Welcome to
Science a GoGo's
Discussion Forums
Please keep your postings on-topic or they will be moved to a galaxy far, far away.
Your use of this forum indicates your agreement to our terms of use.
So that we remain spam-free, please note that all posts by new users are moderated.


The Forums
General Science Talk        Not-Quite-Science        Climate Change Discussion        Physics Forum        Science Fiction

Who's Online Now
0 members (), 181 guests, and 2 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Latest Posts
Top Posters(30 Days)
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#41866 12/22/11 05:07 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
P
paul Offline OP
Megastar
OP Offline
Megastar
P
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
http://www.tldp.com/issue/160/160alpha.htm

got health?

Quote:
French fries, hash browns, tater tots, potato chips, scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, twice baked potatoes.... With all the great stuff you can do with 'em, no wonder everyone loves potatoes. Some people think potatoes are fattening, but they are not at all. It just depends on what you add to them. Potatoes are actually loaded with cholesterol-lowering fiber, and potassium which maintains fluid and electrolyte balance as well as normal heart function and blood pressure. But wait till you hear about Alpha Lipoic Acid, a little-known substance found in potatoes!

Alpha lipoic acid is a vitamin-like antioxidant that is produced naturally in the body and in foods like potatoes. We have known about its existence since the 1930's when it was discovered that a so-called "potato growth factor" was necessary for growth of certain bacteria. Years later in 1957, the compound was extracted, and formally identified as Alpha Lipoic Acid.

Through years of research, the unique metabolic antioxidant properties of alpha lipoic acid have been clearly demonstrated and while it is not yet a widely known substance, this is sure to change soon. Alpha Lipoic Acid holds great promise as a free radical protectant for our cells as it is the only antioxidant which is both fat and water soluble. Lipoic acid is easily absorbed and transported across cell membranes. This offers us protection against free radicals both inside the cells and outside the cell. This is unlike many other antioxidants which only provide extracellular protection.

Inside the cell, alpha lipoic acid is readily reduced or broken down to dihydrolipoic acid. Dihydrolipoic acid is even more potent than alpha lipoic acid, neutralizing free radicals, preventing them from causing harm. It directly destroys damaging superoxide radicals, hydroperoxy radicals and hydroxyl radicals. We encounter these oxidants every day through exposure to cigarette smoke, car exhaust, irradiation, polluted air, alcohol, sunshine, etc. We continuously form superoxides as a natural part of respiration and metabolism. We create free radicals as we convert the food we eat to energy.

Free radicals damage membranes (creating capillary fragility, and is associated with cardiovascular disease), damage to proteins creating cataracts, and breakdown of elastin and collagen which are associated with aging and wrinkles, and cancer. In addition to its antioxidant properties, alpha lipoic acid has a number of unique applications leading to its great health promoting abilities.

Alpha Lipoic Acid actually regenerates other antioxidants such as C, E and glutathione, prolonging their existence in the body. The is actually of great significance in that it allows us to take our antioxidant supplements once instead oftwice daily.

Protects us from arterial plaque and cholesterol buildup
Free radical formation through the oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) creates arterial cholesterol deposits associated with atherosclerosis. It has been suggested that vitamin E transported by LDL plays a critical role in protecting against this LDL oxidation. The maintenance ofsufficiently high vitamin E concentrations in LDL can be achieved by reducing its free radicals, i.e., by vitamin E recycling. A study published in 1992 by the Journal oflipiol Research demonstrated that dihydrolipoic acid recycles vitamin E by synergistically interacting with ascorbate. The study also noted that while beta-carotene is not active in vitamin E recycling, it may itself protect against oxidative destruction (Kagan).

Drinkers and Smokers

Because of the beneficial recycling effects on glutathione and other antioxidants, Alpha lipoic acid is the perfect antioxidant for drinkers and smokers because it neutralizes these toxins and also protects us from secondhand smoke. Alpha lipoic acid actually protects the liver from damage from alcohol (Morgan).

Benefits Diabetic Individuals

Diabetes is one of the major degenerative diseases in the United States and is a major risk for the development of cardiovascular disease. It is characterized by a reduced ability to use and metabolize carbohydrates. A recent study of great significance published by the Germans reported that alpha-lipoic acid enhanced glucose disposal in patients with Type II diabetes (NIDDM). Insulin resistance of skeletal muscle glucose uptake is a prominent problem of NIDDM; therefore improvement of insulin sensitivity would be of great benefit The study used groups comparable in age, body-mass index and duration of diabetes and had a similar degree ofinsulin resistance at baseline. Administration of alpha lipoic acid resulted in a significant increase of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal; metabolic clearance rate for glucose rose by about 50% whereas the control group did not show any significant change (Jacob).

One of the major problems among diabetics is the associated complications. Alpha lipoic acid has been successfully used throughout Europe for many years to help treat and prevent complications associated with diabetes including neuropathy and cataracts. Alpha lipoic acid improves nerve blood flow, reduces oxidative stress, and improves distal nerve conduction in experimental diabetic neuropathy. A study at the Mayo Foundation in Rochester, Minnesota, demonstrated that alpha lipoic acid will reduce oxidative stress in diabetic peripheral nerves and improve neuropathy. Lipoic acid did not affect the nerve blood flow of normal nerves but improved that of diabetic neuropathy in a dose-dependent manner.

