Vitamin N-Lipoic Acid

Vitamin N - lipoic acid - is an antioxidant found in some foods, including red meat, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets and yeast. It is also contained in small amounts in the human body. Another common name for vitamin N is alpha-lipoic acid, thioctic acid

The history of the discovery of vitamin N

In 1937, scientists discovered bacteria containing compounds, subsequently described as lipoic acid. The antioxidant activity of lipoic acid has been known and studied since 1939. In 1957, lipoic acid was found in yeast extracts. At one time it was believed that this vitamin is a substance in which the body needs, but can not produce it itself, but later it was discovered that the body can produce lipoic acid on its own, however, a little.

The Benefits of Lipoic Acid

This substance can benefit those with diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Vitamin N improves blood sugar control, treats neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, and eliminates toxicity associated with heavy metal poisoning.

Lipoic acid plays an important role in the metabolism or cellular processes in the body. Recent studies have shown that this substance is useful for the treatment of nerve damage in diabetes. There is no reliable scientific evidence that lipoic acid prevents the development and spread of cancer. But its powerful role as an additional therapy is possible to reduce the side effects of radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Lipoic acid (vitamin N) in the treatment

Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that helps protect the body from diseases. An antioxidant is a compound that blocks the action of free radicals, activated oxygen molecules, it can lead to cell damage. Oxidation can also play a role in weakening health, age processes. Some researchers suggest that lipoic acid may be useful for slowing the aging process.

Lipoic acid has been used to treat diabetic polyneuropathy, a disease of nerves that affects many diabetics, which causes pain and numbness in the hands and feet. Studies show that lipoic acid can also reduce blood sugar levels.

Where can I get lipoic acid (vitamin N)?

Lipoic acid can be obtained from food, and the body also produces it naturally, but so little. As a person grows old, his body produces even less lipoic acid.

Its supplements are available in the form of capsules and tablets and are sold in pharmacies. Many studies show that injectable forms of lipoic acid can be used. A safe and effective dose of this supplement was not firmly established. Most studies used doses of 300 to 600 milligrams (mg) per day. High doses of any antioxidant supplements can actually lead to cell damage.

Results of studies of vitamin N

There are no studies on people who convincingly show that lipoic acid supplements can prevent the development or progression of cancer. However, despite a number of well-documented research reports, it is possible to assume the value of lipoic acid in clinical trials.

Early studies of cells grown in vitro have shown that lipoic acid can provoke cancer cells to self-destruct - a process known as apoptosis. More research is needed to determine if lipoic acid has similar effects for animals and humans.

There have been encouraging results in animal and human studies that indicate the ability of lipoic acid to reduce the harmful side effects of chemotherapy. Some chemotherapeutic drugs can damage nerve cells in the body, which can cause a condition called peripheral neuropathy, when patients feel pain or other sensations, usually in the hands or feet.

In an Austrian study, 8 of 15 patients who received lipoic acid after taking oxaliplatin - a chemotherapy drug - reported an improvement in symptoms. The researchers suggested that larger studies should study this effect.

Lipoic acid against chemotherapy and other diseases

One study shows that in rats, lipoic acid can help reduce the damage to the heart muscle caused by chemotherapeutic drugs. In 2006, the publication reported that a combination of antioxidants, including lipoic acid, helps people with a diagnosis of cancer to restore appetite and body weight.

Studies have also examined the use of lipoic acid for other medical conditions.

In a recent review, the researchers reported that lipoic acid may be useful in treating diabetic nerve problems, and that it can improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes.

Other studies have shown that vitamin N can be useful in liver diseases. Laboratory and animal studies have also shown that lipoic acid may be useful in the treatment of stroke, cataracts, nerve damage after HIV infection, in the treatment of certain diseases of the nervous system (such as Alzheimer's disease), and radiation damage.

This substance can also help people with high cholesterol. Research in humans is now being conducted to determine whether lipoic acid is an aide against these diseases.

Are there any problems or complications from vitamin N?

Most supplements with vitamin N have not been tested to find out whether they interact with medicines, foods or other herbs and supplements. Although reports of interactions and harmful effects can be published, complete studies of interactions and effects are not yet available. Because of these limitations, we should regard any information on side effects as incomplete. It is only known that lipoic acid can interact with vitamin E and ascorbic acid, preventing them from oxidizing

Lipoic acid in food is a safe substance. Studies have shown that 300 to 600 mg of lipoic acid per day can be a safe dose with very little side effects, although some sources report that it occasionally can cause indigestion or a rash on the skin. High doses of lipoic acid can lower blood sugar, this should be known to diabetics.

