Alpha lipoic acid was discovered in the 1950s and found to be an antioxidant in 1988. Antioxidants, in general work to scavenge for dangerous free radicals that are byproducts of metabolism and can damage cellular DNA, cell walls and other cellular structures. Antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid neutralize these oxygen free radicals.
Alpha lipoic acid exists normally in the body in small amounts and is vital for energy metabolism in the cells. It’s only when it is taken as a supplement and freed up from its energy component that it acts as an antioxidant, preventing the signs of aging, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.
Alpha lipoic acid has been shown to be helpful in treating chronic liver disease and hepatitis. In one study, carried out by Fredrick C. Bartter MD, Burton M. Berkson MD PhD and associates from the National Institutes of Health in the 1970s, the researchers administered intravenous alpha lipoic acid to 79 people with severe liver damage at various medical centers across the United States and 75 recovered full liver function later.
Alpha lipoic acid also seems to reduce insulin sensitivity. It seems to act by increasing the cellular uptake of glucose by recruiting the glucose transporter GLUT4 to the cell membrane.
- Berkson BM. “A Conservative Triple Antioxidant Approach to the Treatment of Hepatitis C. Combination of Alpha-Lipoic Acid (Thioctic Acid), Silymarin and Selenium. Three Case Histories.” Medizinische Klinik. 94(3), 1999: 84-89.
- Berkson, BM, Rubin D, and Berkson AJ. “Long term survival of a 46 year old man with pancreatic cancer and liver metastases and treated with intravenous alpha lipoic acid and low dose naltrexone.” Integrative Cancer Therapies. 5;1 March 2006,83-89
- Henriksen EJ (2006). "Exercise training and the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes". Free Radic Biol Med 40 (1): 3-12. PMID.
- Tang J, et al. “Alpha-lipoic acid may improve symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy.” Neurologist. 2007 May;13(3):164-7.
