| The many benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) have recently been revisited. Scientists first discovered the importance of this substance in the 1950s, and recognized it as an antioxidant in 1988, but only recently has it made its way into health food stores in the United States. Very potent and versatile, ALA is a special antioxidant. It is one of the most powerful antiaging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory available and is known as the “universal” antioxidant because it is both fat and water soluble. Vegetarians, dieters, and athletes often lack sufficient amounts of this important nutrient in their diet and just about everyone can use the protection it may provide to fight environmental stresses. It works in both the fatty cell plasma membrane and the aqueous interior of the cell to protect the body against free radicals. It is, in fact, 100 times stronger than Vitamin E and Vitamin C combined, both of which are known for their excellent antioxidant qualities. ALA protects DNA, the mitochondria (the energy producing portion of the cell) and reduces cellular inflammation. Dr. Perricone, noted dermatologist, highly recommends ALA in his Wrinkle-Free program. He states, “The importance of alpha lipoic acid—the metabolic antioxidant—is hard to overstate. As you know the higher the energy level of the cell, the more youthful you remain.” ALA has been found to act as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, accelerate the removal of glucose from the bloodstream, improve insulin function and decrease insulin resistance and has been shown to inhibit replication of HIV in a test tube.
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