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R-ALPHA LIPOIC ACID Product No. P01123

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural substance – a unique, vitamin-like antioxidant - found in certain foods, and also found naturally in the mitochondria in the human body. Alpha lipoic acid exists in two forms - R-alpha-lipoic acid and S-alpha-lipoic acid. These two forms contain the same number and composition of atoms, but have different arrangements of the atoms in their respective molecules.

Natural lipoic acid is R-alpha lipoic acid. Synthetic lipoic acid contains a 50/50 mixture of the two forms (S- and R-alpha lipoic acid). Studies with the mixture demonstrated beneficial effects in treating a number of diseases and conditions, although more recent research has shown that the R-alpha lipoic acid alone is far more effective than S-alpha lipoic acid, or the mixture.

Recently, pure R-alpha lipoic acid has become available as a nutritional supplement. It is regarded by many as a supreme antioxidant, and is unique in that it functions as both a fat and water-soluble antioxidant that can easily cross cell membranes. Therefore, it offers free radical protection to both interior and exterior cellular structures.

R-alpha lipoic acid acts as a potent anti-oxidant on its own, serves to regenerate other anti-oxidants like vitamin E, Vitamin C and glutathione, and increases the production of glutathione. Cellular glutathione levels are considered by many experts to be the single best predictor of how long an individual will live. The ability to increase glutathione production is so beneficial because glutathione is the most important water-soluble antioxidant and is an important free-radical de-activator. It also plays a vital role in protecting against cataract formation, enhancing immune function, preventing liver damage, slowing the initiation of cancers, and eliminating heavy metals. Glutathione is quickly depleted when the body experiences high levels of oxidative stress from causes such as illness, infection, medication, environmental toxins and surgery. Deficiency is associated with low protein intake, diabetes, liver disease, HIV infection, respiratory distress syndrome and cancer.

By increasing antioxidant activity in the body, r-alpha lipoic acid is also useful in treating tissue that has been injured by trauma or ischemia (ischemia is caused by low oxygen levels from blood clots, stroke, burns, sprains etc). Large amounts of free radicals are created in this damaged tissue, and treatment of this type of injury with anti-oxidants is thought to reduce the effects of the damage.

R-alpha lipoic acid has also been found to improve mitochondria function. The mitochondria are structures inside each individual cell that produce the energy that the cell needs to function. As the cells age, the activity of the mitochondria decreases, resulting in lower energy production, slower metabolism and and increased oxidative stress and damage. Clinical studies have demonstrated that supplementation with R-alpha lipoic acid improves mitochondria function, increases metabolic rate, and decreases oxidative damage. One study showed that ambulatory activity, a measure of general metabolic activity, was almost three times lower in subjects that did not receive R-alpha lipoic acid.

R-alpha lipoic acid acts as an anti-aging nutrient because of its anti-oxidant and anti-glycation properties. Glycation is the formation of chemical bonds between protein molecules and glucose. This process impairs the physiological function of those proteins, and contributes to the effects of aging and many disease processes, especially those associated with diabetes. These sugar-damaged proteins are referred to as advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs). AGEs increase with the length of hyperglycemia and are thought to be responsible for the kidney damage and advanced atherosclerosis seen in diabetes. Researchers have found that noncovalent binding of alpha-lipoic acid to albumin helped to protect proteins against glycation.

Because r-alpha lipoic acid acts as an anti-oxidant, anti-glycation agent, blood sugar normaliser, mitochondria activator and glutathione enhancer, perhaps the best use of r alpha lipoic acid is as a life extension nutrient. It. All of these effects counter the effects of aging, increase energy and enhance the quality of life.

In summary, R-Lipoic acid is the only form of lipoic acid that is;