Alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA. | Herbal Remedies for Diabetes

“If I had only one nutrient to take, it would have to be Lipoic Acid.” – James Roberts, MD, FACC.

Overview

Alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA, is a naturally occurring compound throughout the animal kingdom. Marketed in many countries as an antioxidant, it is sold in Japan as an anti-obesity agent and in Germany by prescription for complications from diabetes such as neuropathy, a painful nerve condition.

What is Alpha-lipoic acid?

ALA is an antioxidant, which is vitamin-like chemical that mops up free radicals that cause cellular damage. ALA also regenerates glutathione, another important antioxidant whose production declines as we age.

What are the known benefits?

According to The Four-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss, it can be summed up this way: It helps you to store the carbohydrates you eat in your liver or muscles as opposed to fat cells.

According to this 2015 study, ALA significantly improved body weight and fasting blood glucose levels in diabetes-induced rats.

This older study, from 1999, confirms increased insulin sensitivity in diabetics who take ALA.

This study, also from 1999, confirms glucose effectiveness in lean and obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Any other potential benefits?

It may suppress appetite in humans. This 2009 study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756298/ investigates the use of ALA for vascular disease, hypertension and inflammation.

What is the scientific mechanism at play?

GLUT-4 glucose transportation to muscle membranes rather than fat storage.

Conclusion

Is ALA a natural cure for diabetes, metabolic syndrome or pre-diabetes? Are you getting the best formulation? Read reviews and click here to learn more about ALA powders and supplements for sale.

References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756298/ Alpha-lipoic acid as a dietary supplement: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10468203?dopt=Abstract Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled pilot trial.

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/22/2/280.abstract?ijkey=eb21053eda794a0cbdb50a6780d15449718c4ed8&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

alpha-Lipoic acid treatment decreases serum lactate and pyruvate concentrations and improves glucose effectiveness in lean and obese patients with type 2 diabetes.