Alpha Lipoic Acid has numerous health benefits, which can help diabetics to live a more productive life. It is readily available, easy to take as a supplement, and comes with few health risks. Within this guide, we’ll discuss alpha lipoic acid and its benefits for diabetics.
First, you should have a better understanding of this acid. Lipoic acid, often referred to as a-lipoic acid or alpha lipoic acid, (an organosulfur compound) comes from the octanoic acid. Primarily found in animals, this compound plays a vital role in aerobic metabolism. Today, numerous companies manufacturer the compound and put it in various dietary supplements, often marketing it as an antioxidant. However, it may also be available as a pharmaceutical drug in some countries.
Although not considered a diabetes medication, many believe that the compound can help diabetics deal with their health problems and improve their symptoms.
Top 7 Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid
1. Provides Relief from Neuropathy
Neuropathy, a very common condition with diabetics, occurs when the body’s nerves have been damaged. Depending on the severity of the problem, the condition will become painful. Many believe that neuropathy occurs when the blood sugar levels have been too high for too long. When suffering from this condition, the patient will most likely experience pain, a burning sensation, numbness in the limbs, and tingling. The numbness may actually become permanent, if you’re not careful.
Many believe that ALA provides relief from these symptoms by lowering the blood glucose and preventing nerve damage, to avoid suffering from the dangerous side effects of neuropathy.
2. Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Many doctors now believe that alpha lipoic acid improves insulin resistance for diabetics, which could make a world of difference in the long run. The compound is capable of decreasing blood sugar levels, while also preventing resistance to insulin. Simultaneously, it is believed that these two actions will lead to a boost of energy. If you’re suffering from diabetes, ALA may be a good option for you. It won’t cure the diabetes, but it can help diminish the symptoms associated with the ailment.
3. Maintains Eye Health
Diabetics are undeniably at a higher risk for developing vision problems, which is another reason why they should consider taking supplements containing ALA. The oxidative stress associated with diabetes is capable of severely damaging the nerves and causing vision problems over a period of time. However, this compound prevents the eyes from being damaged by oxidative stress, and many believe that the compound reduces the risks of vision loss, retina damage, glaucoma, Wilson’s disease, and macular degeneration.
Long-term utilization of alpha lipoic acid helps to prevent oxidative damage. Whether you’re getting up there in age or you suffer from diabetes, you should definitely protect your eyesight by consuming ALA regularly.
4. Boosts Glutathione
The compound Glutathione, often referred to as the master antioxidant, is absolutely vital for your immunity and cellular health. It also plays an important role in keeping you healthy and many believe that consuming 300 to 1,200 milligrams of ALA can help to improve the glutathione’s performance. For instance, this compound helps glutathione fight off various diseases, including diabetes and insulin resistance. ALA may also be able to help combat HIV and AIDS to some degree.
5. Helps with Weight Loss
In today’s world, it’s hard to eat three, healthy meals a day with the fast-paced life that you live. It’s even harder to shed all that weight once you have put it on. However, with a calorie-restricted diet and the aid of lipoic acid supplements, you can greatly boost your chance of weight loss. In fact, if you just take lipoic acid, without dieting, you will boost your metabolism and improve your glucose levels. Basically, more sugars from the foods that you consume will be broken down and used as energy, rather than being stored as fat. In addition to this, the powerful supplement will curb your appetite, so you will want to eat less.
Several studies conducted involving obese women using the supplement showed significant results. Not only did the women lose a good amount of weight, but they also saw a decrease in their overall circumference.
6. Promotes Muscle Regeneration
Working out and exercising regularly can be extremely hard, and this is especially true if you are overdoing it and pushing yourself to the limit. Without the proper time for your muscles to recover, you put yourself at risk of burning out and losing energy. However, with the aid of alpha lipoic acid, you can speed up your muscle regeneration process, so that you can recover faster from your intense workout sessions and get back to the gym sooner. The anti-oxidative properties make this possible, because when you increase these in the body, it protects the fatty acids and DNA broken down from the exercising process.
A recent study showed that this proved true in both inactive men and those that regularly trained.
7. Reduces Inflammation
Abnormal inflammatory responses can result in certain diseases like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes. However, with the aid of alpha lipoic acid supplements, you may be able to reduce your chances of developing these diseases in the first place. This powerful supplement can even reduce inflammatory markers in individuals that have undergone organ transplants.
If your symptoms persist after trying a natural remedy, consult your healthcare professional.
Know of any other health benefits or uses for ALA? Share them in the comments section below!
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