Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic (LA) acid is a naturally occurring compound that is useful in repairing damage associated with
oxidative stress. Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to prevent and treat complications of protein glycation which a
process is thought to contribute to the development of chronic vascular complications of diabetes, non-diabetic
nephropathy, vascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and aging. In diabetics it also prevents abnormal glucose
utilization, positively affects neuropathy, and prevents cataracts. LA can also remove or chelate, heavy metals like
iron and copper and along with it’s potent antioxidant effects is can delay the onset of atherosclerosis thus
reducing the risks of strokes , heart attacks , and peripheral vascular diseases. Animal studies suggest that LA
may be helpful in slowing age-related cognitive decline associated with age or other neurodegenerative disease.
Iron seems to accumulate in brain as animals’ age this slows the brain and cognition declines. Alpha lipoic
reverses this process by protecting the brain and by chelating the excess Iron. Also, alpha lipoic acid accentuates
the activity of the main enzyme that mediates the formation of glutathione. Glutathione itself is the body's main
chelator/detoxifier. In addition to chelating Iron both alpha lipoic Acid and Glutathione also chelate copper and
mercury.

When Mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model resembling multiple sclerosis
were fed alpha Lipoic acid there was an inhibition of the migration of inflammatory T cells into the central nervous
system and a slowing of disease progression. Doses of 1200-2400 mg/day of oral LA given for 14 days to a group
of patients with multiple sclerosis was safe and well tolerated and oral LA is also been approved for the treatment
of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(numbness and pain in feet and hands) and diabetic cardiovascular autonomic
neuropathy (condition affects heart rate).

Mitochondria which exist within every cell except the red blood cell are responsible for more than 90% of the
energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth).Over the years of suffering from the effects of
oxidative damage resulting from normal day to day cell metabolism as well as free radical damage from outside
sources (pollution, radiation, smoking, toxins ) the mitochondria begins to slow down. This is similar to rust in an
engine and as the cell loses energy injury, aging and cell death follow.In our opinion Mitochondria health is the
key to restoring health and slowing the aging process and many substances including LA help in protecting
mitochondria and enhancing their function.