Endogenous nutrients are naturally produced nutrients in the human body that participate in different physiological activities. A young, healthy body can produce enough to meet its needs. However, disease, aging, environmental deterioration and other factors will make the stock of the body insufficient, need to supplement from the outside, dietary supplements are the most convenient and effective way to supplement the outside.
Alpha-lipoic acid, or lipoic acid, is a very important nutrient that plays a central role in the antioxidant network and is known as the "all-purpose antioxidant." Lipoic acid has become a common ingredient in multivitamin formulations, anti-aging supplements and even pet foods abroad. Although China is the largest producer of alpha-lipoic acid, most of it is exported abroad. The domestic industry has little understanding of its nutritional effects, not to mention full application.
What is alpha-lipoic acid?
Alpha-lipoic acid is an organosulfur compound derived from octanoic acid, which is normally produced in animals and is essential for aerobic metabolism.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a nutrient that helps convert glucose into energy in the body. Alpha-lipoic acid is also an antioxidant that neutralizes harmful chemicals called free radicals. It works in water and fat, respectively, and can support the antioxidants vitamin E (which works only in fat) and vitamin C (which works only in water), allowing them to neutralize free radicals and regenerate antioxidant capacity.
1. α-lipoic acid source
A healthy body naturally produces enough alpha-lipoic acid and needs to replenish it when it is insufficient. Lipoic acid is found in many foods that combine with lysine in proteins, and is more abundant in kidney, heart, liver, spinach, broccoli, and yeast extracts. But dietary LEVELS OF LIPOIC ACID ARE EXTREMELY LOW, AND IT takes about 10 tons of animal LIVER to extract 30 milligrams OF LIPOIC ACID to DETERMINE ITS CHEMICAL structure. Naturally occurring lipoic acid is always covalently bound and not readily available in the diet. So lipoic acid as a supplement is chemically synthesized.
2. Which form of alpha-lipoic acid is best?
The naturally occurring form of α-lipoic acid is an R-isomer. Supplements contain synthetic forms of R-isomers, or more commonly mixtures of R-and S-isomers. The R-isomer is more active in both isomers; however, only the efficacy and side effects of the mixed form have been studied in clinical trials and are generally less expensive than R-isomer only products.
3. Dose of α-lipoic acid supplementation
Treatment of diabetes mellitus and associated neuropathy and cardiac autonomic neuropathy. A typical dose is 200 to 400 mg per dose (600 to 1200 mg per day). For weight loss, 100 mg of alpha-lipoic acid per dose with three low-calorie meals a day has been shown to be beneficial. Lower doses are usually recommended when used as a general antioxidant. With the R-isomeric form only, the dose can be halved.
4. Safety and side effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplements:
Studies have reported side effects such as rashes and nausea. Because alpha-lipoic acid can help control blood sugar in people with diabetes, it may need to be adjusted with anti-diabetes drugs when using alpha-lipoic acid.
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