Alpha Lipoic Acid Benefits

There Are Many Alpha Lipoic Acid Benefits. How Can Taking This Supplement Improve Your Health?

First, what is alpha lipoic acid (ALA)? ALA is a sulfur containing antioxidant that is both fat and water soluble and as such can offer many health benefits. An antioxidant is valuable in reducing inflammation and preventing oxidative damage to the cells caused by free radicals. Because alpha lipoic acid contains sulfur it can provide additional benefits to those supplied by the common antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E. Sulfur is necessary to help grow the amino acid chains that produce the proteins that help to rebuild and repair our bodies. Sulfur is also available in certain foods including green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, in garlic and onions, and red meat, mostly in the organ meats.

Alpha lipoic acid benefits include improved memory, improved function of the circulatory system including heart, blood vessels and brain. Alpha lipoic acid also can help in the breaking down of carbohydrates to provide energy and may help with liver function. Studies still in the early stages are showing that another benefit of alpha lipoic acid may be in the improvement of leg pain associated with poor circulation of the leg. Studies also are finding that because alpha lipoic acid is fat soluble it may benefit those with diabetic nerve damage.

Our bodies do not store alpha lipoic acid and it has been determined that it is very difficult to get enough from the foods we eat, so you may want to consider taking it in supplement form to get full alpha lipoic acid benefits. For most people, alpha lipoic acid is completely safe, but as with all medications and supplements, if you are being treated for a chronic condition such as diabetes, heart disease, thyroid or if you drink excessively, you'll want to check with your health care provider. Even though there are many alpha lipoic acid benefits, it may interfere with certain medications. Alpha lipoic acid has so many benefits that it is something you certainly want to consider for your health care arsenal.