Potent Antioxidant*
Promotes Healthy Nerve, Vascular and Glucose Function*
In addition to functioning as a coenzyme in the citric acid cycle, alpha-lipoic acid is now well recognized and substantiated as a powerful antioxidant. Described as the ñmetabolic antioxidantî by Lester Packer, PhD from the Dept of Molecular and Cell Biology, U of California, Berkeley, alpha-lipoic acid has several unique qualities.
Alpha-lipoic acid and its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid, are potent antioxidants and neutralize free radicals in both aqueous and lipid cell compartments. It also provides protection to both intracellular and extracellular environments. Alpha-lipoic acid works synergistically with other antioxidants. It recycles vitamins E and C, coenzyme Q10 and raises intracellular glutathione levels making it an ideal defense against oxidative damage to nerve and brain cells.
Preliminary evidence shows alpha lipoic acid exerts a protective effect in vascular damage, brain injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, glucose pathology, inborn errors of metabolism and other acute or chronic damage to brain or nerve tissue. Alpha-lipoic acid may also be beneficial in visual disorders.
From a therapeutic standpoint Packer refers to alpha-lipoic acid as the ñidealî antioxidant based on several criteria: readily absorbed, conversion in cells and tissues into utilizable form, a variety of antioxidant actions (including interactions with other antioxidants) in both membrane and aqueous phases and low toxicity.