After 1 month of treatment, the alpha lipoic acid group exhibited normal blood flow. The most sensitive and reliable indicator ofoxidative stress was reduction in reduced glutathione, which was significantly reduced in the diabetic and alpha-tocopherol-deficient nerves; it was improved in a dose-dependent manner in the lipoic acid group. Nerve conduction was also significantly improved by the lipoic acid (Nagamatsu).

Protection Against Cataracts

Glutathione is an important free radical deactivator offering protection against cataract formation, as well as immune enhancement, liver protection, cancer protection and heavy metal detoxification. Regeneration of this nutrient by alpha lipoic acid enhances all of these properties. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley investigated the effect of alpha-lipoic acid on cataract formation in specially treated newborn rats and found that a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight protected 60% of animals from cataract formation. The treatment used to promote cataract formation was an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. Major biochemical changes in the lens associated with the protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid were increases in glutathione, ascorbate, and vitamin E levels. Treatment with alpha-lipoic acid also restored the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate free radical reductase in lenses ofthe treated animals but did not affect glutathione reductase or superoxide dismutase activity. They concluded that alphalipoic acid may take over some of the functions of glutathione (e.g., maintaining the higher level of ascorbate, indirect participation in vitamin E recycling); the increase of glutathione level in lens tissue offering the resulting protection. Thus, alphalipoic acid could be of potential therapeutic use in preventing cataracts and their complications (Maitra). Additional Therapeutic Effects

An abundance ofpromising research has also shown the ability of alpha lipoic acid to inhibit replication of HIV-1 and other viruses through its DNA binding activity (Shoji), and also to protect the liver from toxins, prevent kidney stone formation (Jayanthi). It is used to treat cirrhosis, hepatitis and treat or prevent radiation injury. Individuals with capillary fragility (who bruise easily) can also benefit from alpha iipoic acid.

Cofactor for Energy Production

Under normal conditions, alpha lipoic acid functions in the body as a cofactor for a number of vital enzymes responsible for metabolism of our food to chemical energy (ATP). Alpha lipoic acid acts as a coenzyme at the active site of enzyme complexes. Lipoic acid facilitates the metabolism of glucose to energy. While deficiencies are rare, we cannot thrive without it. In order to preform antioxidant functions in the body, alpha lipoic acid must be present in amounts significantly higher than normal. Therefore, supplementation is required for this great benefit to be obtained. While some of the human studies involve supplementation as high as 1,000 mg daily, 100 mg daily is sufficient to obtain antioxidant effects in most cases. An added bonus, it's very affordable.

Naturally Found in Foods We Eat Every Day
Outside the body, alpha lipoic acid is found in the leaves of plants containing mitochondria and in non-photosynthetic plant tissues, such as potatoes, carrots, beets, yams, kohlrabi and others. Red meat is among the rich sources of naturally-occurring alpha lipoic acid. Good thing...since beef is also loaded with cholesterol! It's interesting how nature seems to have a way ofbalancing things out.


3/4 inch of dust build up on the moon in 4.527 billion years,LOL and QM is fantasy science.
.
paul #41869 12/22/11 06:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,858
B
Megastar
Offline
Megastar
B
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,858
At first glance I thought that this looked a lot like an advertisement for some kind of "natural" dietary supplement. I was also kind of turned off by the huge range of things it seems to be able to help. That is usually a sign of somebody selling snake oil. So I followed the link to see where it was coming from. When I got to tldp.com, the top level of the source of the quote I eventually got to a point where I see that it is from an alternative medicine magazine. And that is where my doubts really started growing.

What they are saying may be true, but the alternative medicine community has a pretty bad reputation among people who have been involved in scientific studies. The alternative medicine community tends to accept things on the basis that somebody said it was so, mostly based on word of mouth. So I will wait until there is scientific proof, involving multiple studies, that the facts are real.

Bill Gill


C is not the speed of light in a vacuum.
C is the universal speed limit.
Bill #41895 12/26/11 01:38 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
P
paul Offline OP
Megastar
OP Offline
Megastar
P
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136


3/4 inch of dust build up on the moon in 4.527 billion years,LOL and QM is fantasy science.
paul #41897 12/26/11 03:45 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,858
B
Megastar
Offline
Megastar
B
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,858
Well, the latest reference in the article is from 1995. So in 16 years there hasn't been anything to be added to it. Maybe the early reports were found to be lacking, I don't know. But one thing I am sure of. Playing around with your health should be undertaken very cautiously. I'm not planning on jumping out and buying alpha lipoic acid supplements.

I will of course keep on eating potatoes.

Bill Gill


C is not the speed of light in a vacuum.
C is the universal speed limit.
Bill #41902 12/27/11 05:53 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
P
paul Offline OP
Megastar
OP Offline
Megastar
P
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
2010
2008
2006

Bill have you ever tried to use a internet search engine , they are cleverly designed and handy to use especially when you write your opinions in forums.


