Alpha Lipoic Acid

Question 1

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Answer 1

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an organosulphur compound that is synthesised by plants and animals, including humans. ALA is a naturally occurring, short chain fatty acid.
* ALA is also known as ‘α lipoic acid ’ or ‘lipoic acid’ (LA)
* There are two forms of ALA: R-form (natural) and S-form (synthetic). The R-ALA variant is nearly 10 x more potent.
* It is thought that humans generally
synthesise enough to meet basic needs.
* However, additional ALA in the form of supplementation has clear therapeutic benefits in certain health conditions .

Question 2

ALA: Food Sources

Answer 2

• Found in a wide variety of foods.
• Plant sources: Brassicas (e.g. broccoli, Brussel sprouts, spinach, potato, carrots, beets, tomatoes, peas, brewer’s yeast.
• Animal sources: Red meat (lamb, beef) and organ meats.

Question 3

ALA: Functions

Answer 3

Energy Production
Antioxidant
Insulin Sensitising
Metal-chelating
Peripheral Neuropathy
Weight loss

Question 4

ALA: Energy Production Functions

Answer 4

• ALA is one of the key coenzymes
  required to convert dietary carbohydrates into energy in
  mitochondria in the Krebs cycle.
• Fuels cells such as spermatozoa.

Question 5

ALA: Energy Production Therapeutic Uses

Answer 5

• Fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome,
  mitochondrial support, sperm health.

Question 6

ALA: Antioxidant Functions

Answer 6

• ALA is a potent fat soluble and water
  soluble antioxidant. Exogenous forms
  scavenge free radicals intra and extra cellularly. It is anti inflammatory.
• It can regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin E, C, glutathione and
  CoQ10. It also up regulates the
  expression of glutathione.
• Improves the motility of spermatozoa and provides antioxidant protection.

Question 7

ALA: Antioxidant Therapeutic Uses

Answer 7

• Infertility (600 mg daily)
• Diabetes, diabetic neuropathy
• Alzheimer’s disease slows the cognitive decline 600 mg daily for
  one+ year).
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Healthy ageing.

Question 8

ALA: Insulin-sensitising Functions

Answer 8

• ALA supplementation improves insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c which are all markers of diabetes severity.

Question 9

ALA: Insulin-sensitising Therapeutic Uses

Answer 9

Diabetes mellitus: 300-1200 mg per
day.

Question 10

ALA: Metal-chelating functions

Answer 10

ALA can chelate iron, mercury, copper, lead and zinc.

Question 11

ALA: Metal-chelating Therapeutic Uses

Answer 11

• Infertility.
• Alzheimer’s.
• Peripheral neuropathy.

Question 12

ALA: Peripheral Neuropathy

Answer 12

• ALA supplementation reduces oxidation of the myelin sheath
• ALA improves neuropathic sensory symptoms including pain, burning, numbness, prickling of the feet and legs
• Dosage : 600 mg per day.

Question 13

ALA: Weightloss

Answer 13

ALA is thought to promote weight loss via various mechanisms:
* Reducing the oxidative stress that promotes fat storage.
* Suppressing appetite and hence
food intake through its influence on the enzyme ‘AMPK’ (AMP activated protein kinase) in the hypothalamus (where appetite is regulated).
* Increasing energy expenditure and reducing fat synthesis.
* Dosage: 1800 mg daily.

Question 14

ALA: Supplementation

Answer 14

Supplements should be taken on an empty stomach to optimise bioavailability, i.e. one hour before, or two hours after food.

Question 15

ALA: Rare adverse effects

Answer 15

Allergic reactions affecting the skin
(rashes, hives) and GI symptoms (abdominal pain,

Question 16

ALA: Interactions

Answer 16

• Biotin and ALA may compete for transport across cell membranes due to similar chemical structures.
  Be mindful of biotin deficiency when using high doses of ALA.
• Increased risk of hypoglycaemia in medicated diabetic patients due to additive effect. Monitor blood glucose closely.