability to scavenge free radicals determines the high importance of ALA in the course of metabolic processes, since the neutralization of these reactive molecules is a very good method of detoxification and helps to maintain internal homeostasis. In addition, this compound is a cofactor for enzymes involved in converting ingested food into energy. Its balanced activity provides an adequate level of vitality.
Alpha-lipoic acid (vitamin N) can be synthesized in the body, but only in limited quantities sufficient to satisfy only elementary metabolic processes. Therefore, it is necessary to provide it from the outside with food. By additionally supplementing vitamins with lipoic acid and reaching an excess of this compound in the body, it is possible to activate its high antioxidant potential. Due to this, ALA is widely used for the prevention of many diseases, such as neurological, as well as diseases resulting from improper functioning of the circulatory system. The compound is also important for the proper functioning of the liver, as it counteracts obesity and is an effective cancer prevention agent.
Sources
Alpha-lipoic acid (vitamin N) can be supplied to the body with food. Its richest source isred meat (heart, kidney, liver). It is estimated that the concentration of ALA in these products is on average 1 to 3 micrograms per 1 gram of dry matter. A good solution to increase its concentration in the body is also the inclusion of vegetables in the diet. It is best to choose green vegetables - spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, peas and tomatoes. ALA is also present in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is a specific strain used to make beer, as a result of which lipoic acid (vitamin N) can be found in this drink.
ALA and neurodegenerative diseases
Thanks to its antioxidant properties, ALA is an effective means of preventing the development of many serious neurological diseases. After research, it has been proven that this substance protects brain tissue from reactive molecules, such as products formed during progressive protein glycation, and from free radicals. As a result, this acid counteracts Alzheimer's disease, during the formation and course of which harmful proteins called beta-amyloid accumulate in brain structures. It further reduces the inflammation caused by their presence.
Lipoic acid (vitamin N) prevents cell death in areas of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease. During the course of the disease, ALA should be taken in combination with other nutrients, such as, for example, acetyl L-carnitine, phosphatidylserine, or docosahexaenoic acid, in order to increasethe effectiveness of the prevention of intellectual and cognitive disorders.
In patients suffering from Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, mitochondrial dysfunction of nerve cells appears. The use of ALA effectively reduces the progression of diseases by reducing the level of oxidative stress in these cells.
ALA and the cardiovascular system
With its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its action to regulate the body's lipid profile, vitamin N (lipoic acid) is an effective agent in reducing the risk of developing diseases of the circulatory system. The effect of ALA is primarily to protect the endothelial layer lining the walls of blood vessels, as well as to relax these vessels. Thus, this substance regulates blood pressure, improves blood flow and prevents diseases such as heart attack or stroke. By improving the blood supply to organs and every part of the body, this acid can be successfully used to reduce the level of pain, for example, in the lower extremities after a long walk or intense training.
In the field of blood lipid profile regulation, thioctic acid is of particular importance in the case of lowering cholesterol levels, in particular its harmful LDL fraction, that is, low density lipoproteins. Additional intake of this compound leads to a decrease in the number of atherosclerotic plaques formed, prevents narrowing of blood vessels.
The use of thioctic acid has also been shown to be beneficialfor people suffering from various diseases or heart defects. The results indicate that ALA counteracts the death of heart cells, which can occur, for example, under the influence of high blood sugar.
ALA and diabetes
The use of ALA in anti-diabetic therapy has been proven to provide measurable benefits, especially in reducing the risk of inflammatory and oxidative changes, which most often result from excess sugar in the body. In addition, by taking supplements with this substance, you can increase the body's sensitivity to insulin and glucose quite effectively. The use of ALA allows you to maintain the balance of carbohydrates in the blood. In turn, protecting the endothelium lining the walls of blood vessels allows lipoic acid to counteract vascular diabetes and kidney disease.
Diabetics often develop another condition called diabetic neuropathy. It is manifested by a strong feeling of pain and burning in the limbs, and at a later stage, when the pain subsides a little, damage to blood vessels and nerve cells occurs. After these changes, open wounds and infections can occur, which eventually lead to amputation. Based on the tests carried out, it has been shown that ALA, due to its strong antioxidant effect, reduces the risk of damage to nerve cell membranes and improves blood flow in patients diagnosed with diabetes. Therefore, it can be successfully used for preventiondiabetic neuropathy.
