What is lipoic used for?

People most commonly use alpha-lipoic acid for nerve pain in people with diabetes. It is also used for obesity, altitude sickness, aging skin, high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses.

Does alpha-lipoic acid help blood circulation?

Because of its antioxidant properties1 and its ability to improve blood-vessel circulation to the nerves,2 ALA has received significant attention as a possible treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and it has been used in Germany for decades as a treatment for this painful and dangerous complication.

Can alpha-lipoic acid cause iron deficiency?

It is observed that the mechanism of metals chelation by lipoic acid may be responsible for these changes and, consequently, could trigger a condition of iron deficiency anemia in hypertensive individuals.

Does alpha-lipoic acid inhibit iron absorption?

Abstract. Background: The antioxidant properties of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) are associated with its ability to reduce iron in cells and tissues, which is partly due to its inhibiting effect on iron uptake from transferrin and its promoting effect on iron deposition into ferritin.

Which vitamin is lipoic acid?

Lipoic acid is another B-complex vitamin, whose only known function is to participate in the oxidative decarboxylations of α-ketoacids, principally conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, and α-ketoglutarate to succi-nyl-CoA, two similar dehydrogenase complexes of the TCA cycle.

Does alpha-lipoic acid affect platelets?

Moreover, high-dose ALA administration led to significant reduction in half-life of circulating platelets, indicative of enhanced rate of platelet clearance. Interesting, high-dose ALA administration could increase the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in platelets and induce autophagy without affecting apoptosis.

Does alpha-lipoic acid chelate iron?

In addition to its antioxidant properties, ALA has iron-chelating properties.

What are side effects of alpha-lipoic acid?

Alpha-lipoic acid side effects

• low blood sugar–headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery; or.
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.