The universal anti-oxidant - retards aging process, protects brain, prevents age related memory loss/hearing loss/ eye sight, arteriosclerosis, cancer and stimulates the immune system. It is of great assistance to diabetics.

Description

Lipoic Acid is a sulfurous compound that is considered sufficiently "essential" to be worthy of classification as a Vitamin of the "B" group in modern orthomolecular circles - Lipoic Acid would have been classified as a Vitamin except for the fact that it can be synthesized within the human body.

Health Benefits of Lipoic Acid

Aging Process

Lipoic Acid retards some aspects of the Aging Process:
- Lipoic Acid inhibits damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) - the principal detrimental process implicit in the Mitochondrial DNA Theory of Aging.

Cardiovascular System

Lipoic Acid helps to prevent Atherosclerosis.
Lipoic Acid lowers Blood Pressure in Hypertension patients.
Lipoic Acid protects against the toxic effects of Ischemia (i.e. it protects against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury).
Lipoic Acid (when consumed prior to the occurrence of an Ischemic Stroke) minimizes the Brain damage incurred by people who experience an Ischemic Stroke (due to the Antioxidant effects of Lipoic Acid).

Cells

Lipoic Acid helps to prevent Free Radicals damage to Cell Membranes.
Lipoic Acid helps to preserve the Mitochondria of Cells.

Ears/Hearing

Lipoic Acid retards the further progression of Age-Related Hearing Loss (by retarding damage to mitochondrial DNA in the Ears’ Cochlea).
Lipoic Acid inhibits damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the Cochlea.
Lipoic Acid (25 mg per day or more) helps to reverse Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.

Excretory System

Lipoic Acid prevents the damage to the Kidneys (diabetic Nephropathy) that is a common side effect of Diabetes Mellitus.

Eyes/Vision

Lipoic Acid helps to prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) (due to the Antioxidant properties of Lipoic Acid; Lipoic Acid can penetrate Eye tissue and protect both the Lens and the Retina from degeneration).
Lipoic Acid reduces the risk of Cataracts in Diabetes Mellitus patients and in normal, healthy persons.
- Lipoic Acid inhibits the activation of Aldose Reductase (an enzyme that is implicated in Cataracts due to its ability to catalyze the production of Galacticol and Sorbitol from Galactose and Glucose).

Lipoic Acid alleviates Glaucoma.
Lipoic Acid protects the Lens of the Eye from degeneration.
Lipoic Acid (600 mg per day) improves (the chronic progressive external form of) Opththalmoplegia.
Lipoic Acid protects the Retina of the Eye from degeneration.

Immune System

Lipoic Acid (450 mg per day) improves the overall health of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients.
- Lipoic Acid increases the plasma Glutathione levels of AIDS patients.
- Lipoic Acid increases the plasma Vitamin C levels of AIDS patients.
- Lipoic Acid retards the replication of the HIV Virus (by inhibiting the HIV Viral Reverse Transcriptase enzyme that participates in the replication of HIV, and by inhibiting Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-Kappa B) that activates HIV replication).

Lipoic Acid may help to prevent Cancer (damage to the body’s Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is one of the underlying mechanisms for the initiation of Cancer)                                                                                                                                                                                                            Lipoic Acid inhibits the ability of Free Radicals to damage DNA                                                                                                                               Lipoic Acid stimulates the Immune System.                                                                                                                                                     Lipoic Acid reduces Inflammation (primarily by inhibiting Nuclear Factor Kappa-B)

Liver

Lipoic Acid (600 mg per day) is useful for the treatment of Hepatitis C (especially when it is combined with Selenium and Milk Thistle).
Lipoic Acid is used therapeutically to treat Liver ailments and it protects the Liver from the toxic effects of many Pharmaceutical Drugs and Toxins:
- Lipoic Acid is an effective therapy in the treatment of Liver damage caused by toxic Mushrooms, Alcohol (ethanol), Carbon Tetrachloride and toxic Minerals.

Metabolism

Lipoic Acid possesses Antioxidant properties (it functions as both a water-soluble and a fat-soluble Antioxidant).
- Lipoic Acid is a potent scavenger of Hydroxyl Free Radicals.

Lipoic Acid increases the body’s Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).
Lipoic Acid normalizes Blood Sugar levels.
Lipoic Acid (500 - 800 mg per day) increases Energy levels in some Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients.
Lipoic Acid inhibits the Cross-Linking of the body’s endogenous Proteins (including Cross-
Linking caused by Glucose).

