Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)

[Stew Meat]

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a unique nutrient shown to have a potent effect on glucose disposal. It is also a natural antioxidant with free radical scavenging abilities as well as the ability to regenerate oxidized antioxidants. This actually makes other antioxidants more potent.

ALA also increases the levels of intra-cellular glutathione. Glutathione has been shown to enhance recovery from heavy training by reducing intra-cellular damage.

ALA's ability to enhance glucose uptake is a very exciting effect that could enhance other nutrient distribution. By mimicking insulin, ALA increases uptake of glucose into the muscle cell by 65%. This glucose transport stimulation is accomplished through Lipoic Acid's participation in the insulin signaling pathway. Lipoic Acid provokes an upward shift of the glucose-insulin dose-response curve. This is an important function that enhances muscle cell nutrient uptake and protein turnover.

ALA may also increase creatine's ability to enter the muscle cell further enhancing creatine's muscle building effects.

Alpha-Lipoic acid treatment decreases serum lactate and pyruvate concentrations and improves glucose effectiveness in lean and obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Konrad T; Vicini P; Kusterer K; H¨oflich A; Assadkhani A; B¨ohles HJ; Sewell A; Tritschler HJ; Cobelli C; Usadel KH

Department of Internal Medicine, J.W. Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.

Diabetes Care, 22(2):280-7 1999 Feb

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE:

We examined the effect of lipoic acid (LA), a cofactor of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH), on insulin sensitivity (SI) and glucose effectiveness (SG) and on serum lactate and pyruvate levels after oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) and modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (FSIGTTs) in lean (n = 10) and obese (n = 10) patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:

FSIGTT data were analyzed by minimal modeling technique to determine SI and SG before and after oral treatment (600 mg, twice a day, for 4 weeks). Serum lactate and pyruvate levels of diabetic patients after glucose loading were compared with those of lean (n = 10) and obese (n = 10) healthy control subjects in which SI and SG were also determined from FSIGTT data.

RESULTS:

Fasting lactate and pyruvate levels were significantly increased in patients with type 2 diabetes. These metabolites did not exceed elevated fasting concentrations after glucose loading in lean patients with type 2 diabetes. However, a twofold increase of lactate and pyruvate levels was measured in obese diabetic patients. LA treatment was associated with increased SG in both diabetic groups (lean 1.28 +/- 0.14 to 1.93 +/- 0.13; obese 1.07 +/- 0.11 to 1.53 +/- 0.08 x 10(-2) min-1, P < 0.05). Higher SI and lower fasting glucose were measured in lean diabetic patients only (P < 0.05). Lactate and pyruvate before and after glucose loading were approximately 45% lower in lean and obese diabetic patients after LA treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Treatment of lean and obese diabetic patients with LA prevents hyperglycemia-induced increments of serum lactate and pyruvate levels and increases SG.


-Stew

 

[Fonz]

Stew, I posted a massive thread on ALA about 2 months
ago. To bad the archives are down.

65% increase in glucose up-take is not possible unless
you're a type-II diabetic.

In normal people, a 50% increase in glucose transport
is accomplished. This means you can store
50% more glycogen(which is great).

The problem is that some people were saying that
ALA increases glucose up-take into
both the myocites and the adipocytes equally.
I was unable to find a human study done on healthy
males to refute the statement. I did have loads of
animal studies though.

ALA works by increasing Glut-4 transporter numbers at
the surface of the cell. Glut-1 transporters are set since
birth and are genetic.

Godpseed

 

[Stew Meat]

Fonz, what is your point....?


-Stew

 

[Fonz]

Fonz, what is your point....?


-Stew

My point is: Did you find a specific study that showed
that the glucose up-take is primarily channelled
into the miocytes in healthy people?

Studies on diabetics are not applicable to healthy people
as they have problems with glucose up-take to
begin with caused by their diabetic condition.

Godspeed

 

[lawnsaver]

Bump That!

up

 

[Stew Meat]

Fonz, you said that there was a 50% increase in glucose transport...
so one study says 65% and you say 50%... Well, I'm sure that you know more than these lowly scientific researchers, but I'd like to see your logic behind your post. I realize that things are different when someone is diabetic (pancreas doesn't produce insulin) but there is no proof that there would be even the slightest difference between the "glut transporters." Likewise, there should be not even the slightest difference in the cellular functioning of a diabetic. If there was, there would be no problems with being diabetic. The problems stem from them (diabetics) having the same cellular functioning as you and I, only they lack the insulin output that you and I have.

I'm glad that you disproved this controlled scientific study and enlightened us with your genious. Thanks for reminding me that you don't need studies becasue you have God-given inborn knowlege that doctors and scientists could only marvel at....

ALA increases glucose transportation with respect to muscle cells. ALA has not been proven to make people fat, except by Fonz.

-Stew

 

[Phreaky]

Using 1000mg/day and the results are amazing. Tried the insulin route already, but I prefer ALA.

 

[Zeke_B]

Stew Meat, your posts are awesome, but you can be a dick sometimes! Nevertheless, keep up the good work and keep posting.

 

[cockdezl]

"In normal people, a 50% increase in glucose transport
is accomplished. This means you can store
50% more glycogen(which is great)."

A 50% uptake of glucose into cells does not equate to 50% more glycogen...a good portion of this is glucose oxidation. The body is efficient but not 100%.


"ALA increases glucose transportation with respect to muscle cells."

Here are two studies which utilize adipocytes and show glucose uptake with ALA. There is no reason to think that ALA ONLY stimulates myocyte GLUT's. Researchers are still dreaming about an agent that can do that.

Yaworsky K, Somwar R, Ramlal T, Tritschler HJ, Klip A.

"Engagement of the insulin-sensitive pathway in the stimulation of glucose transport by alpha-lipoic acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes."
Diabetologia. 2000 Mar;43(3):294-303.


Estrada DE, Ewart HS, Tsakiridis T, Volchuk A, Ramlal T, Tritschler H, Klip A. Related Articles

"Stimulation of glucose uptake by the natural coenzyme alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid: participation of elements of the insulin signaling pathway."
Diabetes. 1996 Dec;45(12):1798-804.

 

[Fonz]

Stew Meat, you should read more.
And furthermore, stop trying to belittle me
as it just gets old, and you're just making
yourself sound like an asshole.

In my defense, when I posted my thread on ALA
I SAID that ALA increased glucose transport into
the MUSCLE CELLS. However, some people
asked me to SHOW A STUDY DONE ON
HEALTHY PEOPLE THAT SHOWED THAT
the glucose up-take occurred primarily in the
muscle cells and not the fat and muscle cells.
I was unable to find one.

Next time read my responses before posting
dumbass information.

In as far as ALA is concerned I have 4 years
experience with it and I have the knowledge
concerning its bio-chemical impact.

So, just try me.

Godspeed