Anti-Aging Benefits of Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid, in it’s various forms has, at the time of writing, 1383 clinical studies published on it, so it’ benefits as outlined below are well established in spite of not being well-known by the public.  There are three kinds of alpha lipoic acids sold in North America today.

Form #1

Is the relatively inexpensive ALA which you are getting 9 times out of 10.  The raw material cost is about $106 per kg.  With this version, the health-promoting, anti-aging benefits associated with this nutrient are only being delivered by half of your supplement.

Unless they specify otherwise, lipoic acid supplements are a 50/50 mixture of the natural R lipoic acid, and the synthetic S lipoic acid.  These mixtures are called "racemates."  In some cases, S (-) lipoic acid is simply less effective than R (+) lipoic acid. But in other cases, the S form actually acts in opposition to the activity of R lipoic acid.

Form #2

So, some smart scientists figured out a way to isolate just the natural R+ form.  It outperformed the regular form enormously in several clinical tests and it sells for $440 per kg.  Only trouble is, it is unstable at room temperature.  We contacted both manufacturers of this product and they both stressed that it must be refrigerated or it will deteriorate rapidly.  If you search the web as we have, you will see many unscrupulous companies (some very large ones too) selling this product with no warning about keeping it cool!

Form #3

There is only one manufacturer in the world right now who has found a way to stabilize the R form of Alpha Lipoic Acid.  They use Potassium (symbol "K") so they call it K-RALA.  It sells for an unheard of $800 per kg, and we predict it will take the market by storm (no we don't have shares in this company, but wish we did).  Obviously, this is the form of Alpha Lipoic Acid we have chosen for the Sink.

Nearly all researchers agree that the decay of mitochondrial function is a major engine in the biology of the aging process.  Caloric restriction, with adequate nutrition, is the only proven way to slow down the fundamental aging process in mammals.  Many of the benefits of R+ lipoic acid closely mimic those of caloric restriction.

A study in a short-lived strain of mouse demonstrated that R+ lipoic acid can dramatically increase its lifespan.  The National Institutes on Aging are currently funding studies to see if R+ lipoic acid can truly slow down the aging process in humans as it has in mice.

Mitochondrial Function

If you think back to high school biology you will recall the mitochondria is the energy storehouse of your cells.  It also happens to be the largest source of free radicals in your body.  The mitochondria is both the origin, and the target, of most of the free radical damage in the body.  As we age, our mitochondria become less efficient, generating less energy while creating more free radicals.  Perhaps you have experienced a little less energy than in past years?  Well there's good news.

In animal experiments and test-tube studies, R+ lipoic acid made mitochondria more efficient so that they produce more energy and create fewer free radicals.  Age-associated damage to mitochondrial structure is significantly reduced.  These benefits have a real impact on the organism.  Animals that have undergone a simulated heart attack recover heart function more rapidly when infused with R+ lipoic acid. Animals who receive R+ lipoic acid supplements look better and are more active.

Glucose Metabolism

Insulin resistance happens to some degree in almost all of us as we age.  Insulin resistance may cause threats to our health such as increasing blood sugar levels, insulin levels, and free fatty acids levels. Lipoic acid has been used to support healthy blood sugar metabolism.

Antioxidant Defenses

Lipoic acid is known as a powerful and versatile antioxidant.

Neurological Health

Lipoic acid is known for its ability to protect brain and nerve cells from free radicals and toxins.  Excessive levels of transition metals such as iron, copper, and cadmium are believed to play an important role in many neurological disorders.  For example, having too much free iron in the brain has been implicated as a cause of Parkinson’s disease.

R+ lipoic acid supplements partially reverse the age-associated loss of spatial and temporal memory seen in aging animals

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