ALA | Alpha-lipoic acid

Properties: Alpha-lipoic acid is a compound that naturally occurs in the human organism. It plays an important role in the metabolic processes that transform food into energy. Moreover, it can bind heavy metals into chelates — complex compounds that are easily expelled from the body. Thanks to that, ALA is involved in the detoxification of the organism. 

Scientific research supports the claim that ALA supplementation can reduce appetite and therefore lower the calories intake. Given its properties, alpha-lipoic acid provides powerful support to any slimming and detoxifying diet regime. Importantly, ALA can increase the activity of telomerase — an enzyme crucial in the cellular division process. Quick and efficient cell division is a marker of the organism’s youth. Therefore, alpha-lipoic acid may delay the aging-related decrements.

With strong antioxidant properties alpha-lipoic acid has the ability to protect the bodily tissue from free radicals and chelate heavy metals. Moreover, ALA supports the activity of other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, glutathione, or Q10 coenzyme. It also has anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, as it can reduce the sun burns caused by UVB radiation. Its additional advantage is the efficiency with which it penetrates the stratum corneum and enters deeper layers of the skin. What is more, it increases the bioavailability of vitamin A, tightens pores and lightens discolorations. For those reasons ALA is widely used in cosmetics recommended for mature, acne-prone and UV-sensitive complexions.

Occurrence: Alpha-lipoic acid is naturally present in the human organism. It is synthesized in the mitochondria, particularly in the liver. ALA can also be found in food. Animal products rich in alpha-lipoic acid include red meat and offals such as heart, kidneys and liver. Some plants, particularly broccoli, Brussel sprouts, spinach, green peas and tomatoes also contain ALA.

Biochemistry: Alpha-lipoic acid (1,2-Dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid, thioacetic acid) is an organic chemical compound that belongs to the group of carboxylic acids, specifically to saturated fatty acids. It is water and oil soluble. Its bioavailability in the organisms reaches about 30%. In the organism it plays the role of cofactor —  a compound necessary for proper functioning of enzymes, which catalyze metabolic processes that are responsible for the transformation of food into energy. Thioacetic acid is also a powerful antioxidant. Moreover, it has a unique capability to chelate heavy metals and neutralize free radicals that are subsequently removed from the organism.

Fun fact: Alpha-lipoic acid — ALA — occurs in the species of yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae that are used in the breweries to produce upper fermentation beers called “ALE”. These yeasts cannot transform certain sugars and that is why “ALE” beers are characterized by more complex taste and aroma than lagers (lower fermentation beers).