ALA

ALA Protocol

If I could only take ONE supplement it would probably be ALA

“Alpha Lipoic Acid is the standard of care therapy for neuropathy in Europe. In fact, in Germany, it's malpractice NOT to prescribe Alpha Lipoic Acid for a patient with neuropathy.” Emergency Room Physician

“Alpha-lipoic acid is an essential cofactor in the production of energy and acts as a potent antioxidant. Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to cause cell death in some tumor cell lines ⁽¹⁵⁾. In human studies, alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus ⁽⁷⁾. The roles of alpha-lipoic acid in reversing neuropathies ⁽⁹⁾ ⁽¹¹⁾ and liver disease ⁽¹⁰⁾ have been studied. A meta-analysis of clinical trials of alpha-lipoic acid in diabetic patients showed a significant reduction in neuropathic symptoms ⁽¹³⁾. Topical application of creams containing alpha-lipoic acid may help prevent photoageing of facial skin ⁽¹⁴⁾.” Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

“There is now widespread appreciation that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which monocytes interact with activated endothelium. Our data provide new evidence that alpha-lipoic acid, due to its metal chelating and, possibly, antioxidant functions, inhibits endothelial activation both in cultured human cells and in mice, thus potentially delaying atherosclerosis and CVD. Elucidating the precise mechanisms by which alpha-lipoic acid disrupts endothelial adhesion molecule expression will be important in identifying other agents that may be specific and effective in inhibiting the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases.” Weijian Zhang, MD PhD

“Because alpha-lipoic acid also is a good metal chelator, we hypothesized that metals may be involved in the production of adhesion molecules. To test this hypothesis, we added compounds to the cell culture that specifically chelate iron or copper. Our results showed that treatment with metal chelators also inhibits the production of adhesion molecules and monocyte adherence to cultured endothelial cells, thus supporting our hypothesis that the metal-chelating activity of alpha-lipoic acid may be responsible for its salubrious effects on endothelial cell function.” Weijian Zhang, MD PhD, Note we do know oxides of both iron and copper contribute to endothelial oxidation

“Although LA is a potent antioxidant in the test tube, LA supplementation may affect health by stimulating glutathione synthesis, enhancing insulin signaling and modulating the activity of other cell signaling molecules and transcription factors.” LPI ALA Biological Activity

“DHLA is a potent reducing agent with the capacity to reduce the oxidized forms of several important antioxidants, including vitamin C and glutathione (20). DHLA may also reduce the oxidized form of alpha-tocopherol (the alpha-tocopheroxyl radical) directly or indirectly, by reducing the oxidized form of vitamin C (dehydroascorbate), which is able to reduce the alpha-tocopheroxyl radical (21). Coenzyme Q₁₀ is an important component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain that also has antioxidant activity. DHLA can also reduce oxidized forms of coenzyme Q₁₀ (22), which may also reduce the alpha-tocopheroxyl radical (23).” LPI ALA Biological Activity

“ALA treated diabetic rats saw their blood glucose levels drop 23% - 43%.” Hypertension

“ALA reduced the formation of glycosylated end products (AGEs).” Jain et al, Note ALA is one of the few ways to combat glycation

“These results suggest Acetyl-L-Carnitine and ALA given to old rats improves performance in memory tasks by lowering oxidative damage and improving mitochondrial function.” Liu et al

“ALA appears to have a positive effect for cadmium toxicity, providing a protective effect for cadmium induced cell dysfunction and membrane damage in liver cells.” Muller et al

“I recommend taking supplemental biotin when supplemental ALA exceeds 100 mg/day.” Doctor Lester Packer

“Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound that appears to be useful in treating pathologies associated with oxidative stress. For example, alpha-lipoic acid has been safely used for more than 30 years in Europe to prevent and treat complications associated with diabetes, such as protein glycation, abnormal glucose utilization, polyneuropathy, and cataracts. Alpha-lipoic acid can also bind to, or chelate, metals like iron and copper. Exogenously supplied lipoic acid is readily absorbed by cells and tissues and then rapidly reduced to its potent antioxidant form, dihydrolipoate. We found that alpha-lipoic acid significantly inhibits both the formation of adhesion molecules and the adherence of monocytes to endothelial cells in culture.” Weijian Zhang, MD PhD

“Many of the B vitamins assist in the maximizing of the Krebs’s cycle, but none is as efficient as ALA.” Challem et al

“ALA improved the detoxification capacity of cells by increasing glutathione levels and reducing lipid peroxidation.” Gurer et al

