Glutathione is found in every cell of the human body.
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LIPOIC ACID IVs in Connecticut
What does lipoic acid do for the body?
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is an antioxidant which has been used for its possible benefits in stabilizing blood sugar levels, to treat neurodegenerative conditions, reduce inflammation and for its beneficial cardiovascular and other effects.
A Powerful Antioxidant
Antioxidants are substances that attack “free radicals” Free radicals in the body and play a part in the biochemical reactions that damage cells and body tissues. They damage our organs, reducing their health and functioning.
Most antioxidants are either water soluble (such as vitamin C) or fat soluble (such as vitamin E). Alpha-lipoic acid is both fat- and water- soluble, which means that it can work throughout the body tissues. As antioxidants become depleted in the body, being used up in their fight against free radicals, alpha-lipoic acid helps to regenerate these other antioxidants, making them active again. One example of this is its ability to recycle glutathione – another of the body’s essential antioxidants in its fight against free radicals.
ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID IV TREATMENTS HAVE MANY BENEFITS
- Reversal of oxidant damage associated with aging.
- Eliminates unwanted toxins and reduces their toxic effects
- Restoration of other antioxidant levels.
- Reduction in blood sugar levels.
- Symptom improvement in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
- Slows cell damage caused by free radicals.
Help With Diabetes and Diabetic Neuropathy
Alpha-lipoic acid may lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
And alpha-Lipoic Acid may also to help reduce the pain, burning, itching, tingling, and numbness associated with peripheral neuropathy, a very common and difficult to treat complication of Diabetes.
The complications of diabetes fall into both categories: macrovascular and microvascular. Neuropathy, kidney damage, and retinopathy, are known microvascular complications, and the development of neuropathy is closely related to the severity and duration of poorly controlled diabetes. [105]. Diabetic neuropathy has been long recognized as a major cause of both morbidity and mortality in diabetics [106].
Beneficial effects of ALA on diabetes-associated neuropathy have been demonstrated by many clinical trials. In one multicenter study by Ziegler et al. [107], ALA was shown to be effective against mild-to-moderate diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN). The treatment of diabetic patients with mild-to-moderate DSPN treated with 600 mg of ALA per day orally, measurably improved the condition. This trial showed that ALA might have the potential to prevent neuropathic impairments and slow progression with regular long-term administration. Here too, long term administration has been demonstrated to be safe and without side effects.
Other Conditions
Cardiovascular Disease
Oxidative stress and inflammation promoting influences give rise to hydroxyl radicals, peroxides, and superoxides inside the inner lining of blood vessels, which accelerates the progression of cardiovascular disease. Alpha lipoic acid has blood lipid modulating characteristics, protecting against LDL oxidation (which promotes plaque formation), and favorably modulating high blood pressure. Thus, administering α-lipoic acid as a protective agent may slow down the development of cardiovascular disease complications. (Wollin and Jones 2003). It has been documented that the incidence of cardiovascular diseases decreases as the dietary intake of α-lipoic acid increases.
Inflammatory Diseases
Alpha-lipoic acid is synthesized inside the human body working as an antioxidant, safeguarding the body cells from injury, and helping restore other antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C (Moura et al.) 2021. It also may inhibit the inflammation which is linked to carcinogenesis (Moon 2016). Administration of α-Lipoic acid may reduce the inflammatory markers of heart disease, for which oxidative stress is thought to be a significant factor. Oxidative stress increases during the aging process, resulting in enhanced Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and diminished antioxidant protection. Aging is also related to oxidative stress, which in turn leads to hastened cellular death and organ dysfunction. Antioxidants may assist in reducing the incidence of some of the pathologies of heart disease (Wollin and Jones 2003). It has been found that α-lipoic acid can protect the liver from inflammatory disorders as well. ALA may help reduce the blood levels of several inflammatory markers, such as IL-6 (Liu et al. 2015). The recommended dosage for α-lipoic acid was found to be 300–600 mg daily with no side effects seen after long term supplementation.(Liu et al. 2015).
Neuroprotective Effects for Neurodegenerative Disease
Free radical induced damage plays a role in secondary neuronal brain injury in stroke (Dwivedi 2019).The antioxidant properties of ALA are associated with its neurorestorative and neuroprotective effects. It has been shown that intravenous α-Lipoic acid administration provides neuroprotection by increasing neurogenesis and brain cell metabolism (Choi et al. 2013). ALA modulates the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
Several studies have found that combining α-lipoic acid and omega-3 fatty acids has a synergistic effect in slowing functional and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (Shinto et al. 2014).
In Parkinson’s disease oxidative stress is responsible for the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease. ALA acid may prove useful here, and in other neurodegenerative dis
Kidney-Related Disease
In the development of chronic kidney disease, metabolic changes occur leading to the production of free radicals that further the development of renal damage. The generation of lipid hydroperoxide results in oxidative damage in lipoproteins, cell membranes, and other lipid-containing structures (Girotti and Kriska 2004). Administration of α-lipoic acid (600 mg/day) with antioxidants such as α-tocopherol (Vitamin E) 300–1000 mg/day, and N-acetylcysteine (600–1200 mg/day) can help dialysis patients with elevated oxidative stress (Lim et al. 1999; Nazrul et al. 2000; Roob et al. 2000; Leehey et al. 2005).
The antioxidant activities of α-lipoic acid were shown to be more effective than N-acetylcysteine at reducing oxidative stress, including diabetic neuropathy and kidney tissue injury. ALA administration lead may lead to a reduction in measurable oxidative stress markers. In one study, patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease treated with α-lipoic acid had a significant improvement in metabolic and endothelial functions (Lai et al. 2020).
Intravenous Alpha Lipoic Acid has been recommended for:
- Degenerative Neurological Conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- Dementia
- Liver Disease
- Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction
- Neuropathy
- Cataracts
- Liver Disease
- Wilson’s disease
- POst Stroke- Cardiovascular Disease
- Intermittent Claudication
PROPER IV ADMINISTRATION
While you are receiving an Alpha Lipoic Acid IV infusion you will see that it isproperly protected from light by the IV bag being covered with an amber colored bag.