Since this is a powerful antioxidant, there are fears that lipoic acid can make radiation therapy or chemotherapy less effective. For this reason, people exposed to this procedure should talk to their doctor before taking this supplement.

The effect of prolonged use of lipoic acid is unknown. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk to their doctor before taking this supplement. Applying this type of treatment without a prescription and doctor's recommendations, you can get serious health consequences.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]

Vitamin N and energy

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is produced by the body and is present in every cell where it helps to convert glucose into energy. Antioxidants against the attack of "free radicals" work well, when in the body of food turns into energy. Free radicals cause harmful chemical reactions, which can lead to damage to cells in the body, making the body more difficult to fight infections. They can also lead to damage to organs and tissues.

Other antioxidants dissolve only in water (for example, vitamin C) or adipose tissue (for example, vitamin E), but alpha lipoic acid is simultaneously soluble in water and fat. This means that it can work throughout the body, giving the person energy. Antioxidants in the body are used because they attack free radicals, but experience shows that alpha-lipoic acid can help restore these other antioxidants and again make them active.

Confusion with acids

In the cells of the body, alpha-lipoic acid is converted into dihydrolipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid is not the same as alpha-linolenic acid, which is the famous omega-3 fatty acid, which can help heart health. Among ignorant people, there is often a confusion between alpha-lipoic acid and linoleic acid Alpa, because both are sometimes abbreviated as ALA. Alpha-lipoic acid is also sometimes called lipoic acid.

[8]

Vitamin N vs. Diabetes

In several studies, it has been proven that alpha-lipoic acid is good to help lower blood sugar levels. Its ability to kill free radicals can help people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy who have pain, burning, itching, tingling, numbness in the hands and feet from nerve damage.

Alpha-lipoic acid has been used for many years to treat peripheral neuropathy in Germany. Most studies have found that this substance helps in the use of intravenous (IV) alpha-lipoic acid. Most studies of the oral form of alpha-lipoic acid were short-lived and poorly designed. One of the studies of 2006 shows that taking alpha-lipoic acid for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy can reduce its symptoms compared to placebo.

Taking alpha-lipoic acid can help another diabetes-related condition called autonomic neuropathy, it affects the nerves of the internal organs. One study showed that 73 people with cardiac autonomic neuropathy, which affects the heart, began to feel less symptoms of this disease after taking 800 mg of alpha-lipoic acid orally.

Diabetic neuropathy and vitamin N

A high blood sugar level for a long time can be toxic to the nerves. Diabetics who do not control the blood sugar level, eventually begin to lose the sensation in the legs. Other problems that arise as a result of damage to various nerves that supply internal organs. Even impotence can be caused by loss of nervous sensations in the genitals.

However, high blood sugar can not be the only culprit. Diabetics are usually under high oxidative stress and this contributes to their neurological problems.

Some studies show that this nutrient has a beneficial effect on diabetic neuropathy due to its action as an antioxidant, and also by improving circulation in tiny blood vessels.

[9], [10], [11], [12]

Anti-Aging Effects of Vitamin N

Glucose (sugar) is involved in the aging process because of its ability to react with certain proteins, such as collagen, to produce glycation. That is, glucose molecules make the protein less functional, which will lead to its destruction. As we age, the level of glycosylation of proteins in our body tends to increase.

Glycosylation of collagen in our tendons and arteries increases with age as the blood glucose increases, which occurs with aging. However, limiting calories can help prevent this age-related increase in glycation. In other words, avoiding excess sugar and excessive caloric intake for many years and decades, we help our proteins in the body stay healthy.

Alpha-lipoic acid can help reduce the rate of glycation.

[13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18]

Practical ways of using

Eat often and in small portions throughout the day instead of one or two excessively large. These small meals or snacks will help keep blood sugar levels in a relatively stable state without wide fluctuations.

Make sure that you get protein with every meal. Avoid pure carbohydrate foods, except when you want to cause drowsiness. Carbohydrates can be eaten an hour or two before bedtime, it will help you feel sleepy.

