Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)
Definition:
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant (meaning it helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals) that’s both produced naturally in your body and found in certain foods. It plays a key role in converting food into energy.[1]
It’s both water and fat-soluble, meaning it can reach all parts of your body,[2] and it’s found in foods like red meat, carrots, potatoes, and spinach. It’s also available as a supplement.
- Nguyen, H. and Gupta, V. (2021). Alpha-Lipoic Acid. [online] PubMed.
- Salehi, B., Berkay Yılmaz, Y., Antika, G., Boyunegmez Tumer, T., Fawzi Mahomoodally, M., Lobine, D., Akram, M., Riaz, M., Capanoglu, E., Sharopov, F., Martins, N., C. Cho, W. and Sharifi-Rad, J. (2019). Insights on the Use of α-Lipoic Acid for Therapeutic Purposes. Biomolecules, 9(8), p.356.
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