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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
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
Nevertheless, keep up the good work and keep posting.
h Registered: Feb 2000 posted March 14, 2001 03:49 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm in a bumping mood! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amp Pro Bodybuilder Posts: 516 From:Anytown, USA Registered: Jun 2000 posted March 14, 2001 03:52 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I also would like more info on the 50% increased glycogen storage. If that's the case it should cause your muscles to be much more full and pumped all the time. Have you noticed a physical difference in your physique when using the ALA? Can you provide where any documented info or research is about this. I am not questioning the validity of this statement, I just want to learn more about it and how it accomplishes this. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phreaky Amateur Bodybuilder Posts: 230 From: Registered: Mar 2000 posted March 14, 2001 04:02 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALA is very potent if used at the proper times and dosages. 200mg with breakfast and 400-600mg post workout with a high carb-high protien shake. I have been using it for years with excellent results. Glucose uptake was incraesed dramatically that = incraesed pumps and less BF%. I am for the first time going to experiment with the real thing - insulin. I want to know how much stronger it is. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amp Pro Bodybuilder Posts: 516 From:Anytown, USA Registered: Jun 2000 posted March 14, 2001 04:04 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 600mg post workout with a high carb, high protein shake. That sounds like a good idea. When I creatine load next week, how much ALA should I take with each drink 200-300mg? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- pittbull2 Pro Bodybuilder Posts: 360 From:Louisiana Registered: Sep 2000 posted March 14, 2001 04:10 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fonz tell us where to read more on this, sounds good and my liver profile is off right now maybe this will help. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fonz Elite Bodybuilder Posts: 1009 From:Mt. Olympus Registered: Jun 2000 posted March 14, 2001 04:11 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by The_Iron_Game: Good post Could you please clarify what you mean by the following: 1. Increases glucose up-take by the muscle-cells by 50%. This permits you to hold 50% more glycogen. I.e. you can eat 50% more carbs. I spotted something in there and was wondering if it was a typo. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry for the wait guys, but I had to answer my mobile. Here goes, In our muscle cells, there are 2 kinds of glucose transporters. Glut-1 and Glut-4. While Glut-1 is totally genetic, and the amount you have at birth is the amount you will have throughout your natural life, Glut-4 on the other hand is not. Things that affect glut-4 transporters are training and drugs such as ALA and Metformin. (Metformin BTW only increases glucose up-take by 10-40% depending on the individual) What ALA does is increase the number of glut-4 transporters drastically that are in the muscle cells therefore letting them increase the amount of glucose they can "suck-up" into the muscle cell. The increase in glut-4 transporters was shown to increase glucose up-take by 50% at my specified dosage. As you know 1gram of glucose=1 gram of carbs. Now, the amount of glycogen muscles can normally hold is roughly 350g. If the muscle-cells increase their glucose up-take by 50%, they will be able to hold 175g more glucose(175 more carbs) to a total of 525g carbs. Thats 700Kcal extra you could eat a day, without getting fat. And amp, IT WOULD DEFINATELY make your muscles fuller. Godspeed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- lawnsaver Olympian Posts: 1918 From:FL Registered: Sep 2000 posted March 14, 2001 04:11 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fonz, you inspired me last night to order some. ------------------ " That which does not kill me, will make me stronger" "Catch a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROIDRANGER Freak Posts: 2562 From:an underground-gym near you Registered: Sep 2000 posted March 14, 2001 04:16 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- so now: best places to get it from cheap???? is that 'kilosport' place good.... ------------------ power to gain from the ROIDRANGER. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The_Iron_Game Freak Posts: 2498 From: Registered: Oct 2000 posted March 14, 2001 04:43 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fonz I am still not clear on something, I believe you have made a slight mistake in your figures. Once your muscles have been saturated with glycogen say after 5-7 days then by consuming this extra 700cals every day is not all going to be used to get into the muscle and replenish and increase glycogen stores. It is pretty much similar to the effects of creatine. You start off a loading dose and once the muscle has been saturated you can start with the maintain dose, any more and it is simply wasted. I also find it very unlikely that if I consume 5000 calories of carbs a day that I can consume an extra 2500 calories of carbs without putting on fat. This is not a flame but that is rediculous. The carbs would have to be spread out a day and excess calories over what the muscle needs to grow will be stored as fat although this lipoic acid will very much reduce this. Peace -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mass Monster Elite Bodybuilder Posts: 854 From: Registered: Dec 2000 posted March 14, 2001 04:49 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great post bro! Very informative! Mass Monster -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fonz Elite Bodybuilder Posts: 1009 From:Mt. Olympus Registered: Jun 2000 posted March 14, 2001 04:50 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by The_Iron_Game: Fonz I am still not clear on something, I believe you have made a slight mistake in your figures. Once your muscles have been saturated with glycogen say after 5-7 days then by consuming this extra 700cals every day is not all going to be used to get into the muscle and replenish and increase glycogen stores. It is pretty much similar to the effects of creatine. You start off a loading dose and once the muscle has been saturated you can start with the maintain dose, any more and it is simply wasted. I also find it very unlikely that if I consume 5000 calories of carbs a day that I can consume an extra 2500 calories of carbs without putting on fat. This is not a flame but that is rediculous. The carbs would have to be spread out a day and excess calories over what the muscle needs to grow will be stored as fat although this lipoic acid will very much reduce this. Peace -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lipoic acid is not a licence to eat carbs. But, that last part you said is exactly what LIpoic acid is good for. Maximizing Glycogen storage while minimizing fat storage from too many carbs. I think in general people eat WAY TOO many carbs. Try eating 500g Carbs or less with lipoic and you will gain little if no fat. If you eat like 800g carbs/day then everything is different don't you think? Godspeed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fonz Elite Bodybuilder Posts: 1009 From:Mt. Olympus Registered: Jun 2000 posted March 14, 2001 04:58 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'l be a little more concise. Maintenance for me is 3000Kcal. If I follow a 60% carb/40%prot/20%fat diet, then 1800 of those 3000Kcal come from carbs. Thats 450grams. Now, I can normally hold 375g Carbs in my muscles, so I'm eating 75g extra carbs. These 75g Carbs(300Kcal) will go into fat storage. Thats roughly 1 pound of fat every 12 days. Now, lets say I Add lipoic acid. And increase my glucose up-take and carb storage. Then my muscles can hold: 375g+375*0.5=563g Carbs. If I'm now consuming 450g Carbs a day, I'm creating a 113g carb(452 Kcal) differential. If I do cardio I could then lose 1 pound of fat every 8 days instead of gaining one pound every 12 days, solely throught the addition of ALA. Godspeed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40butpumpin Amateur Bodybuilder Posts: 117 From:Schenectady, NY USA Registered: Feb 2001 posted March 14, 2001 04:58 PM Staff Use Only: IP: Logged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I found a place (actually "BlackOp" told me about it) that has excellent prices, it's: 
