Available in each cell of your body – just  like glutatione – alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that supports your cells work to convert glucose into energy.  Different from  antioxidants like Vitamin E which can only work in fat or vitamin C which only works in water , ALA functions or more correctly is soluable in both fat and water,  so it works anywhere in your body. Similar to other antioxidants, ALA works to remove free radicals – a.k.a. metabolic waste – from the cells before they are damaged by a build up of waste and toxins.  But, , Alpha lipoic Acid can help to regenerate other antioxidants once they have neutralized free radicals and through the regeneration process render them fit to continue to function as antioxidants again.

ALA is also used as an abbreviation for Alpha Linolenic Acid which is an omega-3 fatty acid, connected with heart health, but this is a different substance from Alpha lipoic acid – also referred to as Lipoic Acid.

Several research studies have indicated that ALA may help to reduce levels of blood sugar and combined with it’s antioxidant properties, ALA could aid  people suffering from diabetic peripheral neuropathy, relieving some of the discomfort and pain created by nerve damage.

Researchers also are looking at  alpha lipoic acid to measure its effectiveness against glaucoma although they are yet to collect enough data, but because it can pass easily to the brain, ALA might be useful as a protector against nerve and brain tissue damage. I’ts being studied as a potential  treatment for stroke and other brain problems with root causes based on free radical damage. Dementia is one such condition.

ALA is an ingredient in Cellgevity where it contributes to the regeneration of the network antioxidants and supports the glutathione network.