By Dr. Linda J. Dobberstein, DC, Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition
Article Highlights:
Nerve Health and Cognitive Support: RALA improves nerve sensation, comfort, and cognitive function by protecting neurons from oxidative stress.
Antioxidant and Detoxification Properties: RALA acts as a powerful antioxidant, enhances antioxidant systems like glutathione, and supports detoxification processes.
Metabolic and Blood Sugar Support: RALA supports blood sugar metabolism by increasing glucose uptake in muscle tissues and protecting against advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
Lipoic Acid is a well-known nutrient for its protection and support of nerve health. It is a powerful antioxidant and nutrient with several other health benefits. Studied extensively since the 1950’s with numerous clinical trials, lipoic acid is an integral nutrient so much that it is described as the “universal antioxidant”. Read on to learn more about this unique, powerful nutrient used by all tissues in your body!
Lipoic Acid Forms and Foods
Lipoic acid is an organosulfur compound found in two forms. The common S-form is called alpha lipoic acid or thioctic acid. The natural form is called R-Alpha Lipoic Acid. This latter form has higher bioavailability and better physiological activity than the common (S-form) alpha-lipoic acid.
Foods with natural lipoic acid include red meat, liver, kidney, heart, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, rice bran, garden peas, and potatoes.
A small amount of lipoic acid is made in your body and is also supported by nutrients like NAC and glutathione. Levels of lipoic acid in your body significantly decline with age, leading to increased oxidative stress and inflammatory compounds that affect your nerves, brain, mitochondria, detoxification and metabolic functions, fertility, and more.
The Universal Antioxidant
Lipoic acid is considered a “universal antioxidant” for your body and is both fat- and water- soluble, going to all tissues inside and outside of cells. Some of its most important activities include its ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is a cofactor in the Kreb’s cycle, the process used to make ATP or energy. R-alpha lipoic acid inside your mitochondria provides antioxidant protection and burning of blood sugar for energy production and management of other vital mitochondrial activities.
Lipoic acid improves and strengthens antioxidant systems like the master antioxidant glutathione. Lipoic acid binds heavy metals and other toxins in the blood stream which can then be excreted.
Cognitive Health and Nerves
One of the most popular uses of lipoic acid is for brain and peripheral nervous system support. Several decades of research including clinical trials demonstrates lipoic acid’s support, protection, and improvement with nerve sensation and comfort.
Lipoic acid is considered essential for maintaining and supporting cognitive function, learning, movement-motor and sensory function and reduces age related degenerative decline.
Lipoic acid protects neurons in the brain against cellular stress, irritability, and toxicity induced by chemicals, heavy metals, and other toxic compounds. Lipoic acid helps to increase glutathione levels in your brain and protect lipids against peroxidation that cause breakdown of cell membranes and other structures made of fats.
Lipoic acid’s antioxidant activities lead to reduced production of cytokines IL-1B, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. It aids in protection of the hippocampus, the memory center of your brain, and is essential for aging well with cognitive, mental, and overall health.
Furthermore, lipoic acid activates an enzyme involved with the production of memory neurotransmitter acetylcholine and increases glucose absorption in the brain. This supplies more energy for your brain and increases levels of acetylcholine. This lipoic acid-choline enzyme mechanism also supports heart and bladder function.
Small Peripheral Nerves
Small nerves such as those found in your eyes, kidneys, heart, hands and feet, and autonomic nervous system are especially sensitive to the effects of oxidative stress and the Advanced Glycation End (AGEs) compounds. Lipoic acid aids in protecting these tissues from these stressors.
Stress and Nerves
Lipoic acid provides essential protection against significant stress that irritates the function of your autonomic system. Use of lipoic acid with other antioxidants supports improvements in blood flow, heart rate, and autonomic nervous system function (fight/flight, rest/relax/digest) in adults with acute and chronic stress. Studies show that oxidative stress levels declined in adults taking lipoic acid.
