Improve the Effects Of Your Workouts by Taking Alpha Lipoic Acid!
With the assumption that our bodies should be treated as one's own "temple", it's very difficult to keep up with this theory. After all we live in an age that what "normal" is, really isn't normal. We have things like stress, anxiety, pollution, fried food; cigarette smoke and plenty more distractions to keep us from complete and total health. Because of this, it is essential for us to take vitamins, work out and stay healthy.
In the year 1951 an amazing supplemental discovery was made, but was sadly overlooked. Scientists did not realize the power this supplement carried. This supplement would soon, but dramatically change the way people would diet in the late 80's. This discovery was, Alpha Lipoic Acid, (ALA). ALA is a sulfur phytonutrient that has the ability to increase some of the effects of other antioxidants. It is also one of the greatest sources of energy. ALA has the intelligent talents of fighting off free radicals, as well as the ability to assist the body in cell recovery.
Clinical studies have shown that people can utilize this supplement to help prevent cancer, treat diabetes, HIV/AIDS, liver disease, diabetic neuropathies, anti-aging, fat muscle, heart disease, glaucoma, chronic fatigue syndrome and numerous other medical conditions. ALA has also been related to improvements in the production of energy, by acting as a common and potent antioxidant. It also assists in the simple task of repairing oxidative damage that has occurred in the body. This is done when it has regenerated antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutamine. These antioxidants will allow the ALA to keep killing off the free radicals in our bodies.
Alpha lipoic acid is the only antioxidant known to be fat and water-soluble. Meaning, it allows itself to roam through all parts of the cells. In doing so, it enables itself to trap most free radicals that are actually in your system. ALA can also cross through the human brain and blood barrier, to protect the cells in the brain, where the protection is actually needed the most.
Alpha lipoic acid assists in the quick removal of glucose from the blood, helping in the reduction of fat loss. This works as the sugar is broken down in the system, slowly causing production of ATP's. This becomes a vital point in your bodies system, as it transforms into energy, giving your body the balance of energy it needs daily to keep healthy.
For the inquiring bodybuilding minds asking, what can ALA do for me? The answer is simple. Alpha Lipoic Acid allows your muscles to increase the amount of sugar that it can absorb from your blood stream. Because of this, you are forcing the sugar and all the nutrients in your body to turn fat cells into muscle cells. The ending result leads to a stronger muscle gain and less fat gain. For example: Without ALA, I could gain about 15lbs. of muscle and 15lbs. of fat, with the use of ALA, it would be likely I could gain 19-20lbs. of muscle, with only10lbs of fat.
As far as clinical studies on HIV/AIDS, ALA has been clinically proven to drastically raise the level of gluthaione in at least 30 - 70% of people currently diagnosed with HIV. Due to this, more thorough studies have been taking place. ALA is crucial to HIV studies because the effect it has on the liver, one of the most vital organs in the human body. Since the liver filters out pollutants such as alcohol, aspirin, prescription medications, etc., we need a healthy liver to properly function. However, it has not been clinical proven that supplementing with ALA will prove positive results in patients that are HIV positive.
ALA has also been clinically proven to be a huge asset in the war against aging. ALA is a natural path to the fountain of youth. Of the many studies performed, ALA had therapeutic benefits when administered to the studies orally. Dr. Nicholas Perricone, M.D. of Yale University School of Medicine, and author of "The Wrinkle Cure", stated that since "alpha lipoic acid is both to be fat and water soluble, it can work in each and every part of skin cells." In other words, it helps drastically eliminate damaged collagen in the skin. This type of damage can cause skin to have the wrinkled, raisin look. ALA can erase the unwanted wrinkles and scar tissue without surgery.
In the new millennium, one of the most common diseases in America is that of diabetes. ALA has undergone many clinical studies with positive results affecting diabetes. By assisting the body to resort to using the glucose naturally found in the system, ALA has shown to have a great reversing effect on neuropathy. There have also been instances showing that ALA may reduce the reliance on insulin. Diabetics taking ALA for a reasonable amount of time may need to adjust the levels of insulin or other diabetic medication.
Clinical studies on ALA have been proven to show few if any side effects in the subjects that were administered ALA as directed. The results concluded that a person taking in high dosages of ALA causes nausea and upset stomachs. Studies also showed that when taking ALA in excess, it leads to a dangerously low blood sugar count. Only one side affect for ALA that sounds right on the money was that it gives an individual the feeling of total relaxation. Preliminary evidence has shown, that taking ALA, in dosages of 150mg per day, for one month, improves the visual function in those patients suffering with glaucoma.
Another boggling question that always seems to arise, is where is ALA most commonly found? It is a substance found in foods that contain mitochondria. Such as red meats, vegetables, and fruits, are known to contain the most ALA. The body also produces small amounts of ALA. The knowledge available to you about the sources of this nutrient is very limited.
Are people likely to be deficient? No! Although upon its discovery, it was thought that ALA was a vitamin. But then through sufficient research, it was then determined that it was being created in the human body, therefore not making it an essential nutrient. And for this reason, explanations for any human body to reject this supplement are none.
How much ALA does the human body require? According to researchers, it has been proven that the amount of ALA should be taken for the following, according to these amounts. To improve diabetic neuropathies is 800mg per day. And 150mg per day should be taken for glaucoma. Patients taking ALA as a supplement should be taking a smaller dosage. Even though it ahs been recommended by doctors of natural medicine for basic and general antioxidant protection. This would be administered in low dosages of 20-50mg per day. Even though there has been no concrete scientific evidence pending that using ALA as a supplement is beneficial.
Are there any side effects or interactions associated with ALA? Clinical studies have proven that there are side effects that are associated with ALA. But they are mild and even rare side effects. Nausea and upset stomachaches are due to high doses. Low Blood Sugar problems can occur, due to excessive dosages of ALA. There have also been some few but rare reports of very mild skin rashes.
Although this is an up and coming research, doctors still strongly advise that patients wait until more research has been completed. But if you are one of the millions suffering in this world from diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, you may not be willing to wait for clinical studies to be accurate. In that case, talk to your doctor before taking ALA.
How does ALA slow down aging process? It does this by eliminating the free radicals that can potentially harm the healthy tissue in your body. An example of this is similar to the process that causes metals to rust. In other words, by taking ALA, you are preventing you body from damaging it self, causing it to age.
How will ALA help you lose weight? Well the most common answer of them all is maintaining a healthy diet. Exercise also plays an important role in this. Throughout many studies that have been performed, it has been shown to improve the effect that ALA has on the human body. Who could ask for more? A product that works with all the components of your body to turn unwanted fat, in strong lean muscles. Results may vary depending on the type of exercise and diet that you may keep.
When your feeling a little under the weather, lets not forget the great things that ALA can do for you. Combing with the natural supplements in your body and help reproduce vitamins such as C and E, to help fight the germs. You can't go wrong. ALA has so many proposed uses that the sky's the limit, as far as ALA is concerned. You don't have to take my word for it. The proof is the reach.
ALA seems to be an up and coming miracle, which is revolutionizing the way that we diet and exercise. In the long run it would be completely beneficial for everyone to start adding ALA to his or her everyday diet. For all the health benefits that it carries behind itself. Don't get left out in the dark about this. Jump on the wagon and become a firm believer today. The results can only lead up to a healthier and toned body, age defying skin, healthier immune system, and also help clear up any unwanted scars and stretch marks.