Lipoic Acid And Diabetes
To say type 2 diabetes (T2D) and related comorbidities stemming from chronic hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are epidemic is an understatement. In the industrialized world of the 21st Century, people who have healthy glucoregulation and insulin signaling are the exception, not the norm. A low-carb diet is one of the most powerful and effective non-pharmaceutical and non-surgical interventions for lowering blood sugar and insulin, and for decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress.
That being said, sometimes even when individuals change their diet and lifestyle habits, they still need some extra help. Chromium, magnesium, and inositol spring immediately to mind for being useful here. Beyond that, there are other nutrients that are especially beneficial for improving the downstream complications of T2D. To find one, all we have to do is go right to the beginning of the alphabet: alpha-lipoic acid.
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA, not to be confused with the omega-3 fat, alpha-linolenic acid) is a sulfur-containing compound that exhibits amphiphilic antioxidant properties. (It works in both aqueous and lipid environments—cytosol, plasma membranes, serum, and lipoproteins.) Lipoic acid is best known for its antioxidant capacity, but this molecule has also been shown to have potent effects on blood glucose control via improved insulin secretion and sensitivity. (This diagram offers a nice summary of ALA’s multiple influences.)
amphiphilic antioxidant properties(This diagram offers a nice summary of ALA’s multiple influences.)
Humans synthesize small amounts of ALA, so it’s not an essential nutrient, although it was once classified as a vitamin before it was known that humans do produce some endogenously. (The precursor is octanoic acid, or C:8, caprylic acid.) However, even though we do generate ALA, as is true for so many nutrients, certain patient populations may benefit from higher amounts than they produce, and amounts higher than they would typically get from food. The richest dietary sources of ALA are mammalian proteins with high metabolic activity, such as heart, liver, and kidney—not exactly regular features on dinner tables in North America. Plant foods also contain ALA, but in much smaller amounts. In order to get pharmacological benefits from ALA, a pharmacological dose would be more appropriate.
Higher doses—orders of magnitude greater than that which is endogenously produced or available in food—have been shown to be safe in animal studies. The no-observed-adverse-effect level is considered to be 60 mg/kg of bodyweight per day, and studies using oral ALA for diabetic neuropathy at doses as high as 1,800 mg/day for six months and 1,200 mg/day for two years did not result in serious adverse effects.
60 mg/kg of bodyweight per day1,800 mg/day for six months1,200 mg/day for two years
Regarding diabetes, studies demonstrate that lipoic acid aids in glucoregulation by facilitating proper functioning of the insulin receptor and recruitment of insulin-sensitive and insulin-independent glucose transporters (GLUT-4 and GLUT-1, respectively) to muscle and adipose cell membranes. These seem to be the main mechanisms by which ALA increases glucose disposal. Its effects on glucose transporters led researchers to say that ALA has “insulin mimetic” activity. And considering that many type 2 diabetics are actually already hyperinsulinemic, it might be helpful to have a compound that has a glucose-lowering activity without adding more insulin to the fire.
facilitating proper functioning of the insulin receptor recruitment of insulin-sensitive and insulin-independent glucose transporters These seem to be the main mechanisms by which ALA increases glucose disposal ALA has “insulin mimetic” activity
The benefits of ALA for diabetic complications are so well-regarded that ALA is available as a prescription “drug” for neuropathy in Germany. Reviews and meta-analyses support the impressive efficacy of ALA for neuropathy. Beyond neuropathy, diabetics often have compromised energy generation, resulting in fatigue. ALA is “an essential cofactor for several mitochondrial enzyme complexes that catalyze critical reactions related to energy production and the catabolism (breakdown) of α-keto acids and amino acids.” Another common comorbidity of T2D is compromised vascular function. A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial showed that compared to placebo, 600 mg/day of intravenous ALA for 21 days improved endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in T2 diabetics. ALA has also been shown to improve nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation in diabetic patients.
Reviewsmeta-analysesimproved endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in T2 diabeticsimprove nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation in diabetic patients
Researchers looking at ALA for vascular function have hypothesized that ALA helps by reducing oxidative stress, “particularly in patients with imbalance between increased oxidative stress and depleted antioxidant defense.” This is a plausible mechanism. ALA is also called thiocitic acid, which advertises its sulfur content. It has been called an “antioxidant of antioxidants.” In its reduced form (dihydrolipoic acid, DHLA), it serves to recycle vitamins E and C, coenzyme Q10 and glutathione. Coupled together, oxidized and reduced lipoic acid have a greater redox potential than oxidized and reduced glutathione, leading some researchers to refer to lipoic acid as a “universal antioxidant.” This being the case, it’s hard to imagine a tissue system ALA wouldn’t have a beneficial impact on.
“particularly in patients with imbalance between increased oxidative stress and depleted antioxidant defense.”“antioxidant of antioxidants.”it serves to recycle vitamins E and C, coenzyme Q10 and glutathione
Owing to its potential insulin-mediated glucose-lowering effects, patients adding ALA to a regimen that includes insulin should be monitored closely to ensure healthy blood glucose levels.
Lipoic Acid Supreme
This very powerful supplement contains 300 mg of lipoic acid, along with 4 mg of pure biotin and 500 mg of taurine. Taurine and biotin play important roles in maintaining healthy insulin function.
Original article by Designs For Health