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 work and application. It is produced by the body in small quantities and is found in some foods. It is a powerful antioxidant that prevents and eliminates damage caused by exposure to 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 to the subfamily of fatty acids. The compound was originally considered a vitamin, but this belief changed when it turned out that the substance was synthesized in the human body.
Thioctic acid has a unique antioxidant potential. Unlike other antioxidants (for example, vitamin C or E), it is soluble in water, as well as in fats. This property, in turn, means that the effects of its action are visible almost throughout the body. The ability to absorb free radicals determines the high importance of ALA during metabolic processes, since the neutralization of these reactive molecules is a very good method of detoxification and helps maintain internal homeostasis. In addition, this compound is a cofactor of enzymes involved in the conversion of consumed 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 with food products from the outside. Using additional vitamin supplements with lipoic acid and reaching an excess of this compound in the body, you can activate its high antioxidant potential. Due to this, ALA is widely used for the prevention of many diseases, for example, neurological, as well as diseases resulting from malfunction of the circulatory system. The compound is also important for the proper functioning of the liver, as it counteracts obesity and is an effective means of preventing cancer.
Sources
Alpha Lipoic Acid (Vitamin N) can be delivered to the body with food. Its richest source is red meat (heart, kidneys, liver). It is estimated that the concentration of ALA in these products is on average 1 to 3 micrograms per 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 Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, which is a specific strain used to make beer, whereby lipoic acid (Vitamin N) can be found in this drink.
ALA and neurodegenerative diseases
Due to its antioxidant properties, ALA is an effective way to prevent the development of many serious neurological diseases. After research, it was proved that this substance protects the brain tissue from reactive molecules, such as products formed during the progressive glycation of proteins and from free radicals. As a result, this acid counteracts Alzheimer's disease, during the formation and course of which harmful proteins called amyloid beta accumulate in the brain structures. It further reduces 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 increase the effectiveness of the prevention of intellectual and cognitive disorders.
Patients suffering from Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease have dysfunctions of the mitochondria of nerve cells. The use of ALA effectively reduces the progression of diseases by reducing the level of oxidative stress in these cells.
ALA and circulatory system
Due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the action of regulating the lipid profile of the body, vitamin N (lipoic acid) is an effective tool, the use of which reduces the risk of circulatory system diseases. The effect of ALA lies primarily in protecting the endothelial layer lining the walls of blood vessels, as well as in relaxing these vessels. Thus, this substance regulates blood pressure, improves blood flow and prevents diseases such as a heart attack or stroke. Improving the blood supply to organs and each part of the body allows you to successfully use this acid to reduce the level of pain, for example, in the lower extremities after a long walk or intensive training.
In the field of regulation of the blood lipid profile, thioctic acid is of particular importance in the case of lowering cholesterol, in particular its harmful fraction of LDL, that is, low density lipoproteins. An additional intake of this compound leads to a decrease in the number of formed atherosclerotic plaques, prevents the narrowing of blood vessels.
It has also been proven that the use of thioctic acid can be beneficial for people suffering from various diseases or heart defects. The results obtained indicate that ALA counteracts the death of heart cells, which can occur, for example, under the influence of elevated blood sugar.
ALA and diabetes
The use of ALA in antidiabetic therapy has been shown to bring tangible benefits, especially in reducing the risk of inflammatory and oxidative changes that most often result from excess sugar in the body. In addition, taking supplements with this substance, you can quite effectively increase the body's sensitivity to insulin and glucose. Using ALA allows you to maintain a balance of carbohydrates in the blood. In turn, the protection of the endothelium lining the walls of blood vessels allows lipoic acid to counteract vascular diabetes and kidney disease.
Diabetics often develop another disease called diabetic neuropathy. It manifests itself with 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 ultimately lead to amputation. Based on tests, it was 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 to prevent diabetic neuropathy.
ALA and obesity
Studies show that ALA affects certain areas of the brain, thus limiting appetite. The compound counteracts obesity by speeding up metabolism and increasing energy expenditure, which allows you to burn calories more efficiently. 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 reducing the time of regeneration of forces, the body of active people can withstand more exercises or physical exertion.
Cancer prevention
ALA can be used in the prevention and treatment of cancer. In many independent clinical trials, it has been shown that this substance affects the arrest of the reproductive cycle of cancer cells and thereby slows down or stops the growth of the tumor. In addition, the compound can aggravate the process of apoptosis or programmed cell death, which is the body’s natural defense mechanism that removes cancer from it. It has also been proven that it protects genetic material from mutations that lead to carcinogenic changes. This substance can prevent the formation of metastases, since it reduces the activity of enzymes in which the tumor attacks the surrounding tissue. ALA, due to its antioxidant properties, can eliminate the side effects of chemotherapy.
ALA and the liver
Alpha lipoic acid increases cysteine levels 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 changes in the detoxification of the body that occur in the liver. The role of glutathione is to remove metabolic products formed by free radicals or toxins. Thus, it protects hepatocytes from oxidative damage and thereby prevents serious diseases. 75 people poisoned by toadstools participated in one of the studies. They were given alpha lipoic acid, and it was reported that 67 out of 75 people recovered.
Heavy metals harmful to health accumulate in the liver. Their elimination is usually difficult, and with excess they can lead to disruption of the functioning of this body and even death. It has been proven that ALA has the unique ability to chelate metals so that they can be effectively removed from the body.
Lipoic Acid - Vitamin Compatibility
ALA acts as an antioxidant, but does not replace vitamin C or E - the strongest antioxidants among vitamins. Vitamin N works with them, restoring their antioxidant properties. Lipoic acid and vitamin E and C in combination are more effective in the fight against free radicals.
ALA has an effect similar to B vitamins, therefore it works great with them, especially with thiamine (B 1 ).
ALA is often used in antidiabetic dietary supplements along with cinnamon. Their combination is useful for people with high blood sugar, as it helps to maintain normal glucose levels and reduce the dosage of medications for diabetes.
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: instructions for use of vitamin
For preventive purposes, you can use dietary supplements with an ALA course of 10 to 30 days. The best time to take them is 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 splitting into two equal parts. Since this compound is readily soluble in both water and fats, it should be taken immediately before or immediately after a meal to increase its bioavailability.
Contraindications and side effects
Lipoic acid is considered a safe substance, the intake of which does not imply the appearance of negative side effects. In rare cases, only allergic changes can occur on the skin, which usually disappear when you stop taking the drug.
Due to insufficient safety data on the use of ALA in pregnant and lactating women, the use in these cases is not recommended. Diabetic patients should consult a physician before taking ALA, as this compound, together with diabetic medications, can greatly reduce blood sugar.
Alcohol abuse leads to a decrease in the level of thiamine (vitamin B 1 ) in the body. Using alpha-lipoic acid deficient in this vitamin can lead to many serious health problems. In case of deficiency of B vitamins, 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 in the “Compile” of vitamins with lipoic acid helps maintain optimal endurance, mental and physical health.
This drug is one of the most cost-effective vitamin complexes in Russia. Packaging (60 tablets) costs about 200-250 rubles. in pharmacies. Reviews on vitamins "Complivit" with lipoic acid are very positive. According to consumers, after one course of taking the drug, the health, appearance of the skin, hair and nails significantly improves.