Alpha-Lipoic Acid
How does it work?
Alpha-Lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant which plays an essential role in protecting cell membranes by interacting with vitamin C and glutathione (the most potent antioxidant), which may enable vitamin E recycling.1
Alpha-Lipoic acid is a fatty acid that can cross the blood-brain barrier and is therefore considered for treating brain and neuronal tissue pathologies where free radical damage has occurred.2
What results can be expected?
Alpha-lipoic acid can protect brain and nerve tissue from free radical damage, therefore is considered in age-related health conditions, diabetes and diabetic neuropathy, cataract formation, HIV activation, neurodegeneration, radiation injury and other causes of acute or chronic damage to brain and neural tissue.3
1Packer, L. (1997). Neuroprotection by the Metabolic Antioxidant Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 22(1-2), 359–78. Retrieved Jan 2014, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891584996002699
2Packer, L. (1995). Alpha-lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 19(2), 227-50. Retrieved Jan 2014, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/089158499500017R
3Packer, L. (1997). Neuroprotection by the Metabolic Antioxidant α-Lipoic Acid. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 22(1-2), 359–78. Retrieved Jan 2014, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891584996002699