Anti-Aging: Alpha Lipoic Acid

diabetes-related neuropathy. It has also been shown to effectively lower liver enzymes. ALA protects the body from free radicals that may enter the system through cigarette smoke, pollution, car exhaust, fried foods and in other ways. If you live in an environment that has no smoke, no pollution, and no car exhaust, and if you never eat fried foods, then you are probably in pretty good shape and don't have to worry about free radicals. The rest of us could benefit from taking supplements that contain antioxidants like Alpha Lipoic Acid. If you don't want to take a supplement, you may still get some Alpha Lipoic Acid through your diet, provided you eat enough of the right kinds of foods. Alpha Lipoic Acid is a naturally occurring substance and can be found in foods such as meats, and vegetables (i.e. spinach). The main function of Alpha Lipoic Acid is to increase the body's production of glutathione, which helps dissolve toxic substances in the liver. The liver is the filter for the body, and an unhealthy liver means an unhealthy you. Almost everyone knows that alcohol can damage the liver, but so can certain pain-relievers and other prescription medications. Being overweight also puts additional stress on the liver which can lead to long term damage and a condition known as "fatty liver." Alpha Lipoic Acid helps cleanse the liver and has been associated with other healthful benefits. It has also been associated with both the mitigation of heavy metal toxicity and the direct chelation of heavy metals, such as mercury.[1] Mercury exposure is the second-most common cause of toxic metal poisoning. Alpha Lipoic Acid Benefits (proposed uses) ALA has been used to improve liver health, treat diabetes-related nerve damage and help regulate blood sugar, prevent diabetic retinopathy (damage to the eyes done by diabetes), and provide protection against oxidative processes involved in the degenerative diseases. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant and liver purifier, Alpha Lipoic Acid has shown promise in several areas of medicine. * Alpha Lipoic Acid: Most Powerful Antioxidant Alpha lipoic acid is an extremely important antioxidant that destroys many of the free-radicals that are harmful to the human body. Lipoic acid is both water and fat soluble. This is beneficial in countering many different forms of oxidative stress and cellular damage in any part of a cell. Thereby, it can reduce the oxidative stress in the body while recycling the effectiveness of other antioxidants such as vitamin C, E and glutathione. Vitamin C and glutathione can be regenerated through reaction with alpha lipoic acid.[15] # Alpha Lipoic Acid as a Wrinkle Cure Lester Packer, Ph.D. of University of California, Berkeley, has researched and published several studies that prove the therapeutic benefits of alpha lipoic acid when administered orally to both animals and humans. Dr. Packer proved that the alpha lipoic acid does a great job of squashing the free radicals and thereby protecting the vitamins in the body. Dr. Nicholas Perricone, M.D. of Yale University School of Medicine and the author of the book The Wrinkle Cure states that since "alpha lipoic acid is both fat and water soluble, it can work in each and every part of skin cells." According to Dr. Perricone, alpha lipoic acid helps with the elimination of damaged collagen resulting in erasing of wrinkles and facial scars. He also thinks that alpha lipoic acid prevents the sugar damage of protein that also prevents the premature aging and skin damage.[14]