The Multiple Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid
If you haven’t heard about the benefits of Alpha lipoic Acid (ALA) by now, you are missing out one of the most important ingredients for overall wellness. The ‘Alpha lipoic miracle’ is not only evident as an overall antioxidant where it is fighting the oxidation of free radicals and slow down aging, inflammation and heart disease. Most notably, multiple clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of ALA for diabetic neuropathy, and relieving common symptoms like leg and arm numbness, eye related disorders, as well as pain and swelling.
ALA occurs naturally in our body as a thiotic acid. Esmond Snell discovered ALA in 1937 though Lester Reed isolated it in 1951. It was in 1959 that it had the first clinical usage that it was employed to treat an acute poisoning case which was a result of obtaining mushrooms. Then ALA clinicians reported its vitality in neuropathy.
ALA is recorded as one of the most potent antioxidants and serves as a vital enzyme functioning agent. According to Scientific literature, it’s a metal chelator, a potent antioxidant, as well as an antioxidant enzyme elevator. ALA is essential in conditions such as hypertension, cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes as well as Alzheimer’s disease. ALA is important in neuropathy via the exertion of antioxidant action, protecting the health of the nerve as well as relieving pain. ALA has delivered desirable results when it comes to treating neuropathy.
Difference between ALA and R-ALA
It is essential to note the difference between ALA AND R-ALA. Alpha lipoic acid is made up of two enantiomers, the R(natural) and S (artificial) forms, in a 50/50 percent ratio. It is referred to as a “racemic mixture.” Initially, it was difficult to produce the R-ALA, based on its unstable nature and its bioavailability. In the market, you will find Alpha lipoic acid in the form of this racemic combination. It is costly to manufacture the R- ALA, but this is what exists in nature. It is found in animals and plants, and it is the form of alpha lipoic acid the bears all the benefits associated with ALA. It is a critical co-factor that is involved in metabolic activities in the mitochondria. The S enantiomer is of little value to our bodies. It is incorporated into ALA since it is cheap to manufacture. Today the pure form of R- ALA is available, though it is nearly ten times more expensive that the normal ALA. If you don’t mind about the cost, go for the pure form of R-ALA.
Peripheral Neuropathy ALA Supplements
Before you consume health supplements, make sure you always go for consultations with any health practitioner. This is because they will advise you as to which supplements are crucial for you. However, there are R-ALA and ALA supplements that could be of benefit to you, and here they are.
- ALA racemic combination that (contains the S and R form) has achieved success in studies related to clinics to kill neuropathy symptoms.
- A standalone of R-ALA has proven to be highly potent than its counterpart S-ALA. The effects it delivers is equivalent to conventional or racemic ALA at lower doses.
- S- Alpha Lipoic Acid is less bioavailable than R-alpha Lipoic acid although the latter is unstable.
- When the racemic mixture has S-Alpha Lipoic Acid in it then the R-enantiomer stability is enhanced.
- R-Alpha Lipoic Acid that is stabilized is made in form cyclodextrin complex or sodium salt.
- Racemic mixtures are cheaper than R-ALA supplements that have been stabilized.
Based on the available current literature, it is possible to go for either stabilized R-Alpha Lipoic Acid or conventional Alpha Lipoic Acid for treatment of neuropathy dependent on what you require.
Alpha Lipoic Acid supplements (Racemic mixture)
They have ALA -S and R form. You must commence with minute doses as you gradually increase that is six hundred grams per day.
Stabilized R-ALA supplements
An R-ALA stabilized form that is currently available in markets now is known as Bio-Enhanced® R-Lipoic Acid. Geronova Research, Inc developed it. It is an Alpha Lipoic Acid sodium salt. You must follow the dosage of the manufacturer, but you can take three hundred milligrams a day.
Alpha Lipoic Acid to treat Diabetic Neuropathy
This kind of neuropathy is generally caused by diabetes part 2 however it could also be a result of cancer treatment consequences. Actually, it is not that clear as to how alpha-Lipoic acid functions in this case but it has shown positive and desirable effects on levels of tingling, prickling as well as the pain persons with neuropathy experience in feet and legs. There are many suggestions which benefit retina thus preventing it against damage which is very common with diabetic people.
Research is so promising that diabetic neuropathy has so much hope which is enlightening their souls with happiness. Neuropathy in every form is debilitating incredibly. The thing which is very crucial here to comprehend is that people don’t commence obtaining ALA with expectations to heal instantly. Instead, they must consult their practitioners about the acid’s importance and if whether they have recommendations of taking it.
ALA for skin aging, glaucoma, Dementia as well as Other Conditions
As an interesting fact is that there is a research piece which had suggestions that people who supplement with ALA or obtain in extremely high levels via their diet may get assistance with dementia symptoms. In short, when you interpolate high ALA levels in your diet, you are doing away with dementia symptoms. Besides, the research suggested that when you use ALA as a topical cream, it may revive the skin that had been damaged by aging results.
This acid has gained a lot of momentum and favor in the eyes of researchers and medical practitioners because of its potential curative effects in kidney disease, glaucoma, peripheral arterial conditions as well as Amanita mushroom poisoning. However, more studies are done, and no conclusions can be drawn yet.
ALA Dosages for Nerve Pains
Although ALA is important in the treatment of nerve damages, none of those researches have been conclusive yet. Thus there are no established dosages for people to be assisted by it. Nonetheless based entirely on studies that are complete it is suggested that people must take between 600-100mg every day to treat type 2 diabetes and neuropathy. According to research again ALA possesses analgesic activity with the power to lower neuropathic pain via diminishing oxidative stress as well as enhancing nerve function.
In regards to one of the studies, researchers concluded that when a person who has diabetic neuropathy takes 600mg every day for 3 weeks, he or she will see positive results. ALA can intravenously test subjects, however, do not do this at home.
Alpha Lipoic Acid in Diet
Several foods have alpha Lipoic acid in them, but they have them in low quantity. These food kinds are like spinach, tomatoes, beans, rice bran, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, beets, carrots, broccoli, and yams. In addition, red meat also contains alpha-Lipoic acid in very high quantity. Speaking of red meat it is specifically organ meat which is never considered healthy at all, but generally, when you eat a healthy meal, it’s very crucial to treat neuropathy.
It is beneficial in cancer chemotherapy that is neuropathy induced
Chemotherapy which is neuropathy induced is considered as amongst the worst conventional cancer therapeutics adverse effects. Nevertheless according to other studies done when you combine antioxidants like CoQ10 or ALA with sodium glutamate it aids in exerting neuroprotective actions against the condition of cisplatin which is neuropathy induced.
Likewise, ALA’s neuroprotective and antioxidant activity assists in protection if neuropathy was caused through such as ifosfamide and vincristine.