Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that the body makes naturally, and it is also found in food. The body uses it to break down carbohydrates and to make energy. Red meat, carrots, beets, spinach, broccoli and potatoes all contain it, and it is sold as a supplement too. Because it seems to work like an antioxidant, it might protect the brain. People most commonly use it for nerve pain in people with diabetes. It is also used for obesity, altitude sickness, aging skin, high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood, and many other purposes.

The substance occurs naturally in animal and plant tissues, and it stays active both in the watery compartments of cells and in the lipid membranes. It has multiple antioxidant mechanisms, including metal chelating, regenerating the body's own antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, and modulating several signaling pathways. Alpha-lipoic acid plays a significant role in managing peripheral neuropathy, particularly diabetic neuropathy. It passes easily into the brain, so it may help protect brain and nerve tissue. It also helps lower blood sugar levels. Its ability to kill free radicals may help people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, who have pain, burning, itching, tingling and numbness in the arms and legs from nerve damage. Alpha-lipoic acid has also been found to reduce the expression of GLUT4 (Glucose transporter type 4) in cells, which is responsible for glucose uptake, and so it reduces insulin sensitivity.