Bigmurph6
Banned
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
syn.
Thioctic acid
syn. 2-dithiolane-3 penatanoic acid
PERFORMANCE VALIDATION SCORES
Combined 7
Clinical Support Rating 3
Empirical Evidence Rating 4
Description
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a sulfur containing vita-
min-like antioxidant. It is obtained in the diet from a number of sources, including yeast, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and meat. The body can readily synthesize ALA as well, which means that it is not considered an essential nutrient. This also excludes any classification as a vitamin, even though it possesses some similarity to the B-complex family. Alpha-lipoic exerts a number of key biological activities that can support optimal metabolism. Its supplementation is commonly used for the support of numerous medical conditions including type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, reduced cognitive function, heavy metal toxicity, and liver poisoning. Alpha-lipoic acid supplements are also used to support exercise, particularly energy and nutrient partitioning.
The mechanism of action for alpha-lipoic acid begins with its powerful antioxidant properties." ALA is both a water- and fat-soluble substance. This allows it to act as a universal antioxidant, neutralizing free radical products of metabolism in both watery and fatty areas of cells (such as cell fluids and membranes). In contrast, the antioxidant vitamins C & E are only
water and oil soluble (respectively), which limits their regions of activity. ALA may also protect these two antioxidant vitamins from metabolism, enhancing their activates. The antioxidant properties of alpha-lipoic acid may be additionally strengthened due to its own resistance to deactivation, as a primary
metabolite of ALA (dyhydrolipoic acid, DHLA) also appears to have strong antioxidant activity.
Alpha-lipoic acid also exerts a strong influence over blood glucose management, although its exact mode of action in this process is not fully understood. Studies show that this nutrient can increase the sensitivity of skeletal muscle cells to the hormone insulin, responsible for stimulating the uptake of glucose into cells. This occurs, at least in part, via an increase in insulin receptor protein content. By increasing insulin sensitivity, the body is better able to drive nutrients into muscle cells, and away from storage in adipose (fat) cells, which is typically increased with insulin resistance and diabetes. Alpha-lipoic acid also appears to increase glucose uptake via insulin-independent mechanisms.
With regard to energy metabolism, alpha-lipoic acid has a number of key activities important to the functioning of cell mitochondria, the principle sites of cellular energy production. To begin with, ALA is a cofactor in several mitochondrial enzyme complexes. Among other things, it plays a key role in the citric acid (Krebs cycle, which involves the oxidation of protes, hots, and carbohydrates to produce adenosine iphosphate (ATP). the principle fuel for cells
Studies also suggest that alpha lipole neid is able to protect the mitochondria from lipid peroxidation damage, and enhance electron transport chain complex (ETC) activities. These effects, combined with an increase in glucose uptake, may result in an in crease in overall energy storage in muscle cells.
It is important to note that alpha-lipoic acid exists in two enantiomer forms, an R isomer (R-ALA) and an Sisomer (S-ALA). Supplement forms of ALA either come as pure R-ALA, or a mixture of both isomers.
Studies suggest that R-ALA is both better absorbed than S-ALA. and is also more biologically active. With regard to insulin sensitivity, the S-isomer may even induce resistance to this hormone, countering some of the beneficial effects of R-ALA. While a majority of clinical studies on alpha lipoic acid have involved the use of a mixture of both isomers, R-ALA is generally resupplementation purposes.
If the metabolic effects of alpha-lipoic acid are consistently carried over into healthy exercise-experienced individuals, this nutrient may offer tangible ergogenic value. Of particular interest to bodybuilders and other resistance-trained athletes may be a positive nutrient partitioning effect, which could help support lean muscle gains and reduce fat retention. This nutrient might also be of interest to a wider range of athletes for its positive effects on energy metabolism and muscle endurance. While empirical evidence does support the use of ALA for certain performance-enhancement purposes, this nutrient has not been extensively studied in a clinical setting for such use. Its potential ergogenic properties remain speculative.
syn.