Lipoic Acid prevents and alleviates many of the detrimental side effects that occur as a result of Diabetes Mellitus (both Type 1 and Type 2):
- Lipoic Acid helps to prevent the onset of Diabetes Mellitus Type 1.
- Lipoic Acid improves Glucose utilization and disposal in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 patients.
- Lipoic Acid reduces the incidence of Cataracts in Diabetes Mellitus patients (by inhibiting the Aldose Reductase enzyme that is implicated in Cataracts).
- Lipoic Acid prevents the damage to the Kidneys (diabetic Nephropathy) that is a common side effect of Diabetes Mellitus.
- Lipoic Acid prevents the (diabetic) Neuropathy that is a common side effect of Diabetes Mellitus.

Lipoic Acid increases Brain and Muscle Energy levels.
Lipoic Acid facilitates Muscle recovery from Exercise.
Lipoic Acid (300 - 600 mg per day) reduces Insulin Resistance (i.e. it increases Insulin sensitivity).
Lipoic Acid protects the Islets of Langerhans from Free Radicals damage.

Musculoskeletal System

Lipoic Acid (600 mg per day) improves the body's utilization of Glucose within the Muscles and increases the body’s production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) within the Muscles.

Nervous System

Lipoic Acid (600 mg per day) helps to prevent Altitude Sickness and reduces the symptoms of Altitude Sickness.
Lipoic Acid (600 mg per day) stabilizes Mental Function in Alzheimer’s Disease patients.
Lipoic Acid protects the Brain against the toxic effects of Ischemia and increases Brain Energy levels.
Lipoic Acid improves Memory (in elderly persons): peer-reviewed
- Lipoic Acid improves Spatial Memory (in elderly persons). peer-reviewed
- Lipoic Acid enhances Long-Term Memory (in elderly persons). peer-reviewed

Lipoic Acid inhibits the ability of Mercury to damage Neurons.

Skin

Lipoic Acid (cream/lotion applied topically) accelerates the healing of the Scarring caused by Acne.
Lipoic Acid (1% lotion applied topically for approximately two weeks) alleviates Enlarged Pores.
Lipoic Acid (cream/lotion applied topically) accelerates the healing of the Scarring caused by Acne.
Lipoic Acid (1% cream/lotion applied topically) improves the visual appearance of the Skin and helps to reverse the Aging Process in the Skin:
- Lipoic Acid (applied topically) reduces the appearance of "Eye puffiness" (which is actually Edema in the area around the Eyes).
- Lipoic Acid (1% cream/lotion applied topically) reduces fine lines and Wrinkles.

Lipoic Acid Enhances the Function of these Substances

Carbohydrates

Lipoic Acid acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of Carbohydrates.
Lipoic Acid improves the body's utilization of Glucose within the Muscles.
Lipoic Acid facilitates the conversion of Glycogen into Glucose.

Enzymes

Lipoic Acid protects Catalase from oxidation.
Lipoic Acid (applied topically) activates Activator Protein 1 in the Skin, which in turn stimulates the production of Matrix Metalloproteinases.
Lipoic Acid protects Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) from oxidation.

Hormones

Lipoic Acid improves the actions of Insulin (it mimics the function of Insulin).

Krebs Cycle Chemicals

Lipoic Acid increases the body’s production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) within Muscles.

Lipids

Lipoic Acid acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of Fatty Acids.

Nucleic Acids

Lipoic Acid inhibits damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).

Organic Acids

Lipoic Acid is essential for the decarboxylation of Pyruvic Acid and other Keto Acids.

Peptides

Lipoic Acid increases intracellular Glutathione levels by 30 - 70%:
- Lipoic Acid (1% cream/lotion applied topically) increases the Glutathione content of the Skin.

Pharmaceutical Drugs

Lipoic Acid is synergistic with and increases the effectiveness of Zidovudine.

Proteins

Lipoic Acid (applied topically) beneficially activates Activator Protein 1 (AP-1) in the Skin.
Lipoic Acid (applied topically)facilitates the removal of old, damaged Collagen in the Skin (via its ability to activate Activator Protein 1 which in turn stimulates the production of Matrix Metalloproteinases that "digest" old, damaged Collagen in the Extracellular Matrix). In addition, Lipoic Acid inhibits the inflammatory Cytokine-induced destruction of normal Skin Collagen.

