α-Lipoic acid: biochemical mechanisms of action and endogenous occurrence in living organisms alongside dietary supplements

Alpha-lipoic acid is an organic compound belonging to the carboxylic acid group. It is an eight-carbon saturated fatty acid. It was originally defined as a vitamin, but this changed after it was discovered that this acid can be synthesized by plants and animals, including humans.

One study [5] even suggests that R-liponic acid may have a beneficial effect on the reduction of painful symptoms and quality of life in various types of neuropathic dysfunction; anti-inflammatory disorders: the ability to neutralize glutathione free radicals, to regenerate reduced forms of other antibodies (such as vitamins C and E) [2] and to mobilize endogenous anti-oxidant mechanisms of the body. However, one study [5] suggested that the anti-glutathione effect of R-Liponic Acid may have an effect on reducing the effects of glutamate-free radicals on the body, as well as on increasing the effectiveness of anti-glucose levels in a single group of patients.

Lipoic acid is found in many food products (mostly in broccoli, spinach and liver, beef) and is synthesized in the body in certain amounts, but in quantities many times smaller than doses showing the above medicinal effects. The average daily amount of lipoic acids from endogenous synthesis and food is difficult to estimate. Most commonly, supplementation with R-ALA is used to obtain health benefits.