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Why Lipoic
Acid Is Much More Than Just Another Anti-Oxidant
Lipoic acid, also known
as alpha-lipoic acid or thioctic acid, is a vitamin like compound produced
naturally by the body in very limited quantities, but which may also be
obtained from various dietary sources.
The lipoic acid produced
in the body is closely bound to certain proteins and is essential to work in
harmony with the B complex vitamins for the release of energy from food. No symptoms have ever been attributed
to a deficiency of this type of lipoic acid, suggesting that the body is always
able to manufacture a sufficient supply for this purpose. Research has focussed, however, on the
possible benefits of high dose supplementation with what is known as “free
lipoic acid”, which does not bind with proteins in the body.
Lipoic acid functions as an anti-oxidant, assisting in the destruction of
the free radicals which may damage cell DNA and membranes. However, lipoic acid is found in tiny
quantities when compared with other anti-oxidants such as vitamins C and E, and
the enzyme, glutathione. Moreover,
any increase in lipoic acid activity obtained through supplementation is likely
to be short lived. The real
anti-oxidant importance of lipoic acid, however, lies in its capacity to
recharge and renew these other anti-oxidants, consequently enhancing their
potency.
Lipoic acid has also been shown to stimulate the production of glutathione
in the body, a particularly important consideration in the case of the elderly
who commonly have difficulty synthesising this enzyme and are consequently more
vulnerable to the free radical attack which may damage cells and ultimately
contribute to degenerative disease.
Research has suggested that high doses of lipoic acid may assist
individuals with type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes by improving glucose
regulation and reducing the resistance to insulin which is characteristic of
this form of the disease. Doses of
600 mg per day and more have been shown to enhance the action of insulin in
type 2 diabetic individuals by as much as 25% after four weeks. It is much less clear, however, whether
such courses of treatment will maintain similar benefits in the longer
term.
There are also indications that lipoic acid may be effective in the
alleviation of the pain and weakness commonly suffered by diabetic individuals
as a result of peripheral nerve damage, particularly in the lower legs and
feet. Close control of blood
glucose levels has been found to be the best means of preventing this diabetic
neuropathy, and although research suggests intravenous supplementation to be
the most effective, both oral and intravenous supplements of lipoic acid are
approved as treatments in Germany.
It has been suggested that lipoic acid’s role in improving circulation and
the general health of the vascular system may be responsible for its mitigation
of the effects of diabetic neuropathy, but orthodox opinion is that more long
term studies are required to establish this link. Supplementation in the case of diabetics should in any case
only be undertaken under medical supervision.
But the possible benefits of lipoic acid don’t end here. Lipoic acid is a valuable tonic for the
liver, assisting its regeneration and recovery from hepatitis and toxic
assaults such as drug, alcohol or fungal poisoning.
A number of animal experiments have also appeared to show that supplements
may restrict the activity of an enzyme associated with the progression of
multiple sclerosis. As always,
however, in the cautious world of orthodox medicine, it is argued that more
long-term studies are needed before any definitive statements are made.
Likewise, although there have been some encouraging indications that lipoic
acid may have a positive effect in slowing down memory loss, age-related
cognitive decline and dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, larger
long-term trials are needed before any definitive statements can be expected
from the scientific community.
As always with supplementation, however, it is a question of weighing large
potential benefits against the risks. As indicated above, lipoic acid is approved as a
medical treatment in Germany and is freely available as a food supplement in
the US and elsewhere. The few
adverse reactions to oral supplements which have been recorded have been
confined to relatively minor skin irritations and gastric upsets.
Moreover, good food sources are limited to the unpopular offal and dark
green leafy vegetables, and even the best of these will provide only a tiny
fraction of the bio-available lipoic acid that can be obtained from
supplements. Indeed, because of
the difficulty in absorbing lipoic acid in the presence of food, this is one of
the very few cases where it’s recommended that supplements should be taken on
an empty stomach
It needs to be stressed again, however, that because of its potential effects
on blood sugar regulation diabetics should not embark on a course of
supplements without first seeking medical advice.
Steve Smith
October
2007
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