{"id":57205,"date":"2023-02-22T09:30:12","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T14:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=57205"},"modified":"2024-11-12T18:31:40","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T23:31:40","slug":"alpha-lipoic-acid-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/alpha-lipoic-acid-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"12 health benefits of alpha-lipoic acid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Superfoods are touted for their <\/span>health benefits<\/span> because they\u2019re jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, and <\/span>antioxidants<\/span>. You\u2019ve likely heard about the power of <\/span>vitamin C<\/span> and <\/span>vitamin E<\/span>, but one just as potent <\/span>antioxidant<\/span> that is made in your very own <\/span>mitochondria<\/span> is <\/span>alpha-lipoic acid<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Alpha-lipoic acid<\/span> is an <\/span>antioxidant<\/span>, a type of nutrient that has the ability to protect cells from damage,\u201d explains <\/span>Sony Sherpa<\/span><\/a>, MD, a holistic physician from <\/span>Nature’s Rise<\/span><\/a>. \u201cAlthough it occurs naturally in our bodies and can be found in foods like spinach, <\/span>red meat<\/span>, broccoli, and potatoes, taking <\/span>supplements<\/span> containing <\/span>alpha-lipoic acid<\/span> can provide additional <\/span>health benefits<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

12 <\/span>health benefits<\/span> of <\/span>alpha-lipoic acid<\/span><\/h2>\n

Because of its powerful <\/span>antioxidant properties<\/span>, there are numerous benefits to taking <\/span>alpha-lipoic acid<\/span><\/a>, sometimes referred to as <\/span>ALA<\/span>. Eating veggies, <\/span>red meat<\/span>, or <\/span>organ meat<\/span> or taking a <\/span>dietary supplement<\/span> are a few ways to add this <\/span>antioxidant<\/span> to your diet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before discussing the benefits of <\/span>alpha-lipoic acid<\/span>, it\u2019s important to note that sometimes <\/span>it<\/span> can be confused with alpha-linolenic acid because they have the same abbreviation. However, alpha-linolenic acid is an omega-3 <\/span>fatty acid<\/span>, not an <\/span>antioxidant<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Alpha-lipoic acid<\/span> may help reduce inflammation, improve <\/span>blood sugar<\/span> control in <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span>, and prevent certain kinds of <\/span>nerve damage<\/span>,\u201d says Dr. Sherpa. \u201cIt is even thought to contribute to better skin health by reducing signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots due to its active role in supporting cell metabolism.\u201d It\u2019s <\/span>fat-soluble<\/span> and <\/span>water-soluble<\/span>, meaning it can work across your body to improve health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite being one of the lesser-known <\/span>antioxidants<\/span>, <\/span>alpha-lipoic acid<\/span> can do some pretty impressive things for both men and women. Let\u2019s dive in and learn more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alpha-lipoic acid<\/span> coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

1. Improves <\/span>blood sugar<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cAs an <\/span>antioxidant<\/span>, <\/span>alpha-lipoic acid<\/span> works to neutralize <\/span>free radicals<\/span> in the body, thus reducing inflammation,\u201d says <\/span>Nancy Mitchell<\/span><\/a>, a registered nurse and a contributing writer at Assisted Living. \u201cBut it is also needed to assist in breaking down <\/span>carbohydrates<\/span> into glucose for energy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Several studies have found that <\/span>alpha-lipoic acid<\/span> can help <\/span>prevent and treat diabetes<\/span><\/a> by helping lower <\/span>blood glucose<\/span>, or <\/span>blood sugar levels<\/span>, and improving <\/span>insulin sensitivity<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>Alpha-lipoic acid<\/span> also has insulin-mimetic properties, meaning it mimics the action of insulin, which could be helpful for some patients with diabetes and in turn, decrease <\/span>diabetes complications<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>20 natural remedies for diabetes<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to <\/span>diabetes care<\/span>, <\/span>alpha-lipoic acid<\/span> can also help treat <\/span>metabolic syndromes<\/span>, a group of conditions including <\/span>high blood pressure<\/span> and <\/span>insulin resistance<\/span><\/a>, which can lead to <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span>, stroke, and <\/span>heart disease<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Reduces <\/span>peripheral neuropathy<\/span><\/h3>\n

ALA<\/span> can reduce <\/span>free radicals<\/span> that cause <\/span>nerve damage<\/span> in patients with <\/span>peripheral neuropathy<\/span> or <\/span>diabetic neuropathy<\/span><\/a>. It <\/span>can help lessen<\/span><\/a> the tingling sensation in diabetic patients with <\/span>nerve damage<\/span>. One systematic review found that neuropathy symptoms, like burning and tingling <\/span>nerve pain<\/span>, <\/span>were reduced<\/span><\/a> in participants with peripheral <\/span>diabetic neuropathy<\/span> when given <\/span>alpha-lipoic acid<\/span>. This research indicates <\/span>ALA<\/span> could be beneficial in <\/span>diabetes care<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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