"Study shows alpha lipoic acid can lower triglycerides. Alpha-lipoic acid's mechanisms include inhibition of specific gene expression in the liver, lowering liver triglyceride secretion, and stimulating the clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. When the animals' livers were examined at the study's conclusion, those from rats treated with lipoic acid showed elevated glycogen levels, which suggests that more consumed carbohydrates were being stored as glycogen rather than becoming triglycerides. The extent of triglyceride reduction was really dramatic, we didn't expect it to be this profound. The potential is good that this could become another way to lower blood triglycerides and help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. It's pretty exciting" Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Note this is huge and just what you want

"ALA directly increases ATP production in the mitochondria. Studies in aging animals support the use of R-ALA to improve mitochondrial function, decrease oxidative damage and increase metabolic rate, all of which become impaired with age." Life Extension

"ALA has been comprehensively studied world wide for it's power to prevent or mitigate drug-induced kidney damage. ALA lowers protein loss in urine and improves kidney structure and function in diabetes laboratory animals by reducing oxidative stress." Life Extension, Note this also holds for liver damage

If I could only take ONE supplement it would probably be ALA

Your body produces Alpha Lipoic Acid, sometimes also referred to as Lipoic Acid, but production falls off as we age. This superb antioxidant and antimycotoxin (See Mycotoxin Protocol) recycles other antioxidants, may slow aging, repairs liver damage, chelates heavy metals and reduces your risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. ALA is regarded as a universal antioxidant.

ALA Benefits

Anti-Liver Disease
Anti-Diabetes
Anti-Atherosclerosis
Anti-Inflammation
Anti-CVD
Pro-Detoxification
Pro-Eye Health
Pro-Kidney
Pro-Krebs’s cycle
Pro-Endothelial
Pro-Liver
Modulates Blood glucose levels
Can Improve Memory
Can lower triglycerides
Can Reduce AGEs
Neutralizes Free Radicals
Recharges other Antioxidants, vitamins C, D and E, CoQ10 and glutathione
Chelates free metals
Chelates Heavy Metals
Increases Glutathione
Active in both and oxidative and reduced state
Promotes Endothelial Health
Promotes Insulin effectiveness
Promotes cell Signaling
Promotes positive DNA transcription
Essential cofactor in the production of energy
Enzyme Cofactor
Both water and fat soluble has access to your entire body
Beneficial in MANY Diseases

ALA a supplement Workhorse

ALA is soluble both in water and fat (See Fat Soluble Nutrients Protocol) so it operates both within and external to the cells as well as in the cell membrane. In addition ALA crosses the blood/brain barrier (See Blood Brain Protection Protocol) and thus has access to your brain (See Brain Protection Protocol) and central nervous system. ALA recycles co-enzyme (See Enzymes Protocol) Q-10, vitamins C and E and most importantly it recycles glutathione. ALA increases insulin sensitivity. Most antioxidants once they quench a free radical (See Free Radical Protocol) by donating an electron can do no more useful work UNTIL they get another electron. ALA in rare counter distinction DOES do useful work, perhaps it's most important work, in this reduced state. ALA chelates heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic, and it stabilizes NF kappa B transcription factor so that it helps to inactivate deleterious genes. It can also help people with diabetes by increasing the sensitivity of their cells to insulin, and it helps reverse diabetic neuropathies.

How and when to supplement ALA

If I could only take ONE supplement (See Supplements Protocol) it would probably be ALA. IMO everyone over 40 needs to take ALA. I take 100mg or more everyday. Since taking ALA with a meal decreases its bioavailability, it is generally recommended that ALA be taken on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after eating). Since ALA is both fat and water-soluble take a little fat with it to help with its absorption. 600 mg of ALA/day for four months has been found to significantly reduce oxidative stress in healthy people. I often take a course of 300 or more mg/day for a few weeks.

The Forms of ALA

Most ALA supplements consist of a fifty-fifty mix of the synthetic ALA isomer L-ALA with the natural R-ALA. The R-ALA is the most active in your body. You can buy the all-natural R-ALA but it’s more expensive.

The reduced form of ALA, R-DHLA has been used in recent studies suggesting that R-DHLA may help prevent mitochondrial decay, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, and other disorders associated with aging. ALA will prevent many problems but it appears only R-DHLA will repair them. ALA itself should produce R-DHLA as it is reduced.

If you have a serious degenerative condition find out about the R-DHLA form of ALA and/or the R-ALA form. I continue to use ALA. If you take supplemental ALA you should take supplemental biotin (See Biotin Protocol) at a different time as the two compete for the same absorption resources. Be sure to take a vitamin B complex (See Vitamin B Complex Protocol) supplement if you take biotin.

Get the book “The Alpha Lipoic Acid Breakthrough” by Burt Berkson to learn more about this wonderful tool for your good health.

Conclusion

If I could only take ONE supplement it would probably be ALA. I have been taking 100 – 500 mg/day of ALA for many years.

The Role of Lipoic Acid in Inflammation and Atherosclerosis