Blood Sugar, AGEs, and Warburg Effect
Inside your cells, lipoic acid helps increase blood sugar uptake in your muscle tissues and other cells where it is metabolically burned, thereby supporting insulin and blood sugar metabolism. Its antioxidant effects help protect nerves from the stress effects of blood sugar and advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
Various studies have shown that the metabolic effect of lipoic acid helps make acetyl CoA and energy rather than lactate and dysregulated aerobic glycolysis. This effect is important for healthy management of cells and apoptosis of rogue cells, thereby helping to manage the “Warburg Effect”.
Leptin, and Metabolism
Did you know that lipoic acid also helps your body manage the leptin hormone? Multiple clinical trials showed a reduction in leptin hormone levels and improvements with adiponectin and Il-6 levels with supplementation of lipoic acid. Improvements were noted in fat and blood sugar metabolism that supported healthy weight and other metabolic markers.
Dosages used in various studies ranged from 300 to 1200 mg of alpha lipoic acid (S-ALA) or 150 to 600 mg of R-ALA. Synergistic effects were noted when combined with vitamin E and omega-3 fish oil with various studies.
Blood Vessels and Endothelial Lining
Lipoic acid’s universal antioxidant protection works to protect endothelial or inner lining of your blood vessels against oxidative stress. It modulates nitric oxide production and makes beneficial eNOS more bioavailable, supporting metabolism, the vascular lining, blood pressure regulation, and heart health.
Salt Stress
Lipoic acid has been found to protect the brain nerves, kidneys, blood vessels, and the autonomic nervous system against the stress of high dietary salt intake. This is a very helpful, important option for those who are salt sensitive.
Detoxification
Your body has three major phases of detoxification working constantly in your body. The liver, kidneys, lungs, and digestive system are major sites of detoxification.
Phase I detoxification occurs in the liver, lungs, gut, and kidneys where xenobiotics, medications, pesticides, heavy metals, mold toxins, phthalates, BPA, etc. are oxidized, reduced, or hydrolyzed.
Phase II detoxification occurs in various locations throughout your body, especially the liver where another molecule is attached to the chemical to make it less toxic to your body. This step involves conjugation of toxins making them more hydrophilic to move into Phase III elimination. Lipoic acid plays a vital role in phase II detoxification along with glutathione and other compounds.
Phase III results in the transport or excretion of toxins out of cells and occurs in the brain, liver, intestines and kidneys.
Additional benefits of lipoic acid include detoxification and antioxidant support against mold and mycotoxins. It inhibits the growth of Candida albicans, E Coli, Rickettsia rickettsii, and other microorganisms. It supports gut, breast, ovarian, fertility health, and much more.
R-ALA
A common dosage used for nerve, brain, and metabolic health with the bioavailable form, R-ALA, is 300 mg/day for as long as needed. The common form of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) recommended dosage is 600 mg/day to achieve the same effects. Dosages up to 2400 mg/day have been found safe without severe side effects. Lipoic acid may be used during pregnancy up to 600 mg/day under the guidance of a health care practitioner.
Lipoic acid has the best absorption and bioavailability when taken on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before or at least 2 hours after a meal.
At Wellness Resources, we use an advanced form of R-alpha lipoic acid called Bio-Enhanced® na-RALA, which can be found in the supplements R-Alpha Lipoic Acid, Daily Detoxify, and Brain Protector. We do not cut the quality with the S-form of alpha lipoic acid. R-Alpha Lipoic Acid contains 100 mg Na-RALA per capsule. Daily Detoxify and Brain Protector each contain 50 mg Na-RALA per capsule.
It is harder to repair tissues after depletion and stress than it is to keep them with optimal antioxidant reserves when healthy. Be proactive and diligent as much as possible rather than reactive with your nutritional support.
Protect your mitochondria, nerves, blood vessels, blood sugar, metabolism, and all tissues with nourishment and nutrients like the “universal antioxidant” R-alpha lipoic acid. It is one of my personal favorites and hopefully yours too!
