Friday, August 23, 2013

All You Need to Know About Alpha-Lipoic Acid or Vitamin N?

Vitamin N, also known as Alpha-lipoic acid, is a fatty acid found naturally inside every cell in the body. It is needed to produce energy for normal functioning of the body. Alpha-lipoic acid converts glucose into energy.

Alpha-lipoic acid  is also an antioxidant that neutralizes potentially harmful substances called free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells, organs and tissues in the body, making it harder for the body to fight  infections.

Other antioxidants work only in water or fatty tissues but Alpha-lipoic acid is both fat and water-soluble which means it works throughout the body. The uniqueness of  Alpha-lipoic acid is that it is an antioxidant and appears to be able to recycle antioxidants such as vitamin C and Glutathione after they have been used up and may help regenerate these antioxidants and make them active again.

Glutathione is an important antioxidant that helps the body eliminate potentially harmful substances. Vitamin N increases the formation of Glutathione.

Alpha-lipoic acid is made by the body and can be found in very small amounts in foods such as spinach, broccoli, peas, Brewer's yeast, Brussels sprouts, rice bran, and organ meats. Alpha-lipoic acid supplements are also available in capsule form at health food stores, some drugstores, and online. You have to take Alpha-lipoic acid on an empty stomach for maximum absorption.

Alpha-lipoic acid is changed into DI-hydrolipoic acid in the cells of the body. Alpha-lipoic acid is not the same as alpha linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid that may help heart health There is confusion between Alpha-Lipoic acid and alpha linolenic acid because both are sometimes abbreviated ALA. Alpha-lipoic acid is also sometimes called lipoic acid.

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