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Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant, as it contains two powerful antioxidant groups for each molecule of ALA. One of its most important characteristics is that, unlike most antioxidants, it is fat-soluble and water-soluble. This enables it to provide protection in a much wider range of physiological environments throughout the body, including the brain, while most IV antioxidants cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.

At the cellular level, ALA (which is made by the body and found in every cell) helps turn glucose into energy and also aids in recycling other antioxidants to participate in neutralizing dangerous free radicals.

Within the body, the normal levels of circulating ALA are relatively low, meaning that supplementation is necessary in order to experience ALA’s full benefits. Most of the ALA the body makes is consumed rapidly, so IV supplementation of this molecule can have major benefits.

The SYDNEY Trial Study Group found that patients with nerve damage caused by diabetes experienced statistically significant improvement in sensory symptoms (such as pain, burning, itching, tingling, and numbness) after undergoing intravenous alpha-lipoic acid therapy. These results were not achieved with oral supplementation. These same results have been found in Germany, where it is regularly used intravenously to heal diabetic nerve damage.

Research has shown that ALA is also significant for cancer patients. ALA has the power to modify and regulate genetic expression, causing genes that spur the development of cancer to be turned off. ALA along with Vitamin C can support cancer prevention and treatment.

•  Boosts immunity
• Enhances skin complexion
• Increases energy levels
• Reduces Inflammation
• Reduces Oxidative Stress
• Improves Performance

A major complication associated with diabetes is neuropathy. Symptoms of neuropathy include tingling, numbness or pain in the extremities, it contributes to joint degeneration, diabetic ulcers and amputation. Research has shown that a major role in the development of neuropathy could be played by oxidative damage.

Although not yet approved in the United States for the treatment of diabetes, there are no known complications associated with the use of ALA with diabetes. Studies have shown that alpha lipoic acid has shown to reverse certain deficits associated with diabetic neuropathy.

Researchers have proposed that alpha lipoic acid may help treat chronic diseases, including various types of cancers. It has also been shown to prevent the spread of metastatic cancers. Intravenous alpha lipoic acid has in some studies been branded as the primary therapy for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, liver and gallbladder cancer, stomach cancer, uterine cancer, brain and nerve cancers, carcinoid tumors, kidney cancer, multiple myeloma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, nasopharyngeal, sarcoma, pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer. It also showed to have quite a few other important uses with side-effect control and symptom management. 

One of the first benefits discovered when using alpha lipoic acid was its ability with helping to prevent scurvy. It was later shown that this effect was exerted by alpha lipoic acid due to it helping to recycle vitamin C and glutathione, which is one of the most powerful antioxidants found in the body´s tissue. 

Energy depletion and oxidative damage in the brain’s neurons are crucial factors in the development of Alzheimer´s disease. Although not approved in the United States for the prevention of or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, studies have suggested that alpha lipoic acid taken daily in a dose of 600 milligrams, helped to slow down the progression of Alzheimer´s disease. There were even test subjects who seemed to benefit more significantly benefit using alpha lipoic acid than from prescription medications they had been taking.

These are just a few of the many benefits associated with alpha lipoic acid. Alpha lipoic acid can actually be found in certain foods, and many alternative health doctors use supplemental forms in higher more concentrated doses to helps these with neurodegenerative conditions such as; diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and heart disease. Alpha lipoic acid in supplemental form has also become popular when it comes to helping improve human performance in individuals that are otherwise healthy.