Also Known As:
ALA
Thioctic Acid
Lipoate
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Variations:
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Related
Items:
Insulin
Chromium
D-Pinnitol |
Type:
Glucose Disposal Agent
Insulin Mimicker
Antioxidant |
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WHAT IS ALPHA LIPOIC ACID?
Alpha Lipoic Acid is a sulfur containing substance that is readily converted
to and from it's reduced form dihydrolipoic acid. Although Alpha Lipoic Acid
isn't a newly discovered compound it is probably the most popular and effective
glucose disposal agent around today. Research has shown that Alpha Lipoic Acid
has a positive effect on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and stimulates basal
glucose transport. The process could well be a part of a powerful
insulin-signaling pathway for which ALA could play a major role.
WHAT IS A GLUCOSE DISPOSAL AGENT?
A glucose
disposal agent (or a Glycemic Response Modifier) is used to dispose of more
nutrients into muscle and not fat cells making it a useful tool for athletes and
non athletes alike. Especially since more and more people are suffering
glucose/insulin related health problems each and every year. Such a growing
problem that in the US alone more than half of the population suffer from
glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Any nutrient that effects glucose
(any carbohydrate we ingest eventually becomes glucose) will effect insulin
metabolism and as a nation our modern day diets and highly processed foods are
causing severe havoc to our bodies natural means of disposing of these
nutrients. Insulin is a well known metabolic and highly anabolic hormone, mainly
due to the fact that it stimulates muscle cells to uptake glucose. When insulin
is optimized it may allow more nutrients like glucose, amino aids, protein and
creatine etc to be taken into the muscle cell. Insulin is secreted in
the pancreas in response to the ingestion of food, primarily carbohydrates.
Insulin then drives these nutrients into every organ of the body including
muscle tissue and body fat. Insulin is therefore termed a 'storage hormone'.
Apposed to the positive benefits of insulin the down side is that in excess
secretion it can inhibit enzymes that promote fat burning and actually upgrade
the activity of other enzymes that promote body fat accumulation. Therefore
managing insulin secretion properly is critical to muscle growth and bodyfat
regulation. Evidence also exists to show lipoic acid may help stimulate insulin
production without the presence of carbohydrates (especially useful on zero or
low carb diets). This means that lipoic acid may help cause beta islet cells of
the pancreas to release insulin independent of carbohydrates. LIPOIC
ACID AS A MEDICINE
In Germany
alpha lipoic acid is prescribed for adult onset diabetes (type II diabetes
mellitus) in dosages ranging from 600 to 800 mg per day and has been used there
for more than 30 years. For increased energy production, glycogen storage in the
muscles, and the possibility of decreased fat storage, athletes normally
supplement with dosages of about 400 - 600 mg per day. As an antioxidant ALA
is both fat and water soluble making it extremely effective and possibly one of
the most powerful anti oxidants available to us. For this purpose many people
supplement with around 200mg per day. Two studies looking at the antioxidant
properties of ALA showed that lipoic acid helps protect red blood cells and
fatty acids from both oxidative damage (the type usually experienced from
intense training) and UVA damage from intense exposure to sun light. There
has been research also done showing Alpha Lipoic Acid's ability to cleanse the
liver, especially when it comes to chemical poisons. Many internal and external
stressers can elevate liver enzymes to the point that the livers detoxifying
abilities are diminished. If the condition persists, liver degeneration occurs,
often leading to death. Alcohol abuse, for example, can cause cirrhosis.
Numerous studies have shown lipoic acid to enhance the production of glutathione,
the main antioxidant within cells. Glutathione plays a major role in mopping up
and neutralizing various toxins and free radicals. Other evidence suggests
lipoic acid may slow the progression of HIV-infection in AIDS patients. WHERE
DOES IT COME FROM?
Lipoic
Acid is naturally occurring in the mitochondria of both plant leaves (such as
spinach) and red meat. the best food sources of lipoic acid are potatoes, yeast
and liver, although ingesting a substantial dose from a naturally occurring diet
is virtually impossible. To obtain 200mg of lipoic acid, for example, one would
have to eat 200 pounds of spinach. Many people combine the use of alpha lipoic
acid with a creatine mix drink (creatine transport) as research has shown that
creatine is absorbed much better by the presence of insulin. Lipoic Acid is
thought to act similarly to insulin in that it may bind to the insulin receptor
machinery in muscle cells. Thus stimulating glucose and creatine uptake. Lipoic
Acid also plays a crucial role in the production of energy or adenosine
triphosphate (ATP). Research has shown that ALA can in fact increase cellular ATP
and glucose by upto 40 percent. HOW DO I USE ALA AND WHAT SHOULD I
EXPECT TO SEE?
When using Lipoic Acid the user
should experience speedier recovery from training, increased endurance, fuller,
more pumpable muscles and increased ability to loose body fat. It should be
noted that this is a very potent product and anything that effects insulin
should always be approached with caution. Taking too much of this supplement in
one go can cause low blood sugar resulting in possible fatigue, anxiety, jitteriness, confusion, frustration etc. The dose of ALA should be taken with a
meal and beginners should start with around 100mg and slowly work upto maybe 600
- 800 mg a day. As stated earlier alpha lipoic acid can be used sensibly, with
doctors consent, for any minor blood sugar ailments.
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