It’s A Long And Winding Road

Our bodies naturally make alpha lipoid acid (also called lipoid acid or ALA). In fact, this fatty acid can be found in every cell of our body. It’s used to convert glucose into our bodies energy. It is also an antioxidant. However, it is unique as an antioxidant as it is both fat and water soluble and it is a recycler of other antioxidants in our body.

Foods containing alpha lipoid acid are spinach, broccoli, peas, brussel sprouts and rice bran. Supplements should be taken on an empty stomach for the most benefit. You might wonder why you would need supplements if the body already makes it. Perhaps the healthy person does not, except that additional antioxidants are not usually a bad thing for anyone. However, certain conditions can be greatly helped by it’s addition to a person’s daily regimen.

Like anything else, our bodies probably make less of this fatty acid as we age. Staving off free radicals with alpha lipoid acid may help slow the aging process. This fatty acid also has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. It may even be beneficial neurologically. Although studies are not conclusive, it has been suggested that this fatty acid supplement may benefit MS, cataracts, glaucoma, Alzheimer and stroke. It is also used for blood sugar control in diabetic patients.

A recent study performed by the Mayo Clinic and a Russian clinic in tandem showed results that diabetics suffering from neuropathy (nerve damage) were greatly helped quickly and severely by a decrease in sharp pains, prickling and numbness. The complete article can be seen at http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2003-rst/1733.html. Dr. Dyke, head of the study said, “There have been no known complications.”

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