Alpha Lipoic Acid Help for Neurological Diseases

Alpha lipoic acid supports mitochondrial health, which may help with autism.

Causes
Vitamin C Safety in the Brain

Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant. It also easily crosses the blood brain barrier (BBB) to help boost other natural antioxidant compounds in the brain that can't cross the BBB. ^(iii.1)

Research suggests that alpha lipoic acid could help prevent, treat, and/or relieve the symptoms of many brain and neurological diseases as well as mood disorders. These include:

Alzheimer's disease ^(iii.2)
Autism ^(iii.3)
Bipolar disorder ^(iii.4-5)
Burning mouth syndrome ^(iii.6)
Carpal tunnel syndrome ^(iii.7)
Depression ^(iii.8)
Dysgeusia (altered taste perception) ^(iii.9)
Epilepsy ^(iii.10)
Fibromyalgia ^(iii.11)
Hearing loss ^(iii.12)
Huntington's disease ^(iii.13)
Lost sense of smell ^(iii.14)
Mania ^(iii.4)
Multiple sclerosis ^(iii.2, 15)
Parkinson's disease ^(iii.16-18)
Peripheral neuropathy (including diabetic) ^(iii.19)
Sciatica ^(iii.20)
Schizophrenia ^(iii.1)
Stroke ^(iii.21-22)
Vision loss ^(iii.2)

Alpha lipoic acid may also help slow cognitive or even reverse decline related to aging — especially when combined with beneficial lifestyle changes. Although in many instances these are preliminary lab and animal studies, in some conditions there is clinical evidence of benefit. ^{(iii.1, 6, 23-25)}

Could Alpha Lipoic Acid Make Vitamin C Safer for Your Brain?

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If you take vitamin C supplements that are made from synthetic ascorbic acid, one nutritional expert suggests taking alpha lipoic acid supplements to protect your brain. Synthetic vitamin C interacts with the extra iron in many enriched breads and pastas to form a free radical that's dangerous to brain cells. Alpha lipoic acid protects neurons against damage caused by excess iron. ^(iii.26)

What Causes Neurological Disease?

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Healthy brains are highly regulated but delicate. Compared to other organs, the brain is particularly vulnerable to damage. That's because the brain: ^(iii.27-28)

Is composed of high levels of fatty acids that are easily for free radicals to steal electrons from.
Uses much greater amounts of cell energy. Mitochondria in cells use oxygen to make energy, which generates lots of free radicals during the process.
Accumulates iron.
Has fewer antioxidant defenses.

Neurological conditions each have their own distinct causes and symptoms. However, factors that disturb the brain's environment and contribute to these diseases are often the same. The conditions themselves further aggravate and add to these factors. They include: ^{(iii.2-4, 12-13, 16, 27-33)}

Accumulation of metals (e.g., copper, iron, lead, mercury and zinc) that cause damage from free radicals.
Chronic inflammation.
Dysfunctional or injured mitochondria that don't produce enough cell energy (and generate more free radicals than normal).
Free radicals.
Impaired glucose metabolism (e.g., from diabetes).
Insulin insensitivity or insulin resistance.
Lower levels of antioxidants and growth factors that help rebuild neuron brain cells and promote brain cell growth.
Overactive immune system cells.
Substantially lower levels of enzymes necessary for metabolizing carbohydrates and making cell energy.
Toxins and environmental factors (e.g., chemotherapy and excessive noise).

Studies suggest alpha lipoic acid can help counteract many of the factors that contribute to neurological conditions. ^(iii.1-22)

Such as glutathione (GSH). ^(iii.1)

However, results of a small controlled clinical trial combining alpha lipoic acid with acetyl-l-carnitine for 12 weeks showed no increased benefit over placebo. ^(iii.5)

Such as increased physical, social, and educational activities. ^(iii.25)

The central nervous system is only about 2% of total body weight, but uses 20% of oxygen inhaled. ^(iii.28)

Such as BDNF. ^(iii.33)

Such as pyruvate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, located in the mitochondria. ^(iii.13)

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