Alpha Lipoic Acid: A Definition - ALA is a powerful antioxidant compound which has recently emerged as even more effective than other antioxidants due to its water and fat solubility and its ability to greatly potentiate the action of vitamin E and glutathione. ALA can be defined as an antioxidant compound which is synthesized in the body in extremely small amounts, although it must also be supplied from food or supplement sources to augment intrinsic suppleis. It is a vitamin like substance which contains sulphur and plays a vital role in energy reactions in mitochondrial electron transport. This function is intrinsically related to the metabolim of glucose into energy.

Why Alpha Lipoic Acid is Important  - Virtually each and every day, most of us are exposed to a number of toxic substances–auto exhaust, tobacco smoke, pollution, preservatives, and additives continually assault our biocellular systems. In addition, diseases like diabetes, increased cholesterol levels, and just the pitfall of aging increase our risk of developing degenerative disease. The aging process can actually be accelerated by the presence of free radicals. Consequently, premature tissue breakdown can occur resulting in all kinds of ailments. In addition, despite our best efforts, our environment will continue to surround us with potentially harmful pollutants which all contribute to the creation of free radicals.
    Certainly, there are several things we can do to minimize our health risks, including exercising, eating nutritiously, and not smoking. Unfortunately, these measures are rarely enough to substantially decrease our risk of certain degenerative diseases or of getting old before out time. While supplementing our diets with vitamins and minerals is strongly recommended, certain remarkable, natural substances such as lipoic acid that have recently come to the forefront of scientific research.

Free Radicals: Cellular Culprits - Free radicals are molecules containing unpaired electrons. Unpaired electrons often cause a molecule to become unstable. In order to stabilize, they steal electrons from stable molecules, thus assaulting and altering healthy molecules. Free radicals bind to cell structures, causing damage and genetic change. They can initiate biological changes which can result in the formation of tumors, wrinkling and organ failure. A free radical can destroy a protein, an enzyme, or even a complete cell. To make matters worse, free radicals can multiply through a chain-reaction mechanism resulting in the release of thousands of these cellular oxidants.  When this happens, cells can become so badly damaged that DNA codes can be altered and immunity can be compromised.

Why Free Radicals are Dangerous - Even the very act of breathing creates these reactive chemical structures. To make matters worse, because our generation, more that any other, is exposed to a number of potentially harmful environmental substances, free-radical formation can reach epidemic proportions. Some of the more dangerous substances containing free radicals include: cigarette smoke, pesticides, smog, car exhaust, x-rays, Ultra-violet light, gamma radiation,  rancid food, herbicides, certain prescription drugs, certain fats, some food/water, supplies, alcohol, stress and poor diet

Contact with a free radical or oxidant on this scale can create cellular deterioration, resulting in cancer and heart disease. Tissue breakdown from this "oxidative stress" can also occur which contributes to aging, arthritis and whole host of other degenerative conditions. "Through free radical reactions in our body, it's as though we're being irradiated at low levels all the time. They grind us down."

Unfortunately, because of the damage free radicals cause within our cellular structures, many of us will die prematurely from one of a wide variety of degenerative diseases. Free-radical damage has been associated with over 60 known diseases and disorders. Free radicals are responsible for a whole host of ills and ailments. If we could neutralize their damaging effects more effectively, we could immeasurably improve not only our longevity but the quality of our lives.

The Oxidative Downside of Exercise - As beneficial as it is, exercising can initiate the release of free radicals within our cellular systems. Aerobic exercising produces oxidation products. Many of these are not neutralized by our internal safety mechanisms and an overload can occur. Supplementing the diet with efficient antioxidants is highly recommended for everyone, but especially for those who exercise on a regular basis. ALA is particularly beneficial when it comes to the oxidation caused by exercise because it not only scavenges the oxidants left behind, it also helps to convert carbohydrates, fatty acids, and protein to ATP or energy needed to drive muscle movement.

The Power of Antioxidants - Potent substances called antioxidants scavenge for dangerous free radicals and so afford us the best prospect for disease prevention, toxin protection, and sustained longevity and vigor. According to many experts, making sure we arm our cellular systems with adequate supplies of antioxidants should be our first health priority.

"It has now been established that more than 60 Human diseases involve free-radical damage, including cancer, heart disease and the acceleration of the aging process. All that you really need to know is that your body is under constant free-radical attack, and that you need to keep your antioxidant defenses strong." Some of the most common free-radical scavengers or antioxidants include:

Vitamin E  -  Vitamin C  -  Vitamin A/beta carotene  - Co Q10  - Selenium

While all of these are excellent cellular protectants, ALA is commonly excluded from antioxidant lists and may well be the most extraordinary free-radical scavenger of all.