Alpha lipoic acid, also known as lipoic acid and thiotic acid, is a fatty acid that is naturally present in every single cell of our body. The acid is needed by our body to produce energy to perform its normal bodily functions. Alpha lipoic acid helps to convert glucose present in our blood into energy.
The acid is an antioxidant and hence, can eliminate free radicals from the body. What makes alpha lipoic acid different from other antioxidants, such as Vitamin E and Vitamin C, is its ability to dissolve in water and as well as fat. As a result, it can work in any part of the body and in any type of cell – destroying free radicals. There is also ample scientific evidence to show that alpha lipoic acid can recycle and regenerate other antioxidants, like glutathione, Vitamin E and Vitamin C, thereby making them available for the body even when these antioxidants have been used up or have become inactive.
There are many health benefits associated with alpha lipoic acid. Here is a list of uses of alpha lipoic acid aids our lives.
We can get peripheral neuropathy due to an injury, or nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, alcoholism, thyroid disease, kidney failure, Lyme disease, shingles or chemotherapy. This condition causes pain, numbness, weakness, tingling sensation, burning and itching. It is believed that alpha lipoic acid can enter all parts of the nerve cell and work to bring down the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and also prevent this condition from occurring.
As alpha lipoic acid can cross the blood-brain barrier, it can protect the brain and nerves from free radical damage.
It is believed that free radicals are responsible for many signs and symptoms of aging as well as chronic illnesses that comes with advanced age. By destroying free radicals, alpha lipoic acid can protect our body from several age-related problems and conditions.
Alpha lipoic acid is believed to be an effective treatment for cataracts, glaucoma, burning mouth syndrome, stroke, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. However, no studies have been performed on how effective this antioxidant is for treating these conditions.
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Even though alpha lipoic acid is beneficial for the body, there are some side effects associated with it. These can include headaches, skin rash, tingling sensation and/or muscle cramps.
While there may be a few side effects of alpha lipoic acid, the benefits outweigh them. Also, the body makes its own alpha lipoic acid, but you can get this potent antioxidant from certain foods that contain small amounts of the acid. If you want to reap the benefits of this acid, look to include the following foods in your daily diet.
While there are supplements of alpha lipoic acid available in the form of capsules, you should try to stick to foods rich in the acid and available locally. This way the antioxidant properties of the acid will not get degraded.