| Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that prevents
free-radical damage. Although there have been hundreds of studies over 40 years revealing
how lipoic acid energizes metabolism, the new excitement about this vitamin-like substance
can be seen in the many recent studies focusing on how it improves the physique, combats
free radicals, protects our genetic material, slows aging, helps protect against heart
disease, cancer and many other diseases, according to Richard A. Passwater, Ph.D., In
Lipoic Acid: The Metabolic Antioxidant. "Both
insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetics will be excited to learn that lipoic
acid has been used for nearly 30 years in Europe to treat diabetic neuropathy, help
regulate blood sugar and prevent diabetic retinopathy and cardiopathy," Passwater
says. "Lipoic acid not only protects the nervous system, but also may be involved in
regenerating nerves. It is also being studied in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and
Alzheimer's disease."
Although we make some lipoic acid in our bodies, it is usually not
enough, so we rely on food - potatoes, red meat, and etc.- to supply what we need for
optimal health. Alpha-lipoic acid supplements are now available in health food stores to
insure a sufficient intake of the nutrient.
Passwater adds that lipoic acid's antioxidant function is of major
importance, since antioxidant nutrients help protect the body against the damage that can
cause heart disease, cancer, aging and about 80 other diseases. This damage is caused by
free radicals, those undesirable byproducts of metabolism.
Interaction with vitamins C & E
Another function of lipoic acid is that it both interacts with its antioxidant partner
vitamin E and vitamin C and also helps to conserve them. When the body is deficient in
lipoic acid, the other antioxidants do not properly network together.
"Lipoic acid has also been used for decades to protect the liver and to detoxify
the body of heavy metal pollutants, such as excessive iron and copper and toxic metals
such as cadmium, lead and mercury," Passwater continues. One of the most exciting
recent developments is that lipoic acid appears to help slow the progression of
HIV-infection to clinical AIDS."
It appears that alpha-lipoic acid, alone or together with vitamin E, is an effective
treatment for radiation exposure, lessening indices of oxidative damage and normalizing
organ function, according to Lester Packer, Ph.D., et al. in Free Radical Biology and
Medicine 1995. This therapy has been effective in treating children living in areas
affected by the Chernobyl accident in the former Soviet Union.
Neither animal nor human studies, so far, have shown serious side effects with the use
of alpha-lipoic acid, Packer says. However, it is not recommended for pregnant women
without proper supervision. Since it may interfere with vitamin B-1 utilization, a
thiamine supplement may be warranted if lipoic acid is given to thiamine-deficient
individuals, such as alcoholics.
Protection from cataract formation
Writing in a previous issue of Free Radical Biology and Medicine, I. Maitra, et
al., reported that, when lab animals were treated with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), all
developed cataracts. But supplementation with lipoic acid protected 60 percent of the
BSO-treated animals from cataract formation.
Maitra and colleagues added that concentrations of glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin
E, which decrease after BSO administration, were restored to levels similar to the
controls. Lipoic acid also restored the protein complexes glutathione peroxidase and
catalase, as well as ascorbate free radical reductase activities, in the lens of the
animals.
Hans-J. Tritschler, Ph.D., a well-known researcher of lipoic acid, says that the
substance is a very important cofactor for glucose metabolism. And, since it is both fat-
and water-soluble, it is the missing link between vitamin E and vitamin C metabolism.
"Since there isn't an overwhelming amount of alpha-lipoic acid in our bodies, an
expert panel has recommended 50 mg/day as a preventive measure against diseases caused by
free-radical attacks,'' Tritschler says.
REFERENCES
- Maitra, I. et al. "Alpha-Lipoic Acid Prevents Buthionine
Sulfoximine-lnduced Cataract Formation in Newborn Rats," Free Radical Biology and
Medicine 18:823-829, 1995.
- Packer, Lester, Ph.D., et al. "Alpha-Lipoic Acid As A Biological
Antioxidant," Free Radical Biology and Medicine 19:227-25O, 1995.
- Passwater Richard A., Ph.D. Lipoic Acid: The Metabolic Antioxidant. New
Canaan, Conn. Keats Publishing, Inc., 1995 pp. 7-8.
- Tritschler, Hans-J., Ph.D. Personal interview, Oct.. 16, 1995
- Better Nutrition January 1996
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