Health Benefits of Lipoic Acid - How This Unique Vitamin Protects You From Free Radicals

Lipoic acid is a fatty acid that is found naturally inside our body cells. It has the ability to convert glucose (blood sugar) into energy that the body needs to function properly.
Because of its antioxidant properties, lipoic acid is able to protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals in a process called oxidation.
But unlike the more common antioxidants vitamins C and E, lipoic acid, also called alpha lipoid acid, is unique because of its ability to thrive in both water-based and fat-based environment making it work more efficiently and effectively by entering all parts of your body cells and protecting them from damage.
Lipoic acid is believed to have the ability to recycle and put to good use vitamin C and glutathione after they have been used by the body. Glutathione is an antioxidant that cleanses the body of toxic substances and it is produced in large amounts with the action of lipoic acid.
It is produced by the body and can be found in moderate amounts in kidney, heart, liver, spinach, broccoli, peas, yeast extract, brussel sprouts, rice bran and other organ meats.
It is believed to relieve the signs of peripheral neuropathy, a disease that is characterized by pain, burning and tingling sensation, numbness, weakness and itching caused by injury to the body, chemotherapy, shingles, alcoholism, diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure and sometimes malnutrition.
Lipoic acid, also called thioctic acid, is believed to protect our brain and nerve tissues from damage caused by free radicals by penetrating the blood-brain barrier wall, a group of tiny veins and blood vessels that protect the brain
It is also believed to be have potential health benefits to those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, stroke, burning mouth syndrome, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and cataract but further research is needed to prove the vitamin's ability to treat these conditions.
The supplements are available in capsule form at health food stores, and some drugstores nationwide and it is also available online. They should be taken on an empty stomach for maximum absorption.