Alpha Lipoic Acid: Antioxidant With a Twist

Hundreds of studies have shown that antioxidant nutrients protect cells from free radicals, neutralizing these molecular marauders before they do serious damage.

Antioxidants also protect your genetic DNA, cellular membranes, and even the enzyme systems that support cell metabolism. This protection has implications far beyond daily health—it also helps you to avoid cardiovascular problems and supports the aging process itself.

Alpha lipoic acid (also called lipoic acid) is considered a universal antioxidant because of its ability to conserve other important antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and CoQ10.

Because it is fat- and water-soluble, alpha lipoic acid is readily dissolved and distributed throughout all the tissues and cells of your body, including the brain, where it readily crosses the blood/brain barrier to protect neural tissues and support memory function. It also has the ability to regenerate L-glutathione, an essential nutrient that promotes heart health.

As you age, your stores of lipoic acid decline. You can get some of what you need from food, but, unfortunately, the best dietary source of lipoic acid is red meat, which often contains high levels of saturated fats, hormones, pesticides, and radiation. If you have high triglyceride levels, need to lower your LDL cholesterol levels, have poor circulation, or other heart health risks, you should eat red meat in moderation.  As a result, itt’s far better and safer for you to get this antioxidant in supplement form.

Recommended dose: Take 100–200 mg of alpha lipoic acid daily.

For more information on antioxidant use and heart health, visit www.drsinatra.com.