Lipoic Acid: The Ultimate Antioxidant
There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of lipoic acid. It’s an essential antioxidant that your body can’t live without. Learn why lipoic acid is crucial to many bodily functions. We’ll also discuss ways to boost your production of this antioxidant for optimal health.
What Is Lipoic Acid?
Also called alpha-lipoic acid, this antioxidant occurs naturally in our bodies. Every cell has it, and it’s crucial in converting glucose and breaking down carbohydrates into energy.
We’ve already referred to lipoic acid as an antioxidant. This fact is important because antioxidants combat free radicals, the waste products that result from our bodies converting food into energy. When too many free radicals build up, they cause cell damage, making it more difficult for the body to fight off infection and prevent tissue damage.
One of the amazing attributes of lipoic acid is that it works in both fat and water. Not all antioxidants are that versatile. To compare, vitamin C is merely water-soluble, while vitamin E only works in fat. Because lipoic acid is amenable to both fat and water, it can function throughout the whole body.
You can boost your lipoid acid levels by taking lipoic acid supplements and eating foods like beets, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, red meat, and spinach. You’ll especially want to stock up on lipoic acid if you’re concerned about any of the following medical issues:
Diabetes
Research suggests that lipoic acid helps reduce blood sugar levels, critical to diabetes management and insulin sensitivity. Also, because it’s an antioxidant, lipoic acid combats the free radicals contributing to diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This condition is to blame for the burning, tingling, itching, pain, and numbness in the arms and legs resulting from nerve damage.
If you have diabetes and suffer from the symptoms of nerve damage, taking 600-1800 mg of lipoic acid can help reverse the damage and restore nerve function. If this dosage doesn’t work, consider looking into IV treatments through a local holistic health provider.
Brain Function
Lipoic acid passes quickly into the brain, making it beneficial for preserving cognitive health. Research continues to investigate this antioxidant’s potential for treating and lowering the risk of stroke. That’s because free radical damage can contribute to dementia and other forms of cognitive decline.
High Cholesterol
If getting enough lipoic acid through diet alone is challenging, taking supplements could help with high cholesterol levels and lipids (fats) in your bloodstream. Remember that it might take a few years to see results from supplementation.
Ask a Cincinnati Holistic Practitioner about taking Lipoid Acid
If you’re in good health, your body likely produces enough lipoid acid. In addition to eating the right foods, you can get lipoid acid supplements from Blatman Health and Wellness Center. It’s essential to get medical advice if you’re considering starting any supplement. For instance, it’s unclear how safe lipoic acid supplements are for pregnant people.
Supplementation also comes with potential side effects. Although they’re not common, complications from taking lipoic acid include insomnia, skin rashes, fatigue, and diarrhea. Because lipoic acid lowers blood sugar, taking this supplement under a doctor’s supervision is wise, especially if you already have low blood sugar. Another caveat is that you might not want to take this supplement if you consistently have low levels of vitamin B1.
Dr. Blatman, a board-certified doctor in Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Integrative Holistic Medicine, provides guidance on using supplements to treat various conditions and improve overall health. Feel free to contact Blatman Health and Wellness Center with questions about lipoic acid or any other supplement.
