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Inhaltsstoff-Glossar
Lipoic Acid
What Is Lipoic Acid?
Alpha-lipoic acid is a sulfur-containing compound also known as thioctic acid. It plays an important role in mitochondrial energy metabolism. In its reduced and oxidized forms, it also participates in redox reactions and can help regenerate other antioxidant systems, including vitamin E and glutathione.
Where Does Lipoic Acid Occur Naturally?
Alpha-lipoic acid is synthesized in the body and is present in cells as part of enzyme complexes. Dietary sources include meat, especially organ meats such as liver, heart and kidneys, as well as vegetables including spinach and broccoli. Food contains relatively small amounts, so the doses used in supplements and clinical studies are much higher than normal dietary intake.
What Is Lipoic Acid’s Primary Function in the Body?
Lipoic acid is a cofactor in mitochondrial enzyme complexes that help convert nutrients into energy. One important example is the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate, which connects glycolysis with the citric acid cycle. During these reactions, the lipoamide system temporarily carries hydrogen atoms and acyl groups and transfers them to the next reaction step.
Reactive oxygen species, or ROS, are oxidizing molecules formed during normal metabolism, including mitochondrial respiration. At controlled levels they serve as signaling molecules and contribute to immune defense. Excessive ROS, however, can damage proteins, lipids, DNA and cellular structures such as mitochondria. Persistently elevated oxidative stress is associated with aging and a range of chronic diseases.
Antioxidants can neutralize reactive molecules by donating electrons. In doing so, antioxidants such as vitamin C and glutathione may themselves become oxidized. Alpha-lipoic acid and its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid, form a redox pair that can participate directly in antioxidant reactions and support the regeneration of other antioxidant systems.
Reactive oxygen species, or ROS, are oxidizing molecules formed during normal metabolism, including mitochondrial respiration. At controlled levels they serve as signaling molecules and contribute to immune defense. Excessive ROS, however, can damage proteins, lipids, DNA and cellular structures such as mitochondria. Persistently elevated oxidative stress is associated with aging and a range of chronic diseases.
Antioxidants can neutralize reactive molecules by donating electrons. In doing so, antioxidants such as vitamin C and glutathione may themselves become oxidized. Alpha-lipoic acid and its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid, form a redox pair that can participate directly in antioxidant reactions and support the regeneration of other antioxidant systems.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Lipoic Acid Supplementation?
Maintaining redox balance is relevant to healthy aging. When the formation of reactive oxygen species persistently exceeds the body’s antioxidant and repair capacity, oxidative damage can accumulate in cellular structures and may contribute to impaired function and disease risk.
Researchers have investigated alpha-lipoic acid supplementation because antioxidant capacity and metabolic health may change with age. Clinical research has examined its effects on diabetic neuropathy, glucose metabolism, endothelial function, inflammation and oxidative-stress markers. Results vary according to the condition, dose and route of administration.
Many clinical studies have used approximately 300–600 mg per day. Higher doses have also been studied, but increasing the dose can raise the risk of gastrointestinal complaints, headache, low blood glucose and other adverse effects. Very high intakes should not be used without medical supervision. Alpha-lipoic acid may also interact with diabetes medication and can affect thyroid treatment.
Sources
Further information and scientific studies on alpha-lipoic acid can be found below.
alpha-Lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant
www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7649494
Lipoic acid - biological activity and therapeutic potential
www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22001972