Alpha-lipoic Acid powder (1077-28-7)

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) powder is an antioxidant. It is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It dissolves in both water and fat in the body. ALA is a potent antioxidant. This function may protect nerve tissue from damage. Conditions such as diabetes may be helped by antioxidants such as ALA.  ALA is a coenzyme involved in cellular metabolism and the Krebs cycle, a series of chemical reactions used by mitochondria to release energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into carbon dioxide, and chemical energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

ALA is commonly found in vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, with smaller amounts found in potatoes, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, peas, and tomatoes. ALA is also found in meats, particularly organ meatssuch as the heart, liver, and kidneys.

The main use for ALA is to treat diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy causes sensory changes. These include stinging, burning, pain, and numbness in areas of the skin. Several small studies have also shown that ALA can help to increase insulin sensitivity. It can lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. More research is needed to confirm this.

Alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid (ALA) powder was first discovered in 1937, when Snell discovered that a type of bacteria relied on potato juice to reproduce. This led to alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid being known as the potato growth factor for some time after its discovery. However, it was not isolated until 1951 by Reed. The first clinical use of ALA was recorded in Germany in 1959 for the treatment of poisoning from amanita phalloides, commonly known as thedeath cap mushroom.

Alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid (ALA) is made naturally in the body and may protect against cell damage in a variety of conditions. Food sources rich in alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid include spinach, broccoli, and yeast. ALA, known as the “universal oxidant,” has been used for decades in Europe to treat nerve conditions, including nerve damage resulting from poorly controlled diabetes.

There is strong evidence that ALA may help treat type 2 diabetes and neuropathy. According to a survey of 685 herbalists, ALA was one of the10 most frequently recommended dietary supplements due to its efficacy in reducing high blood sugar levels.ALA appears to be generally well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects.

Alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid seems to help prevent certain kinds of cell damage in the body, and also restores vitamin levels such as vitamin E and vitamin C. There is also evidence that alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid can improve the function and conduction of neurons in diabetes.

Alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid is used in the body to break down carbohydrates and to make energy for the other organs in the body.

Alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid seems to work as an antioxidant, which means that it might provide protection to the brain under conditions of damage or injury. The antioxidant effects might also be helpful in certain liver diseases.

• Aging skin.Early research suggests that applying cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid might reduce fine lines and skin roughness caused by sun damage. Also, taking a specific product containing alpha-lipoic acid and other ingredients seems to improve elasticity and reduce wrinkles and roughness of aging skin.
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Research suggests that taking a product containing alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and selenium up to 2 months before and 1 month after surgery seems to decrease complications following CABG surgery.
• Taking alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid by mouth or intravenously seems to improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, there is some inconsistent evidence that shows it does not affect blood sugar. Reasons for the inconsistencies may relate to the lengthof time that the patient has been diagnosed with diabetes, the use of antidiabetes drugs, or the purity of the alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid treatment alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid does not appear to improve blood sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes.
• Diabetic nerve pain. Taking 600-1800 mg of alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid by mouth or by IV seems to improve symptoms such as burning, pain, and numbness in the legs and arms of people with diabetes. It may take 3 to 5 weeks of treatment for symptoms to improve. Lower dosesof alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid don’t seem to work.
• Weight loss. Research suggests that taking alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid for 8-48 weeks can slightly reduce body weight in people who are overweight.

Alpha-lipoic Acid/Thioctic acid is an antioxidant that’s in many foods, andit’s made naturally in our bodies. For many years, high doses of alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid supplements have been used in parts of Europe forcertain types of nerve damage. Studies suggest that they might also helpwith type 2 diabetes.

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