Lipoic Acid acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of Proteins:
- Lipoic Acid inhibits the Cross-Linking (glycosylation) of some types of endogenous Proteins (including Albumin).

Quinones

Lipoic Acid regenerates Coenzyme Q10.

Vitamins

Lipoic Acid helps to recycle Vitamin C (it facilitates the conversion of Dehydroascorbic Acid to Ascorbic Acid):
- Lipoic Acid (1% cream/lotion applied topically) increases the Vitamin C content of the Skin.

Lipoic Acid prevents the symptoms of Vitamin E deficiency (although Lipoic Acid does not spare or regenerate Vitamin E it exerts a Vitamin E-like effect and counteracts the effects of Vitamin E deficiency):
- Lipoic Acid (1% cream/lotion applied topically) increases the Vitamin E content of the Skin.

Lipoic Acid Counteracts these Potentially Toxic Substances

Amino Acids

Lipoic Acid inhibits the excitotoxic effects of Glutamic Acid.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Lipoic Acid reduces the toxic effects of exposure to Radioactivity.

Enzymes

Lipoic Acid inhibits Aldose Reductase (an enzyme implicated in Cataracts and Diabetes Mellitus).
Lipoic Acid inhibits Viral Reverse Transcriptase.

Fungi (Toxic Mushrooms)

Lipoic Acid increases the survival rate of people who have consumed Amanita phalloides Mushrooms.

Minerals

Lipoic Acid helps to protect the body from Arsenic poisoning.
Lipoic Acid chelates (binds to and removes) accumulated Cadmium from the body and helps to prevent Cadmium from damaging the Liver.
Lipoic Acid chelates (binds to and removes) accumulated Mercury from the body.
- Lipoic Acid inhibits the ability of Mercury to damage Neurons.

Organic Acids

Lipoic Acid reduces the accumulation of Lactic Acid.

Proteins

Lipoic Acid inhibits the activation of NF-Kappa B (Nuclear Factor-Kappa B).

Vitamin Byproducts

Lipoic Acid regenerates Dehydroascorbic Acid back into Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C).

These Substances Enhance the Function of Lipoic Acid

Minerals

Sulfur is an essential component of Lipoic Acid.

Vitamins

Vitamin E enhances Lipoic Acid's Antioxidant properties.


These Factors Interfere with Lipoic Acid

Aging Process

The body’s Lipoic Acid content declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process.
Lipoic Acid Interferes with these Substances

Minerals

Lipoic Acid binds to (chelates) Iron and can as a result of this binding cause Iron deficiency.

Dietary Sources of Lipoic Acid
Meats: Liver
Vegetables: Potato
Yeasts:

Forms of Lipoic Acid

Alpha-Lipoic Acid is the usual form of supplemental Lipoic Acid.
Dihydrolipoic Acid (DHLA) is the "reduced" form of Lipoic Acid with equal or superior therapeutic benefits to Lipoic Acid. This form is not yet available commercially in supplemental form, however supplemental Alpha-Lipoic Acid readily converts to DHLA within the body.

Bioavailability

Lipoic Acid is both water-soluble and fat-soluble.
The half-life of orally-ingested Lipoic Acid is approximately 30 minutes.
Lipoic Acid is capable of penetrating the Skin when applied topically.


Dosage Recommendations

Antioxidant
The Antioxidant effects of Lipoic Acid occur at a dosage level of 25-50 mg per day.

Preventative Dosage
The most effective dosage of supplemental Lipoic Acid for healthy people for preventative purposes is in the range of 250-750 mg per day.

Specific Ailments
The therapeutic dosage of Lipoic Acid that has been found to increase Energy levels in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients is 500-800mg per day.
A dosage of 800mg of Lipoic Acid per day has been shown to protect the liver from the toxic effects of many toxins.
Clinical trials of Lipoic Acid on on Diabetes Mellitus patients have illustrated that higher doses (300-1,200 mg per day) alleviates several aspects of Diabetes Mellitus (including Diabetic Retinopathy).

Topical Products
Although most topical Lipoic Acid products are at a strength of 1% Lipoic Acid, it is claimed that the optimal concentration should be 3% to 10%. Dermatologists commonly use 5%.

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