ALA and obesity
Research shows that ALA affects certain areas of the brain, thus limiting appetite. The compound counteracts obesity by speeding up metabolism and increasing energy expenditure, allowing for more efficient calorie burning. ALA reduces the amount of fat produced and stored in the liver. In addition, the substance increases the body's sensitivity to insulin and stimulates the absorption of glucose from the blood to normalize the overall carbohydrate profile.
According to reviews, vitamins with lipoic acid are in great demand among athletes. Due to the property of increasing ATP production and shortening the regeneration time, the body of active people can withstand more exercise or physical activity.
Cancer Prevention
ALA can be used in cancer prevention and therapy. In many independent clinical trials, this substance has been shown to stop the reproductive cycle of cancer cells and thereby slow down or stop tumor growth. In addition, the compound is able to exacerbate the process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which is the body's natural defense mechanism to remove cancer from it. It has also been shown to protect genetic material from mutations that lead to carcinogenic changes. This substance can prevent the formation of metastases, because it reduces the activity of enzymes in which the tumor attacks the surrounding tissues. ALAthanks to its antioxidant properties, it can eliminate the side effects of chemotherapy.
ALA and liver
Alpha-lipoic acid increases the level of cysteine in the body. The latter, in turn, is used in the synthesis of glutathione, which is one of the most powerful compounds with antioxidant activity, participating in most of the body's detoxification changes that occur in the liver. The role of glutathione is to remove metabolic products formed under the influence of free radicals or toxins. Thus, it protects hepatocytes from oxidative damage and thus prevents serious diseases. 75 people who were poisoned by toadstools participated in one of the studies. They were given alpha lipoic acid and 67 out of 75 were reported to have recovered.
Unhe althy heavy metals accumulate in the liver. Their excretion is usually difficult, and in excess they can lead to disruption of the functioning of this organ and even death. ALA has been shown to have the unique ability to chelate metals so that they can be effectively eliminated from the body.
Lipoic acid - compatibility with vitamins
ALA acts as an antioxidant but does not replace vitamin C or E, the strongest antioxidants among vitamins. Vitamin N works with them to restore their antioxidant properties. Lipoic acid and vitamin E and C in combination are more effective in fighting free radicals.
ALA has a similar action to the B vitamins, so it works great with them, especially withthiamine (B1).
ALA is often used in anti-diabetic supplements along with cinnamon. The combination is beneficial for people with high blood sugar levels, as it helps maintain normal glucose levels and reduce the dosage of diabetes medications.
The combination of silymarin, selenium and ALA is used in the treatment of viral hepatitis, as it helps to stop the progression of the disease to cirrhosis.
Lipoic acid: vitamin instructions
For preventive purposes, you can use dietary supplements with ALA course from 10 to 30 days. The best time to take them is in the morning or evening, for people involved in sports - immediately after training.
According to the instructions for vitamins with lipoic acid, the standard daily dose of ALA ranges from 300-600 mg. This amount is sometimes worth dividing into two equal parts. Because this compound is readily soluble in both water and fat, it should be taken just before or right after a meal to increase its bioavailability.
Contraindications and side effects
Lipoic acid is considered a safe substance, the use of which does not imply the appearance of negative side effects. In rare cases, only allergic skin changes may occur, which usually disappear when the drug is stopped.
Due to insufficient data on the safety of ALA in pregnant and lactating women, use in these cases is not recommended. Patients with diabetes should check with their doctor before taking ALA, as this compound, along with diabetic medications, can greatly lower blood sugar levels.
Alcohol abuse leads to a decrease in the level of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the body. Using alpha lipoic acid with a deficiency of this vitamin can lead to many serious he alth problems. In case of vitamin B deficiency, lipoic acid should be combined with the simultaneous intake of vitamin B complex.
Vitamins "Complivit"
This dietary supplement contains ingredients that positively affect the functioning of the body. The successful combination of vitamins with lipoic acid in Complivit helps maintain optimal endurance, mental and physical he alth of a person.
This drug is one of the most budgetary vitamin complexes of Russian production. A package (60 tablets) costs about 200-250 rubles. in pharmacies. Reviews of the Complivit vitamins with lipoic acid are very positive. According to consumers, after one course of taking the drug, well-being, the appearance of skin, hair and nails noticeably improves.