Thioctic acid
syn. 2-dithiolane-3 penatanoic acid
PERFORMANCE VALIDATION SCORES
Combined 7
Clinical Support Rating 3
Empirical Evidence Rating 4
Description
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a sulfur containing vita-
min-like antioxidant. It is obtained in the diet from a number of sources, including yeast, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and meat. The body can readily synthesize ALA as well, which means that it is not considered an essential nutrient. This also excludes any classification as a vitamin, even though it possesses some similarity to the B-complex family. Alpha-lipoic exerts a number of key biological activities that can support optimal metabolism. Its supplementation is commonly used for the support of numerous medical conditions including type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, reduced cognitive function, heavy metal toxicity, and liver poisoning. Alpha-lipoic acid supplements are also used to support exercise, particularly energy and nutrient partitioning.
The mechanism of action for alpha-lipoic acid begins with its powerful antioxidant properties." ALA is both a water- and fat-soluble substance. This allows it to act as a universal antioxidant, neutralizing free radical products of metabolism in both watery and fatty areas of cells (such as cell fluids and membranes). In contrast, the antioxidant vitamins C & E are only
water and oil soluble (respectively), which limits their regions of activity. ALA may also protect these two antioxidant vitamins from metabolism, enhancing their activates. The antioxidant properties of alpha-lipoic acid may be additionally strengthened due to its own resistance to deactivation, as a primary
metabolite of ALA (dyhydrolipoic acid, DHLA) also appears to have strong antioxidant activity.
Alpha-lipoic acid also exerts a strong influence over blood glucose management, although its exact mode of action in this process is not fully understood. Studies show that this nutrient can increase the sensitivity of skeletal muscle cells to the hormone insulin, responsible for stimulating the uptake of glucose into cells. This occurs, at least in part, via an increase in insulin receptor protein content. By increasing insulin sensitivity, the body is better able to drive nutrients into muscle cells, and away from storage in adipose (fat) cells, which is typically increased with insulin resistance and diabetes. Alpha-lipoic acid also appears to increase glucose uptake via insulin-independent mechanisms.
With regard to energy metabolism, alpha-lipoic acid has a number of key activities important to the functioning of cell mitochondria, the principle sites of cellular energy production. To begin with, ALA is a cofactor in several mitochondrial enzyme complexes. Among other things, it plays a key role in the citric acid (Krebs cycle, which involves the oxidation of protes, hots, and carbohydrates to produce adenosine iphosphate (ATP). the principle fuel for cells
Studies also suggest that alpha lipole neid is able to protect the mitochondria from lipid peroxidation damage, and enhance electron transport chain complex (ETC) activities. These effects, combined with an increase in glucose uptake, may result in an in crease in overall energy storage in muscle cells.
It is important to note that alpha-lipoic acid exists in two enantiomer forms, an R isomer (R-ALA) and an Sisomer (S-ALA). Supplement forms of ALA either come as pure R-ALA, or a mixture of both isomers.
Studies suggest that R-ALA is both better absorbed than S-ALA. and is also more biologically active. With regard to insulin sensitivity, the S-isomer may even induce resistance to this hormone, countering some of the beneficial effects of R-ALA. While a majority of clinical studies on alpha lipoic acid have involved the use of a mixture of both isomers, R-ALA is generally resupplementation purposes.
If the metabolic effects of alpha-lipoic acid are consistently carried over into healthy exercise-experienced individuals, this nutrient may offer tangible ergogenic value. Of particular interest to bodybuilders and other resistance-trained athletes may be a positive nutrient partitioning effect, which could help support lean muscle gains and reduce fat retention. This nutrient might also be of interest to a wider range of athletes for its positive effects on energy metabolism and muscle endurance. While empirical evidence does support the use of ALA for certain performance-enhancement purposes, this nutrient has not been extensively studied in a clinical setting for such use. Its potential ergogenic properties remain speculative.
