Alpha-lipoic acid is a compound naturally found inside every cell of the body. ALA is an antioxidant made by the body. Antioxidants attack “free radicals,” which are waste products created when the body turns food into energy. Unlike other antioxidants, ALA works in both fatty tissue and water. That means it can work throughout the entire body.
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ALA is also fundamental to the breakdown of amino acids, the essential elements of proteins that are vital to new cell production. Your body’s cells are continually turning over, replacing old dying cells with new ones. As we age, cellular turnover naturally slows down. Insufficient levels of lipoic acid can reduce your body’s ability to replace old cells, which can speed up the aging process.

ALA has become popular as a potential aid to diabetes. It also may help fight the signs of skin aging, decrease cholesterol, assist with memory loss-related disorders, promote healthy nerve function, and reduce inflammation. ALA potentially chelates heavy metals and regenerates other antioxidants.