Even relatively "healthy" drinks, such as fruit juices, can greatly increase blood sugar levels when consumed in large quantities. Many people can very quickly swallow a large amount of orange juice in the morning, in addition to a cup of coffee with a teaspoon of sugar or two - and then wonder why they get better.

Alzheimer's disease

Alpha-lipoic acid as a new treatment option for Alzheimer's disease is good for improving neural transmission. In one study, 600 mg of vitamin N was given daily to nine patients with Alzheimer's disease (receiving standard treatment with choline esterase inhibitors) in an open study for a 12-month follow-up period. Treatment led to stabilization of cognitive functions in all patients of the study group.

[19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24]

Asthma

Alpha-lipoic acid suppresses airway inflammation and hyperreactivity of the asthma model. This model was studied in mice. Physicians evaluated the therapeutic effect of using lipoic acid in the treatment of asthma. Compared with those mice who were asthmatics who did not take lipoic acid, the mice that took it significantly reduced the hyperreactivity of the respiratory tract, they reduced the proportion of eosinophils and significantly improved the assessment of pathological damage to the lungs.

[25], [26],

Blood sugar level

Vitamin N can reduce blood sugar.

[27], [28], [29]

Vitamin N, brain function and stroke

Because alpha-lipoic acid can easily pass into the brain, it can help protect it and the nerve tissue. Researchers are studying lipoic acid as a potential treatment for stroke and other problems associated with the brain under the influence of free radicals, such as dementia.

Vitamin N and glaucoma

Some preliminary studies show that alpha-lipoic acid can help in the treatment of glaucoma, but there is not enough evidence to say with certainty whether it works. In one study of the problems of skin aging, a cream with 5% lipoic acid helps to reduce wrinkles obtained due to sun rays.

Nutritional sources of vitamin N

If you are healthy, your body produces enough alpha-lipoic acid. It is also found in red meat, meat by-products (eg, liver) and yeast, especially brewer's yeast.

Alpha-lipoic acid is also available as capsules. Your doctor can recommend an injection.

Pediatric exposure to vitamin N

Alpha-lipoic acid has not been studied in children, therefore it is not recommended for use in pediatrics.

Vitamin N for adults

• You can buy it in doses of 30 - 100 mg.
• General support of the antioxidant: 20 to 50 mg per day
• Diabetes and diabetic neuropathy: 800 mg per day in divided doses

Precautions for using vitamin N

Because of possible side effects and interactions with other drugs, you should take vitamin N only under the supervision of a doctor.

Alpha-lipoic acid can reduce blood sugar, so people with diabetes or low blood sugar should take alpha-lipoic acid only under the supervision of their doctor.

Animal studies show that people who do not get enough thiamine (vitamin B1) should not take alpha lipoic acid. Especially with B1 deficiency associated with long-term alcohol abuse.

Interaction of vitamin N with other vitamins

Considered as a powerful antioxidant, lipoic acid improves the effects of other antioxidants (such as vitamins C and E) and works on the body to regenerate antioxidants in the fight against free radicals. It is also used for the prevention or treatment of liver diseases, cataracts and reduces the risk of plaque formation in the arteries.

Some proponents of this vitamin believe that lipoic acid can suppress genes that cause cellular cancer growth, and some recommend it as one of the components of alternative anticancer treatments or as complementary therapy to prevent or alleviate some of the side effects of traditional cancer treatment.

Researchers believe that lipoic acid can help prevent damage to the nerves after the use of certain chemotherapeutic drugs.

Possible interactions in treatment

If you are currently undergoing treatment with any of the following drugs, you should not use alpha-lipoic acid without consulting a doctor.

Medications for Diabetes

Apha-lipoic acid can be combined with these drugs to lower blood sugar, which increases the risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Ask your doctor before taking alpha-lipoic acid, and watch your blood sugar level. Your doctor can advise you to change the dose of the drug.

Drugs for chemotherapy

Alpha-lipoic acid may affect some chemotherapy drugs. Always ask the oncologist before taking any herbs or supplements, including alpha-lipoic acid.

[30], [31], [32], [33]

Thyroid drugs

Apha-lipoic acid can reduce the level of thyroid hormones. Your attending physician should monitor the level of sex hormones in your blood and periodically perform tests for thyroid hormone levels.