Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a virtually unknown nutrient. It is a naturally occurring thiol antioxidant, or simply stated, a sulfur containing chemical produced in plants and animals.1,2 It has been shown to have a remarkable ability to regenerate other major anti-oxidants and protect the body from oxidative stress. Research has also shown that it has the potential to outperform chemotherapy in its ability to reduce cancer cell formation; with little to no side-effects or collateral damage.
Alpha lipoic acid is found in food and many alternative health doctors use higher dose supplemental form to help those with diabetes, neurodegenerative conditions, auto-immune diseases, cancer, and heart disease. Alpha lipoic acid in supplemental form is also used to improve human performance in otherwise healthy individuals.
Where Do We Find Alpha Lipoic Acid?
Alpha lipoic acid is available from the following dietary sources:2, 3, 4
- Fruits & Vegetables: Green leafy vegetables including spinach and broccoli are some of the highest sources of ALA. Other sources are tomatoes and potatoes.
- Organ Meat: Kidney, heart, and liver (from grass-fed animals is recommended).
- Supplement: Supplement dosage size can range from 50-600mg/day depending on the desired therapeutic effect you wish to achieve. As with any dietary supplement, you should speak with your health care provider to learn if ALA dietary supplementation is right for you.
Foods with high concentrations of thiol can also be incorporated into the diet to promote the body’s natural ability to produce ALA.
Examples of foods high in cancer fighting thiols are:
- Asparagus
- Bok choy
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Chives
- Leeks
- Peas
- Onions
- Sauerkraut
- Eggs
- Garlic
- Shallots
Antioxidants Are Essential for Health
The average Western diet is depleted of basic nutrients that our bodies require to not only sustain health but ensure both physical and psychological well-being.
Antioxidants are not merely recommended for healthy living but rather are absolutely essential. Antioxidants are one of the body’s defense mechanisms designed to protect cells from the burden of oxidative stress. Hence the word can be broken down into anti-oxidants. Think of other words such as anti-aging, antibacterial, and antidepressant. Can you think of anyone who actually wants signs of aging or who desires oxidative stress?
Antioxidants are one of the body’s defense mechanisms designed to protect cells from the burden of oxidative stress. A study performed on patients with Down syndrome concluded that a high antioxidant diet consumed over a 2 year period had a significant improvement on the patients’ cognitive abilities.5
The primary defense strategy of antioxidants is to neutralize free forms of oxygen known as free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS). Free radicals are lonely atoms that will do anything for a partner including stealing other atoms from their already tight knit relationships. As a result these highly reactive atoms create cellular damage and disturb biochemical processes necessary for maintaining health.6
Alpha lipoic acid can be broken down in the body into a form known as dihydrolipoic acid. Both forms of ALA act as potent antioxidants for biological reactions taking place in the mitochondria of our cells. Often referred to as the powerhouse of our cells for their role in generating energy, a deficiency in ALA has been associated with various chronic disorders and different types of cancer.
Alpha Lipoic Acid Has Anti-Cancer Properties
The potential for ALA to treat chronic disease includes various types of cancers. Researchers propose that ALA may benefit individuals with leukemia, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and possibly breast cancer.4,7
Combined with its numerous antioxidant capabilities, ALA has been show to inhibit cell proliferation as well as apoptosis (programmed cell death) in healthy cells.7 On the contrary, ALA may actually promote the destruction of cancerous cells.
Alpha Lipoic Acid Increases Oxygen Production Within Cancer Cells
A 2005 study showed that ALA increased the mitochondrial respiration within colon cancer cells.8 This is significant because cancer cells are known to have mitochondrial dysfunction and an inability to produce oxygen through aerobic respiration.
Oxygen is the nemesis of cancer cells which are characterized as anaerobic or living without oxygen. ALA was shown to increase oxygen production within the cancer cell. The increased oxygen induced the apoptosis genetic mechanism and killed the mutated cells.
Alpha Lipoic Acid Versus Chemotherapy
Conventional cancer therapy treatment today involves processes that further increase DNA damage and create free radicals. Mitomycin C is a chemotherapy drug and antibiotic that is very efficient at causing cellular damage and depleting available antioxidant sources. Radiation treatment damages cells and is also responsible for initiating the growth of secondary tumors.4, 9
Alpha lipoic acid works against cancer by improving mitochondrial respiration and protects against DNA damage that causes cancer cell production.10 It prevents against metastatic cancer spread by reducing the activity of key enzymes that are used by tumors to invade tissues. It also reduces angiogenesis or the growth of new blood supply for cancer cells.11
If you happen to be taking chemotherapy, lipoic acid protects against many of the side effects by protecting normal cells from the free radical stress and inflammation caused by the chemotherapy. In particular, ALA protects against chemo-induced neuropathy and intestinal damage and diarrhea.12
ALA increases the availability of antioxidants to cells, reduces cellular damage, promotes health, and targets cancer cells and cancer promoting factors for destruction. Which form of treatment seems the best therapy to save lives?
How to Choose Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplements
Look for a high quality lipoic acid from a company that is known for research and quality. The most bioactive form is R-lipoic acid. You want to take this supplement with food, and in particular fat, in order to maximize absorption.
Most functional nutritionists will start their clients with dosages ranging from 100mg to 600mg daily. Some individuals have SUOX and CBS gene mutations that are actively expressed and limit their ability to tolerate sulfur compounds. These individuals may struggle with ALA supplementation. This is not a common issue and research has shown that most individuals do very well with ALA supplementation.
If you have trouble with detoxification than it is best to start with lower dosages (50-100 mg) and see how you tolerate it and then gradually work your dosage up by increasing 50mg per week until you get to the desired level that you and your health coach have agreed upon.
