A Powerful Natural Antioxidant for Health and Beauty

Overview of Potential Alpha Lipoic Acid Neurological Benefits

Alpha lipoic acid counteracts many of the elements and events that transform a brain's healthy state to a toxic environment. For example, alpha lipoic acid:

Table III.1. Alpha Lipoic Acid Effects in Neurological Diseases
CONDITION Anti-Inflammatory Natural Antioxidants or Reverses of Brain Growth Factors Quenches Free Radicals & Free Radical Damage Helps Regulate Immune System Protection from Toxins and/or Metal Chelation Effects Antidiabetic Activity Improves/Protects Mitochondria & Cell Function Helps Regulate & Improve Brain Chemical Levels
Alzheimer's Disease  (iii.34)  (iii.34)    (iii.34)    (iii.2)  (iii.34)  (iii.13)  (iii.34)
Autism  (iii.35)        (iii.35)      (iii.3)  
Bipolar Disorder (Mania)  (iii.35)  (iii.4)  (iii.4)  (iii.4)  (iii.35)        
Cerebral Ischemia
(Stroke)
   (iii.221)    (iii.21)    (iii.36)    (iii.21-22)  
Epilepsy        (iii.10)  (iii.10)        (iii.37)
Hearing Loss  (iii.38)  (iii.12)    (iii.12)    (iii.12)    (iii.30)  
Migraine        (iii.39)        (iii.39)  
Mitochondrial Disorders        (iii.3)        (iii.3)  
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)  (iii.2)  (iii.23)    (iii.15)  (iii.15)  (iii.15)      
Nerve Damage (including carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic and peripheral neuropathy, and sciatica)  (iii.7)  (iii.19)    (iii.7)    (iii.19)  (iii.15)  (iii.7)  
Parkinson's Disease  (iii.35)  (iii.40)    (iii.16)  (iii.35)  (iii.41)    (iii.1831)  
Schizophrenia  (iii.35)  (iii.1)    (iii.1)  (iii.35)      (iii.1)  
Vision Loss    (iii.42)    (iii.43)  (iii.43)  (iii.43)  (iii.43)  (iii.43)  
Alpha lipoic acid may help treat various neurological conditions.

Antioxidants Combination Therapy with Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid may be particularly beneficial when used along with other antioxidants and vitamins. When combined with conventional medicines, it may reduce side effects.

  • The beneficial neuron-protection from L-acetyl-carnitine may be enhanced when used with alpha lipoic acid for Parkinson's disease. (iii.44)
  • Alpha lipoic acid shows benefit when used with coenzyme Q10 and creatine to treat mitochondrial disorders (such as autism). (iii.2)
  • Dietary intake of alpha lipoic acid and vitamin E could help reduce damage from stroke, according to researchers. (iii.45)
  • Alpha lipoic acid increased survival time in a rat model of stroke by itself or in combination with superoxide dismutase(iii.46)
  • Pretreatment with alpha lipoic acid and resveratrol reduces the size of stroke lesions and the dosage of resveratrol needed. (iii.22)
  • Reduced weight gain from conventional schizophrenia medication(iii.47)
  • Works well with omega-3 fatty acids to slow the rate of decline in mild to moderately-impaired patients with Alzheimer's disease. (iii.48)

Alpha lipoic acid works with B vitamins to convert the food we eat to cell energy. In the brain, the combination of alpha lipoic acid, biotin, and other B-complex vitamins (e.g., folate, pantothenic acid, thiamine, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12) help deliver essential blood, glucose, and oxygen to the brain. (iii.18)

Vitamin B5

Clinical Evidence of Alpha Lipoic Acid's Healthy Brain Benefits

Although most research so far is preliminary, some clinical studies have been done with alpha lipoic acid alone or with other treatments. They indicate that alpha lipoic acid supplements can reduce symptoms and/or slow down the progression of neurological disease. Alpha lipoic acid also reduced unwanted side effects of psychiatric medications. Patients helped by alpha lipoic acid include those suffering from: (iii.16)

Table III.2: Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid Shown in Clinical Studies
Condition Alpha Lipoic Acid Benefit

Alzheimer's Disease

Cognitive and functional decline in several small clinical studies and a randomized controlled clinical trial. (iii.48-49)

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Painful symptoms. (iii.6)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Nerve function. (iii.7)

Painful symptoms. (iii.7)

Diabetic Neuropathy

Nerve function. (iii.2)

Symptoms. (iii.2)

Hearing Loss

Clinical Study

Evidence of ear damage associated with hearing loss when taken prior to noise exposure (600 mg/daily for 10 days). (iii.12)

Mitochondrial Disorders

Clinical Trial

Mitochondrial function. (iii.3)

Free radicals(iii.3)

Strength decline. (iii.3)

Alpha lipoic acid showed benefits when used along with CoQ10 and creatine monohydrated in the randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial. (iii.3)

Migraine

Clinical Study

Dosage used was 600 mg/day of alpha lipoic acid for 3 months, and results showed: (iii.50)

Frequency of migraine attack in the approximately 31% who responded to treatment.

Length of attack.

Headache severity.

Schizophrenia

Clinical Study

Alpha lipoic acid reduced weight gain from medication. (iii.47)

Recommended Alpha Lipoic Acid Dosage for Some Neurological Conditions

Experts in integrative medicine recommend the following doses of alpha lipoic acid for the following neurological conditions:

Vitamin B7.
Including protection against toxicity caused by excess urea in the blood of patients with chronic kidney disease. (iii.36)
Combined with coenzyme Q10 and creatine. (iii.3)
Protects against inflammation caused by viruses. (iii.35)
Helps regulate immune system response in brain cells caused by viruses. (iii.35)
Protects against inflammation caused by viruses. (iii.35)
Helps regulate immune system response in brain cells caused by viruses. (iii.35)
Helps protect against toxicity caused by excess urea in the blood of patients with chronic kidney disease. (iii.36)
Protective effects are found when alpha lipoic acid is administered or taken before a stroke, not after. (iii.21)
Combined with coenzyme Q10 and creatine. (iii.3)
Including increased velocity of nerve signal in compression injuries. (iii.7)
Protects against inflammation caused by viruses. (iii.35)
Helps regulate immune system response in brain cells caused by viruses. (iii.35)
Protected neurons involved in Parkinson's disease from a toxin that triggers a death-inducing enzyme and protein. (iii.41)
Protects against inflammation caused by viruses. (iii.35)
Helps regulate immune system response in brain cells caused by viruses. (iii.35)
Including protecting the retina from cigarette smoke. (iii.43)
As measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living test. (iii.48)
Vitamin B9
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