Article: Alpha-lipoic acid.(Monograph)

Introduction

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA--also known as thioctic acid) was discovered in 1951 as a molecule that assists in acyl-group transfer and as a coenzyme in the Krebs cycle. In the 1980s, the scientific community realized alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant. Several qualities distinguish alpha-lipoic acid from other antioxidants: ALA can be synthesized by animals and humans; (1) it neutralizes free radicals in both the fatty and watery regions of cells, in contrast to vitamin C (water soluble) and vitamin E (fat soluble); and, ALA functions as an antioxidant in both its reduced and oxidized forms. (2)

Pharmacokinetics

ALA appears to ...

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