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Interesting that Pot contains LOADS of the Stuff… That is why it is prohibitted by the u.s. government… they GOTTA protct big pharma at all cost… be it Human life or whatever else…
Interesting that Pot contains LOADS of the Stuff… That is why it is prohibitted by the u.s. government… they GOTTA protct big pharma at all cost… be it Human life or whatever else…
Alpha Lipoic Acid is just one of the incredible ingredients in Plexus Slim. My husband is currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer and has remained on the Plexus products through-out his treatment. We know the tumor has shrank “a lot” and will know exactly what “a lot” means when he has his next PET scan on 08/31/2015. If you would like more information on Slim or any of the excellent Plexus products, please email me at kkcraine@comcast.net. #TexasPlexuswithKim
Alpha Lipoic Acid is just one of the incredible ingredients in Plexus Slim. My husband is currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer and has remained on the Plexus products through-out his treatment. We know the tumor has shrank “a lot” and will know exactly what “a lot” means when he has his next PET scan on 08/31/2015. If you would like more information on Slim or any of the excellent Plexus products, please email me at kkcraine@comcast.net. #TexasPlexuswithKim
Very informative.Thanks for sharing.
Very informative.Thanks for sharing.
R-lopic acid is the superior form
R-lopic acid is the superior form
Garlic is a deadly poison,and should be avoid,see Bob beck Video on You tube
Garlic is a deadly poison,and should be avoid,see Bob beck Video on You tube
Greatest news feature
Greatest news feature
ALA is a fantastic supplement … I have had two rounds of chemo for ovarian cancer and started taking ALA in the second round and it completely reversed my peripheral neuropathy.
ALA is a fantastic supplement … I have had two rounds of chemo for ovarian cancer and started taking ALA in the second round and it completely reversed my peripheral neuropathy.
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID Is one of the ingredients of Max International product CELLGEVITY..
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID Is one of the ingredients of Max International product CELLGEVITY..
Real important info when dealing with cancer
Real important info when dealing with cancer
Where are the literature citations footnoted in this article?
Click on Sources and References button
Where are the literature citations footnoted in this article?
Grsteful for this article.
Grsteful for this article.
I take ALA for energy on a cellular level, i love it, with arginine and taurine. I work out alot.
I take ALA for energy on a cellular level, i love it, with arginine and taurine. I work out alot.
I LOVE TO SHARE THESE INFORMATIONS HOPING TO GET OTHERS OUT THERE TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING WHAT TO INTAKE AND WHAT NOT TO TAKE IN… LIKE THIS WE CAN PREVENT NOT TO GET CANCER..
I LOVE TO SHARE THESE INFORMATIONS HOPING TO GET OTHERS OUT THERE TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING WHAT TO INTAKE AND WHAT NOT TO TAKE IN… LIKE THIS WE CAN PREVENT NOT TO GET CANCER..
I love the way you explain this important issue about cancer! thank you!
I love the way you explain this important issue about cancer! thank you!
Alpha L Lipoic Acid useful article
Alpha L Lipoic Acid useful article
Are there any effects on MDS (myalodysplastic syndrome)?
how much r type alfa lipoic-acid should we take for killing cancer?
and is there any evidence about this?
Yes Hitoshi, that is explained in the bottom section of the article and you can review all the citations where it says sources.
In the sources and references section? I looked there and theres not a specific dose said.
sir,we have a’yams’ we called it ‘Mannokka’. Hence i found a information about a doctor he had a cancer, but he ate this yams every day, this yam has cyanide and this cyanide attack to cancer cells.so that doctor is now good.he haven’t a cancer. so many people did not believe this .I think this yams is the only treatment to the cancer.please research this . I’m from Sri lanka. sir please research this ‘yams; we want a treatment to cancer.because there are so many cancer patients. and my mother had a cancer.
Mr. visura: You certainly are referring to plants chemicals called nitrilosides that are highly toxic
to cancer cells only but. inocuous to normal, healthy ones. It’s a complex molecule that contains
a cyanide radical and benzaldehyde group. Please search : nitrilosides, Hunza people, amygdalin,
Laetrile.
Oh Thank you ~ I am troubled by P N and will now remember to pick some up!
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is also considered to be a good reliever of foot neuropathy from diabetes. Supposedly, ALA attacks the fungus that bothers the nerves in the foot. Cancer seems to act like a fungus since it lives on sugar. Thanks for the information about ALA and it possibly benefitting people with cancer.
What if u have amalgams in your mouth? Do u still recommend ALA?
Thanks for the information. Could you please post all the references for the facts stated. Thank you once again
Hi Badru,
Please check the sources and references tab that is underneath the article summary. Thanks!
The references at the end of the article are incomplete and un-numbered, and there is no way to get to them. I see that I am not the only one to want them (naturally!) There are a few sources cited, but not the 12 references within the article. Please repair, or post them to those of us who need them, beyond, useful, applicable. With gratitude, Dr.Rae
Thanks for the feedback Rachelle! I will let our team know.
I heard that ALA helps with Burning Mouth Syndrome. I have CLL (stage 0). Would I still be able to use ALA for BMS? If so, what dosage? Thank yoi.
Alpha Lipoic Acid Via IV is the strongest antioxidant to destroy cancer.
But will it not increase acidity in the body or cause ulcers or worsen them?
Thank you for reading the article and for your insightful question. We appreciate your concern about the potential side effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on acidity levels and ulcers. It is important to approach any supplement or treatment with caution and gather as much information as possible.
There is no strong evidence to suggest that ALA, when taken as a supplement, would directly increase acidity levels in the body or worsen ulcers. However, individual responses to any supplement can vary, and it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or concerns.
For a more personalized evaluation and recommendations on whether alpha-lipoic acid is suitable for you or if it might interact with your specific health situation, it is essential to discuss this with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.