Most nutraceutical consumers are well aware of the health benefits of alpha-lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid is a well-known remedy for many types of health issues. As a result, there has been rapid growth in alpha-lipoic acid supplement sales and this trend will likely continue during the next decade. The alpha-lipoic supplements market is currently valued at around $800 million, and it is projected to grow by over 6% per annum through 2027.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a natural antioxidant that may be obtained in both dietary and supplement forms. Alpha-lipoic acid can be found naturally in many types of foods, so alpha-lipoic acid supplements may be unnecessary for many people. Red meat, carrots, beets, leafy greens, broccoli, and potatoes are all excellent sources of alpha-lipoic acid. There are alpha-lipoic acid supplements available for those who do not consume enough alpha-lipoic acid in their diet. Various types of antioxidative nutraceutical products, including alpha-lipoic acid and omega 3, have been shown to protect the brain from oxidative damage and to be beneficial in treating some liver disorders. Moreover, alpha-lipoic acid can also help with diabetes, by reducing some of the symptoms, according to numerous studies.
Alpha-lipoic acid can also be used to treat obesity, high cholesterol, and other health disorders, although some of these additional applications aren’t fully backed by enough scientific data. After examining the numerous health benefits of alpha-lipoic acid, it is clear that alpha-lipoic acid supplements may be a worthwhile option for those who are not able to obtain enough alpha-lipoic acid naturally through their diet. Alpha-lipoic acid, combined with other types of nutraceutical products, may be able to help you combat the symptoms of many types of health issues.
Health Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid
The health benefits of alpha-lipoic acid are very extensive, although certain health claims need to be backed by more data. Moreover, other types of nutraceutical products may be better for certain health conditions, such as diabetes and depression. Some of the potential health benefits of alpha-lipoic acid are listed below.
Alpha Lipoic Acid and Weight Loss
Some studies have shown that the consumption of alpha-lipoic acid results in increased weight loss. However, research also shows that the weight loss recorded was very minimal based on numerous studies that used alpha-lipoic acid. A 2018 study found that those who used alpha-lipoic acid supplements lost an average of just 1.52 pounds. Therefore, alpha-lipoic acid may be able to help contribute to weight loss, though it should be combined with a healthy diet and other nutraceutical products for full effect. One idea could include consuming both alpha-lipoic acid and green tea to help boost your metabolism and lose weight faster.
Brain Health and Strokes
Oxidative stress occurs more frequently in individuals as they age, and in severe cases can even lead to health issues such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Individuals have been able to recognize the power that nutraceutical products, such as NR supplements and alpha-lipoic acid, have due to their anti-aging properties.
Alpha-lipoic acid may decrease the development of certain cognitive diseases according to some studies. Because diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers hypothesized that ALA’s effects on insulin resistance or blood sugar metabolism might be part of the reason. There is also some evidence that alpha-lipoic acid may be useful in preventing strokes, although there is currently research in this area.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid can Help with Diabetes
Alpha-lipoic acid can help with diabetes as well, according to several studies. According to some evidence, alpha-lipoic acid may assist the body in regulating blood sugar and improving cholesterol. Alpha-lipoic acid has also been found to help with diabetes-related nerve damage symptoms like numbness, discomfort, and paralysis. Alpha-lipoic acid could be used to help manage some of the symptoms of diabetes, although there is not enough evidence that it can be used alone to treat diabetes. However, alpha-lipoic acid can help with diabetes, and it could be useful for someone to improve their diet or take alpha-lipoic acid to reduce symptoms of diabetes. Other nutraceutical products, such as turmeric, for example, have also been shown to be useful.
Improving your Skin Health
In recent months, we have focused on numerous nutraceutical products, such as green tea and vitamin E for example, which can help to improve your skin health. It also turns out that alpha-lipoic acid can help to improve your skin health.
Alpha-lipoic acid also boosts levels of other antioxidants, including glutathione, which protect the skin from harm and may decrease the symptoms of aging when applied topically. Alpha-lipoic acid can benefit your skin in a variety of ways:
- It can reduce the onset of wrinkles
- It can clear out pores and help reduce breakouts in the future
- It can improve the tone of your skin
Notably, there are very few, if any, side effects associated with alpha-lipoic acid.
Beneficial to Liver Health
Numerous studies have also investigated whether alpha-lipoic acid can be used to improve liver health and to treat various liver diseases. One study noted that alpha-lipoic supplements could be used to help treat various types of liver diseases, including alcohol-induced liver damage. This is because alpha-lipoic acid is useful in cases where oxidative stress has resulted in physical damage to the body. This is a promising development given that nearly 2% of people in the United States suffer from some sort of liver disease. It is clear that alpha-lipoic acid, and other antioxidants, can play a role in improving your liver health in a wide variety of ways.
Other Health Benefits that are in Question
Many types of nutraceutical products offer a variety of health benefits due to their anti-inflammatory properties. These products can offer a plethora of health benefits, and some have even been speculated to be able to reduce symptoms associated with cancer and heart disease. Although some antioxidants have been shown to potentially have anti-cancer properties, there is currently no evidence that alpha-lipoic acid can be used to treat cancer. Some studies have also shown that alpha-lipoic acid may be able to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, alpha-lipoic acid seems to be a useful supplementation treatment for these health issues, although there is currently not enough consensus on the proper dosage and duration of use. The health benefits of alpha-lipoic acid may be greater than what we currently know at the moment.
Conclusion
Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring chemical molecule that has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Although your body produces a tiny quantity, it may also be found in many foods that people consume and supplements. There is some evidence to suggest that it helps with diabetes, skin aging, memory loss, heart health, and losing weight. For most people, dosages between 300 and 600 mg appear helpful and safe with minor adverse effects. Alpha-lipoic acid may even be able to help with more serious health issues, although more research is needed to verify this. Alpha-lipoic acid can also be used hand in hand with other nutraceutical products to help combat the symptoms of various health issues that you might have.
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