The Sugar Connection: Alpha Lipoic Acid Can Help Reduce the Higher Risk of Heart Disease in Diabetics

• Reduced HbA1c levels by more than 25% or reduced diabetic medications by half in a 3 of the 13 patients assigned to take alpha lipoic acid. ^(iv.112)

In an additional 5 of the 13 patients, alpha lipoic acid stabilized average glucose levels, despite changes in medication or adverse health events that typically raise them. ^(iv.112)

• Increased adiponectin, a beneficial hormone involved in metabolism. ^(iv.66-67)
• Reduced pro-inflammatory factors (such as TNF-α and hsCRP) that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. ^(iv.66)
• Decreased levels of pro-inflammatory growth factor VEGF. ^(iv.66)

One of the ways fenofibrate works is by activating PPAR-α protein that regulates genes involved in metabolizing sugars and fats. Studies show that alpha lipoic acid also activates PPAR-α. ^(iv.65-66)

• Improved function of left ventricle in the heart. ^(iv.46)
• Helped restore natural antioxidant levels. ^(iv.46)
• Decreased free radical stress. ^(iv.46)

Other clinical studies indicate that alpha lipoic acid combined with only vitamin E can improve cholesterol profile in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the results were not statistically significant. ^(iv.46)

Patients given alpha lipoic acid showed improved heart rate responses caused by nerve damage in the heart due to diabetes. In the randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial oral supplements significantly improved heart rate abnormalities. ^{(iv.85, 113)}

In patients who took alpha lipoic acid, it had the following statistically significant effects compared to placebo: ^(iv.47)

• Decreased waist size by 3%.
• Lowered total cholesterol levels by 11.2% over the 90 days.

Alpha lipoic acid also reduced average fasting blood sugar levels by almost 3%, but it did not reach statistical significance. In those who took alpha lipoic acid, BMI went down by 2.5%, which is not as much those who took vitamin E or the omega-3 fatty acid supplement. ^(iv.47)

Even though the omega-3 group lost 10.4% body weight (as measured by BMI), the alpha lipoic acid group lost a greater percentage in waist size. Some heart doctors say you should be more concerned about your waist size than BMI. That's because the circumference of your waist is a good indicator of belly fat, a higher risk factor for heart disease than BMI or body weight alone. Reducing waist size is also linked to reducing insulin resistance. ^{(iv.47, 114)}

• Suppressed formation of AGEs, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy and kidney damage. ^(iv.57)
• Increased levels of an anti-atherosclerosis enzyme. ^(iv.57)

• Lowered blood pressure. ^(iv.98)
• Decreased protein levels in urine. ^(iv.98)
• Improved blood vessel cell function. ^(iv.98)

Alpha lipoic acid significantly improved the effectiveness of quinapril, an ACE inhibitor. ^(iv.98)

• Inhibited free radicals. ^(iv.83)
• Reduced LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels moderately. ^(iv.83)
• Increased HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, especially in men with metabolic syndrome. ^(iv.83)

Free radicals contribute to the formation of AGE molecules, which increases the severity of heart disease and other complications in diabetics. They also cause nerve damage and impair heart rate, a serious and sometimes fatal condition in diabetics. ^(iv.58, 85)

• Improved blood flow in arteries, a sign of improved blood vessel functioning. ^(iv.116)
• Decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, which are markers of free radical damage. ^(iv.116)

Improvements in blood vessel function correlated with decreased signs of free radical damage. This suggesting alpha lipoic acid's antioxidant properties help protect against the negative effects of high blood sugar on arteries. ^(iv.116)