Supplements

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Lipoic acid, or thioctic acid, is a powerful antioxidant. Because it is both water and fat soluble, it can move into all parts of cells to deactivate free radicals. It is a protector of glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10.

Additionally lipoic acid encourages the body to convert food into energy more efficiently, helps prevent what we eat from being deposited as fat, and participates in the cleanup of toxins and other by-products of fat metabolism.

Because alpha-lipoic acid relieves stress on the liver and directly supports its detoxifying functions, it has been used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and Amanita (a particularly toxic mushroom) poisoning. It is able to bind to toxic metals and is used for heavy metal detoxification. Alpha-lipoic acid can help eliminate toxic effects of anesthesia, analgesics, or other drugs used in the course of surgery, and to ease subsequent pain. A recommended dose is two 100-mg capsules, three times daily, one week before surgery and two weeks postoperatively.

Alpha-lipoic-acid has been used for over thirty years in Europe to treat diabetic neuropathy in both Type I and Type II diabetics. In one study, a daily dosage of between 300 and 600 mg of lipoic acid decreased neuropathy pain within twelve weeks, although actual nerve function did not improve. Long-lasting relief was brought about in another study with both oral and intravenous dosages of 600 mg. In yet another experiment, researchers calculated an 80 percent improvement in symptoms after 320 people hospitalized for neuropathy took a three-week course of the nutrient.

Lipoic acid fights insulin resistance and markedly stimulates our cells' uptake of glucose. Anyone who is overweight or follows a high-carbohydrate diet risks developing an insulin disorder, so lipoic acid is potentially useful to most of us.

In the brain it may assist in curbing or preventing the cell damage of Alzheimer's disease. Animal research already has demonstrated its ability to enhance memory and cognitive function.

Deficiency: The body does not produce large amounts of ALA, and since it is found primarily in only a few foods, supplementation may be necessary.

Sources: ALA is found primarily in spinach, broccoli and organ meats.

Precautions: Studies investigating the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on nerve damage related to diabetes found no side effects at the dosage levels they were testing. Diabetics should take ALA with caution as it can cause hypoglycemia.

Dosage Ranges and Duration of Administration: Currently, no recommended dosages have been established for alpha-lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid manufacturers suggest one or two 50-mg capsules daily as a dietary supplement.

• Adults: 100 to 300 mg daily
• Weight loss: 300 and 600 mg daily
• As treatment for diabetes, cancer, or AIDS: 600-900 mg daily (Atkins, et. al.)

INTERACTIONS

Amikacin; Gentamicin
Supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid (100 mg/kg/day) in rats treated with amikacin significantly reduced cochlear damage caused by ototoxic doses of this drug (Conlon et al. 1999). Treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (25 mg/kg/day) also ameliorated the oxidative stress caused by gentamicin (100 mg/kg/day) in rats (Sandhya and Varalakshmi 1997). Gentamicin-induced oxidative stress is thought to underlie the potentially serious renal side effects associated with this drug.

Cisplatin
A study comparing alpha-lipoic acid at several different doses (25 to 100 mg/kg), with and without cisplatin, concluded that the alpha-lipoic acid conferred significant protection against cisplatin ototoxicity at all dose levels in rats (Rybak et al. 1999). This effect was associated with improvements in glutathione metabolic markers and reduced oxidative stress.

Cyclophosphamide
Preclinical evidence suggests that alpha-lipoic acid may protect against the cytotoxic effects induced by cyclophosphamide (Faust et al. 1994). Supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid significantly reduced the incidence of cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes in mice.

Levothyroxine
In rats, alpha-lipoic acid (7.5 mg/100 g/day) inhibited enzymatic conversion of triiodothyronine (T3) to thyroxine (T4) (Segermann et al. 1991). Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation with T4 also had an apparent synergistic effect on serum cholesterol, producing significantly greater depression than T4 alone. Blood hormone levels and thyroid function tests should be monitored for this potential interaction.