Alpha lipoic acid is involved in energy production.
Lipoic acid works together with vitamin E and vitamin C
to protect the entire cell from oxidative stress. As an
antioxidant it is a very small molecule that is efficiently
absorbed and easily crosses cell membranes. Alpha
lipoic acid is both fat- and water-soluble, so it can quench
free radicals both inside and outside the cell. It also directly
recycles vitamins C and glutathione and indirectly recycles vitamin E.
Alpha lipoic acid is an approved drug in Germany for the treatment
of diabetic neuropathy (nerve disease). Several double-blind studies
have shown lipoic acid supplementation (300 to 600 mg daily) does
improve diabetic neuropathy.