Lipoic Acid and Anti-Aging

Lipoic acid and anti-aging go hand in hand as recently brought to the forefront in the August 2011 issue of Life Extension magazine. Diseases like obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and better brain function are among some of the conditions that can all be improved with regular use of lipoic acid. Mostly because of its ability to prevent mitochondrial decay, and therefore the aging process.

What is Mitochondria?

In short, the mitochondria are a portion of numerous cells in our body which creates our energy. The energy generated from the individual mitochondria is what creates the energy for cell division and therefore endless body functions of all types. If the mitochondria is kept youthful with antioxidants that prevent DNA damage, like lipoic acid the result will be less free radical damage leading to better mitochondrial function and energy output.

Lipoic Acid and Cell Preservation

In the Life Extension article, lipoic acid is referred to as a co-factor to enzymatic responses occurring in each cell. This action assists in optimizing the conversion of energy within the individual cells.

Lipoic Acid and Cell Degeneration

Researchers have found that lipoic acid augments the effects of insulin, consequently lowering blood sugar levels, benefitting those with diabetes or prediabetic conditions. The best part is that as a result of this process another process of advanced glycation end products, something that leads to the acceleration of cardiovascular disease is stunted.

Lipoic Acid and Cardiovascular Disease

The protection of the endothelium that lipoic acid provides is what makes alpha lipoic acid such a strong antioxidant in the fight against cardiovascular disease. This is because the protection of the delicate endothelial tissue just one cell in thickness provided by lipoic acid is in play. With this protection improved blood vessel relaxation helps to keep blood pressure normal with a normal blood flow as well.

Lipoic Acid and Obesity

Decreased weight gain is another benefit of alpha lipoic acid. This happens due to it's impact on brain function in reducing the appetite. Increased energy generation is also part of this process by burning more calories from activatin cellular energy signaling responses.

Lipoic Acid and Diabetes Control

Due to enormous amounts of inflammation caused by diabetes, lipoic acid plays a vital role in the inhibiting factors that cause this disease from the start, simply because of it's protectiveness to the endothelial tissue that we spoke of earlier. As you may know, diabetes creates quite a bit of tissue damage, but because of lipoic acid's ability to shelter the fragile endothelium, much of this process becomes thwarted.