Alpha Lipoic Acid, also known as ALA, lipoic acid, thioctic acid, is an organic compound that can be found in foods such as organ meats, spinach, and broccoli, however, these foods contain low levels of Alpha Lipoic Acid and low bioavailability. Read the full product description below.
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Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha Lipoic Acid, or ALA for short, is one of the more popular supplements of 2016 thus far, and has been gaining popularity for quite some time. Antioxidants are incredibly important for our health and well-being, which is one of the reasons why ALA is now generating so much attention. For those of you suffering with a constant lack of energy, weight issues, or for those of you simply looking for a supplement designed to help boost general health and well-being, ALA is ideal.
What is Alpha Lipoic Acid?
This naturally occurring compound found within the human body, is actually a very potent and very powerful antioxidant, which is able to provide a whole host of various health and wellness benefits to the human body. At cellular level for instance, it serves a number of different functions, including the fact that it plays a key role in the natural production of energy, making it a key component of a healthy metabolism. It has also been found to help treat various health conditions as well, including Type 2 Diabetes. It is actually synthesized from a fatty acid known as octanoic acid and, due to its molecular structure, it can function as a powerful antioxidant, not only in aqueous environments, but also in fat-based environments as well.
How does it work?
The main way in which ALA works is that it functions as a natural part of energy producing mechanisms of human cells. It also acts as a natural catalyst for nutrient absorption and uptake, which means that it can help make vitamins and minerals more efficient as it can allow the body to absorb more of them in one go. Because of the fact that it is such a powerful antioxidant, it can prevent cellular damage and can help restore natural vitamin stores. This in turn allows it to eradicate free radicals and toxins from the body, that would ordinarily attack our cells, and potentially cause them to mutate, and possibly turn cancerous. For metabolic purposes, ALA plays a key role in the breakdown and conversion of carbohydrates into glucose to be used as energy.
What are the main benefits of alpha lipoic acid?
Some of the primary benefits of ALA supplementation include the following:
Source of antioxidants
First and foremost, as ALA functions as a powerful antioxidant, it can therefore help to provide protection for our cells, helping to protect us against cell damage, which could cause diseases such as cancer.
Diabetes benefits
A number of studies have also found that ALA could actually provide a whole host of benefits to individuals suffering with Type 2 Diabetes. These studies have revealed that ALA does appear to help the body to naturally use its own insulin for reducing blood sugar levels, which means that it could help improve insulin sensitivity. It has also been found to help reduce the effects of nerve damage, which can be caused as a result of diabetes.
Promotes glucose metabolism
Another benefit of ALA is the fact that it does appear to be able to enable cells to produce more energy. This is important because not only will you have more energy, it will also help you to burn off excess body fat easier.
How and when should it be consumed?
Health Canada Recommended Dose (capsules): Adults: 1 - 3 Capsule(s) 1 time(s) per day.
Alpha lipoic acid VS conjugated linoleic acid
Whilst ALA and Conjugated Linoleic Acid, or CLA, share a few similarities, they are still very different. CLA for example, is thought to not possess the powerful antioxidant properties associated with ALA, and is therefore used primarily to assist with weight loss. ALA however, functions also as a potent antioxidant, making it much better for health and well-being.
What can you stack it with?
As mentioned, ALA is great for not only promoting health and well-being, but for also promoting weight loss as well. In fact, a lot of people use ALA-based stacks for weight loss, stacking it with green tea extract, as well as CLA, to really get the metabolism firing on all cylinders. Acetyl L-Carnitine is another supplement that stacks very well with ALA.
Alpha Lipoic Acid Ingredients
Per Capsule
Medicinal Ingredients (per capsule): DL-alpha-Lipoic acid .......................... 200 Milligrams
Non-Medicinal Ingredients: Gelatin.
Potential side effects
As far as potential side effects go, ALA is not considered safe for pregnant or breast feeding women, as not enough is yet known for it to be deemed safe or not. As with all new supplements, before you begin taking ALA, you should first take the time to speak with your doctor and get their expert advice. Generally speaking, although considered largely to be safe, some people may experience the following side effects when taking an ALA supplement. These include:
- A slight rash on the body when taken orally
- Itching
- Thiamine deficiencies
- Interactions with diabetes medications, which may need to be adjusted
- May interfere/interact with medications used to treat and deal with thyroid diseases and deficiencies
- Upset stomach
- Slight dizziness
- Gastric disturbances
- Muscle cramps
Cautions and Warnings
Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have diabetes.
Allergen warnings
Allergy Statement: This product is made in a facility that handles milk products, gluten, shellfish, soy, peanuts and other tree nuts.
This product may contain milk, gluten, shellfish, soy, peanuts and other tree nuts.
