The Natural Health Center of Central New Jersey

I was introduced to Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) in the Spring of 2003 when I stumbled upon a class given by Cortext on the latest Mind/Body research of the Immune System. The Instructor was Sondra Barrett, PhD who had done extensive research on ALA and could not control her excitement on how successful all the findings on the supplement had been. She highly suggested that we all should start taking the supplement daily. In 2008 I took a class on Alzheimer’s, Memory & Dementia. The Instructor for this class was Dr. Nikita Katz, a leading doctor/researcher and just all around brilliant speaker on Alzheimer’s and he was also singing the praises of ALA in the prevention of these illnesses and others (well he wasn’t exactly singing, in fact both of the good Dr’s seemed a tad ticked that this information wasn’t a bit more mainstream at this point and why Dr’s where not recommending it to their patients, especially those with Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons and Diabetes). So what exactly is this wonder supplement?

ALA is naturally produced by the body and is a potent free radical scavenger that can also act as a chelating agent in the body. As if that isn’t enough it has another gift that makes it very special, it has the ability to boost or regenerate other antioxidants in the body in both water and fat. Most antioxidants can only do one or the other (Vit C-water, Vit E-fat). It also participates in restoring the metabolic activity of glutathione and coenzyme Q10.

Glutathione is normally produced by the body from dietary proteins and promotes the production of PG-1 prostaglandins which act as a detoxifying agent and strengthens the Immune System. It also, along with CoQ10 increases cell oxidation by decreasing free radical damage. It enhances eye health, protects against liver damaging agents, reduces inflammation, prevents premature aging and may even inhibit tumor growth. In one long term health study of a large population group in which the influence on pain relieving drugs for Alzheimer’s disease was examined results suggested that underlying causes of the disease may be a combination of uncontrolled inflammation and depleted glutathione (by the way, this was also the message Dr Katz was drilling into our heads for prevention, decrease inflammation, increase glutathione). So what does this have to do with ALA?

Glutathione production and storage in the body declines with age and can also be reduced by toxins or illness. Supplementing ALA can actually raise the levels in your body. In another study ALA was also proven to control blood sugar in diabetics and reduce the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and has so far never been shown to have adverse effects with other medications or supplements.

So are you ready to run out and get some this stuff!! It’s probably a good idea but buyer beware, as with any supplement its only good if it’s the real McCoy and ALA is not exception. According to consumerlabs.com an independent lab that tests different products for purity, the following brands of ALA have been approved, although prices may vary:

Doctor’s Best
GNC
Puritans Pride
Solgar
The Vitamin Shop
TwinLab

Dosages may vary due to your diet and state of health but most experts recommended at least 100 mgs/day, Dr Katz recommended 200-800 mgs/day. It’s best to check with your Dr. or healthcare professional before taking any new supplements and to find out what the proper dosage would be for you.

If you would like more info on Alpha Lipoic Acid please contact Rosina at rosinacmt@aol.com

References
The Modern Nutritional Diseases and How to Prevent Them, Ottoboni and Ottoboni, Vincente Books Inc., third printing 2004
The Immune System latest Mind/Body Research, Barrett, Cortext Continuing Education, Spring 2003
Alzheimer’s, Memory & Dementia, Katz, Institute for Natural Resources, 2008
www.consumerlabs.com , Alpha Lipoic Acid product review, Oct 2009