Alpha-Lipoic Acid with Biotin - 60 caps

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant used in Europe to promote liver & nerve health, & confer protective benefits against oxidative processes. Alpha-lipoic acid has been called the "universal" antioxidant because it boosts glutathione levels in cells already within a normal range & has potent antioxidant actions. Research has strongly implicated cellular oxidative damage caused by free radicals. What makes alpha-lipoic acid so effective as an antioxidant is its ability to quench free radicals in both aqueous & lipid environments. This means that the antioxidant activity of alpha-lipoic acid is working in the extra-cellular fluid & also within the cell. It also has metal chelating ability, helping the body rid itself of accumulated ingested toxins. Alpha-lipoic acid also is a cofactor for some of the key enzymes (alpha keto acid dehydrogenases) involved in generating energy from Food & oxygen in mitochondria8-10 & thus plays a critical role in energy production within the cell's mitochondria. One of the most beneficial effects of alpha-lipoic acid is its ability to regenerate other essential antioxidants such as vitamins C & E, coenzyme Q10, & glutathione, & the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) & glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The evidence is especially strong for the ability of DHLA (dihydrolipoic acid, a reduced form of alpha-lipoic acid) to recycle vitamin E. This is apparently achieved directly by quenching tocopherol radicals or indirectly by reducing vitamin C or increasing the levels of ubiquinol (a derivative of CoQ10) & glutathione, that, in turn, helps regenerate tissue levels of vitamin E. In clinical studies to date with alpha-lipoic acid, there have been no reported serious adverse side effects, even at high doses. Among the mild, reversible side effects found in some patients have been allergic skin reactions & possible hypoglycemia in diabetics. Please note that the R-lipoic acid provides a more biologically active form of lipoic acid than alpha-lipoic acid at only a slightly higher cost.