Orthomolecular - 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.
  organosulphur = an organic (carbon) compound that contains sulphur

R form is more potent but less stable.
S for is more stable but not well utilised therapeutically.
Combined is best = Racemic mixture

Question 2

Food Sources

Answer 2

Food sources:
* 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

Energy Production

Answer 3

Functions:
* 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.
Therapeutic Uses:
* Fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, mitochondrial support, sperm health.

Question 4

Antioxidant

Answer 4

Functions:
* 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.
Therapeutic uses:
* Infertility (600 mg daily)
* Diabetes, diabetic neuropathy
* Alzheimer’s—slows the cognitive decline (600 mg daily for one+ year).
* Multiple sclerosis.
* Healthy ageing.
exogenous= originating externally from the body

Question 5

Insulin-sensitising

Answer 5

Functions:
* ALA supplementation improves insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c which are all markers of diabetes severity.
Therapeutic Uses:
* Diabetes mellitus: 300–1200 mg per day.
HbA1c =blood marker of glucose levels in the last 3 months

Exercise: Pick another health condition that is linked to insulin resistance. Research if this condition shows improvement with supplementation of ALA.
* PCOS (insulin resistance): ALA has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic factors but NOT hormones

Question 6

Metal-chelating

Answer 6

Functions:
* ALA can chelate iron, mercury, copper, lead and zinc.
Therapeutic Uses:
* Infertility.
* Alzheimer’s.
* Peripheral neuropathy.

Question 7

Peripheral neuropathy

Answer 7

Therapeutic Uses:
* 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 8

Weight loss

Answer 8

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 9

Supplementation:

Answer 9

Supplements should be taken on an empty stomach to optimise bioavailability, i.e. one hour before, or two hours after food.
* Rare adverse effects:
o Allergic reactions affecting the skin (rashes, hives) and GI symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhoea).
* Interactions:
o 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.
o Increased risk of hypoglycaemia in medicated diabetic patients due to additive effect. Monitor blood glucose closely.