Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid is another one of those fabulous antioxidants that our body naturally produces. With the amount of free radical exposure in our regular life increasing every year, our need for antioxidants goes up and up. Supplementing with ALA can help you recover from or get ahead of the damage of life.

As a sulfur-containing molecule, ALA is found and works away within our mitochondria - the little power stations in our cells. It is required for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and using them to create energy.

Working both as an antioxidant and a regenerator of other antioxidants, ALA helps us reduce oxidative damage from free radicals on many fronts. Helping to regenerate coenzyme Q10, vitamin C and glutathione keeps excess aging, inflammation and arterial damage down. This all helps decrease cardiovascular symptoms.

ALA has been studied for its role in blood sugar regulation. This in turn helps with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and its symptoms, and metabolic syndrome.

MEDICINAL INGREDIENT — EACH CAPSULE CONTAINS:

• Alpha Lipoic Acid 250 mg

NON-MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS:

• Microcrystalline Cellulose
• Magnesium Stearate (Non-GMO Vegetable Source)
• Gelatin (Capsule)
  
  

RECOMMENDED DOSE — (ORAL) ADULTS ONLY:

Take 1 capsule per day.

CAUTIONS:

Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have diabetes; or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you experience sweating, paleness, chills, headache, dizziness and/or confusion, discontinue use and consult a health care practitioner (as these may be symptoms of serious low blood sugar).

Q: I’ve heard about using ALA to decrease the numbness, tingling and pain of neuropathy. Is this a benefit of this product?

A: Yes. In Germany, alpha lipoic acid is approved for treating diabetic and peripheral neuropathies.

Q: Are there other changes I can make to help balance my blood sugar?

A: Absolutely. Your dietary choices play an important role in how quickly or slowly glucose enters your bloodstream. Plan each meal to include a high fibre carbohydrate, some protein and some fat. Digestion of these nutrients takes more effort and time, so slowly releases the glucose found in your meal. This leads to a steady stream of energy, without the peaks, crashes and cravings of a high-sugar diet.

Q: Are there specific foods that would be best to avoid for better blood sugar regulation?

A: For sure. Avoid refined carbohydrates like white sugar, white flour, white rice and white pasta - these have no fibre or nutrients to slow down the release of the sugar, so go quickly into the bloodstream. Too much sugar makes the cells ‘tired’ of dealing with all that glucose, and they can become insulin resistant. A big hit of refined carbohydrates can’t all be used as fuel, so more often gets stored as fat.

Q: Can I find alpha lipoic acid in foods?

A: You can find it in some foods, like kidney, heart, liver, spinach, broccoli and yeast extract, where it is bound to the protein lysine. In this bound form, ALA isn’t as easy to utilize. The supplemental form of ALA is unbound or free lipoic acid, allowing for easier utilization.

Q: Free radicals, why do we need to fight them?

A: In everyday life, our body generates free radicals, especially in case of stress. These chemically unbalanced radicals damage cells by oxidizing them, in the same way as metal becomes rusty and destroyed. Hence, free radicals are dangerous and scientists believe the continuous exposure to free radicals is a major cause of ageing and many degenerative diseases.