Lipoic acid; great for insulin sensitivity!
Lipoic acid is an important fat and water soluble, intracellular antioxidant, critical for protection against free radical damage.
Lipoic acid is thought to protect the structure and hence the function, of the cell membrane insulin receptors, and thus helps with insulin response. In type 2 diabetes mellitus it is the communication between the insulin molecule, and the insulin receptor that is the characteristic downfall of the disease. Without effective communication, glucose is not effectively moved from the blood stream, into the cells and to its target area. This has great significance to energy metabolism in general, chronic fatigue disorders, diabetes and weight.
Several studies have investigated and shown the beneficial role of lipoic acid for the prevention of diabetes, control of diabetes and the reduction and control of the complications that can come with long term diabetes(1-7).
You don’t have to be diabetic to use Lipoic Acid.
Lipoic acid has also been used for:
- Cholesterol
- Memory concerns
- Eye health
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Immune stimulation
- Metabolism
- Peripheral neuropathy
Speak to one of our Naturopaths to see if lipoic acid is right for you.
References:
- Konrad T, Vicini P, Kusterer K, Hoflich A, Assadkhani A, Bohles HJ, et al. alpha-Lipoic acid treatment decreases serum lactate and pyruvate concentrations and improves glucose effectiveness in lean and obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes care. 1999;22(2):280-7.
- Jacob S, Henriksen EJ, Schiemann AL, Simon I, Clancy DE, Tritschler HJ, et al. Enhancement of glucose disposal in patients with type 2 diabetes by alpha-lipoic acid. Arzneimittel-Forschung. 1995;45(8):872-4.
- Jacob S, Henriksen EJ, Tritschler HJ, Augustin HJ, Dietze GJ. Improvement of insulin-stimulated glucose-disposal in type 2 diabetes after repeated parenteral administration of thioctic acid. Experimental and clinical endocrinology & diabetes : official journal, German Society of Endocrinology [and] German Diabetes Association. 1996;104(3):284-8.
- Jacob S, Rett K, Henriksen EJ, Haring HU. Thioctic acid–effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose-metabolism. BioFactors (Oxford, England). 1999;10(2-3):169-74.
- Evans JL, Heymann CJ, Goldfine ID, Gavin LA. Pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and fructosamine-lowering effect of a novel, controlled-release formulation of alpha-lipoic acid. Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. 2002;8(1):29-35.
- Kamenova P. Improvement of insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid. Hormones (Athens, Greece). 2006;5(4):251-8.
- Dworacka M, Iskakova S, Krzyzagorska E, Wesolowska A, Kurmambayev Y, Dworacki G. Alpha-lipoic acid modifies circulating angiogenic factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes research and clinical practice. 2015;107(2):273-9.
About The Author - Samantha Mainland
Samantha is a highly educated Naturopath having graduated from both Southern Cross University with a Bachelor of Naturopathy, and University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Medicine Management with Professional Honours in Complementary Medicine.