The many
benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) have
recently been revisited. Scientists first discovered the
importance of this substance in the 1950s,
and recognized it as an antioxidant in
1988, but only recently has it made
its way into health food stores
in the United States. Very potent and
versatile, ALA is a special antioxidant. It
is one of the most powerful antiaging,
antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory available and is known
as the “universal” antioxidant because it is
both fat and water soluble.
Vegetarians, dieters,
and athletes often lack sufficient amounts of
this important nutrient in their diet and
just about everyone can use the protection
it may provide to fight environmental stresses.
It works in both the fatty cell
plasma membrane and the aqueous interior of
the cell to protect the body against
free radicals. It is, in fact, 100
times stronger than Vitamin E and Vitamin
C combined, both of which are known
for their excellent antioxidant qualities. ALA protects
DNA, the mitochondria (the energy producing portion
of the cell) and reduces cellular inflammation.
Dr. Perricone, noted dermatologist, highly recommends ALA
in his Wrinkle-Free program. He states, “The
importance of alpha lipoic acid—the metabolic antioxidant—is
hard to overstate. As you know the
higher the energy level of the cell,
the more youthful you remain.”
ALA has
been found to act as a powerful
anti-inflammatory agent, accelerate the removal of glucose
from the bloodstream, improve insulin function and
decrease insulin resistance and has been shown
to inhibit replication of HIV in a
test tube.
