There are some supplements that everyone has heard of before, like multivitamins and cod liver oil. Then there’s alpha lipoic acid (ALA). You’d be forgiven for saying “huh?” at the name, but this antioxidant has a surprising and impressive list of potential benefits (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/alpha-lipoic-acid-your-secret-weapon-for-optimal-health-and-antiaging/), (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/the-power-of-alpha-lipoic-acid-boost-your-health-and-wellness-today/), (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/alpha-lipoic-acid-the-antioxidant-you-didnt-know-you-needed/).
Antioxidants are pretty important. They add a stabilizing electron to the dangerously unstable free radicals that can damage your DNA and cell structure, a leading factor in the development of chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer. Fruit and vegetables that are high in vitamins C and E tend to be good dietary sources of antioxidants.
ALA can be produced by the body, but it is also present in broccoli, spinach and yeast as well as liver, other offal and red meat. Like other antioxidants, it can help reduce oxidative stress. It even boosts the protective antioxidant glutathione.
Research into ALA’s antioxidative benefits suggests it could be particularly useful for those with type 2 diabetes as it can improve insulin sensitivity, which in turn aids blood sugar regulation. It can also alleviate some of the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, as well as other nerve issues.
Other potential benefits of ALA include its possible anti-inflammatory impact, stemming from how it reduces the body’s production of inflammatory cytokines. Chronic inflammation is a common factor in many age-related diseases. That may not be its only anti-aging function. It also appears to make you look younger by hydrating the skin and reducing lines and wrinkles.
Then there are the neurological effects of ALA. ALA crosses the blood-brain barrier relatively easily, and its ability to lower oxidative stress applies to the brain just like the rest of the body. This potentially means less cognitive decline in your old age and a lower chance of developing neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s and dementia. Research is ongoing into whether it can be used in treating strokes and brain damage.
Part of the reason scientists think ALA may be particularly effective, even compared to other antioxidants and supplements, is that it’s both water and fat-soluble, meaning it functions well in both watery and fatty parts of the body. However, most studies so far have been relatively small and involved animals, so we don’t yet have the solid evidence we need to say that ALA supplements are the best way to go, despite their increasing popularity.