Quote:
Lipoic acid (1,2-dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid)—first isolated and chemically identified in 1951 by Lester Reed and colleagues


1951 !

but you see big pharmacy and doctors and hospitals make much more money doing things the standard way , which is really out dated stuff.

reminds me more of the dark ages than what should be happening in 2011.

theres plenty of dazzle with all the lights blinking and the air wizzing and all the fine expensive monitoring equipment buzzing and flashing and displaying the patients status.

but with all that technology theres not a wisp of healing taking place.

mostly just a really slow downgrade of patient health due to standard practice / policy.

but its monitored very well!








3/4 inch of dust build up on the moon in 4.527 billion years,LOL and QM is fantasy science.
paul #41906 12/27/11 11:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,858
B
Megastar
Offline
Megastar
B
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,858
Ok Paul you like search engines. So I searched for "alternative medicine failures". Here are the first 2 links I found. Actually they are not that much different. The first one is a report by a blogger on the second. But the fact is that all alternative medicines should be approached with caution, because they may turn out to actually be harmful.


Failure of Alternative Medicine

Here's the article discussed in the previous entry.

From MSNBC


Bill Gill

Last edited by Bill; 12/27/11 11:52 PM. Reason: Bad link

C is not the speed of light in a vacuum.
C is the universal speed limit.
Bill #41907 12/28/11 03:08 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
P
paul Offline OP
Megastar
OP Offline
Megastar
P
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
Quote:
Robert Bazell is NBC News' Chief Science and Health Correspondent. His reports appear on "NBC Nightly News, with Brian Williams" "Today" and "Dateline NBC."
During his career with NBC News, which has spanned more than three decades,


Bill , I looked but I couldnt find the "DR" in front of his name.

but Im with you after all he is a news corespondent and they may indeed know more about the medical world than those who put the "DR" in front of or "MD" behind their names.


I think about things a little more like this.

we eat foods , we get sick.

a lot of us get sick because of the foods we eat.

if eating the wrong kinds of foods got us sick in the first place
then eating the right kinds of foods or food supplements might just make us well again.


free radicals destroy cell membranes the alpha lipoic acid neutralizes free radicals.

what better way to avoid getting sick than killing what kills our cells.

and what better way to lessen the damages from free radicals when xrays cause free radicals in the body.

pretty simple stuff there bill , get a xray then just take a pill for the damages it has done.

sure there are loads of alternate medicines and supplements that have not had clinical testing by valid medical professionals.

but when you have one such as alpha lipoic acid that has had valid clinical testing by valid medical professionals then why not bring it into standard use , after all if a drug company can put out a new drug every month that usually always has 20 - 30 warnings along with it that take up more air time than the positives do in the commercial why cant doctors have this available to use to actually heal some of their patients.

especially when there have been no substaintual complications from its use.

however...

Quote:
Side Effects

Side effects of alpha lipoic acid may include headache, tingling or a "pins and needles" sensation, skin rash, or muscle cramps.

There have been a few reports in Japan of a rare condition called insulin autoimmune syndrome in people using alpha lipoic acid. The condition causes hypoglycemia and antibodies directed against the body's own insulin without previous insulin therapy.

The safety of alpha lipoic acid in pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with kidney or liver disease is unknown.


http://altmedicine.about.com/od/alphalipoicacid/a/alphalipoicacid.htm


Quote:
A Current Update on the Use of Alpha Lipoic Acid in the Management of
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus


http://www.benthamscience.com/cdtiemd/samples/emiddt9-4/0008V.pdf

I suppose you just have to figure out if you trust news corespondents with your health or actual doctors , but watch out bill those potatoes have lipoic acid in them also.



















3/4 inch of dust build up on the moon in 4.527 billion years,LOL and QM is fantasy science.
paul #41935 12/30/11 08:59 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
P
paul Offline OP
Megastar
OP Offline
Megastar
P
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
bill

I did find this in favor of not using alpha lipoic acid in rats however.

100mg/kg !!!!!!!!!!!

wow , so a 180 lb man would be given a dose of 8000 mg/day !!!
when a average dose is apx 400 mg a day in clinical test...

lets just drink 800 glasses of water each day vs 8 a day
to see if these test could show some favorable results in favor of big pharma.

this way it could be concluded that water is dangerous to
our health and that we should buy the newly manufactured big pharma synthetic version of water.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19616616

Quote:
Lipoic acid is a disulfhydryl-containing compound used in clinical medicine and in experimental models as an antioxidant. We developed a stable isotope dilution capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry assay for lipoic acid. We assayed a panel of the metabolites of transmethylation and transsulfuration 30 min after injecting 100 mg/kg lipoic acid in a rat model. Lipoic acid values rose 1000-fold in serum and 10-fold in liver. A methylated metabolite of lipoic acid was also detected but not quantitated. Lipoic acid injection caused a massive increase in serum S-adenosylhomocysteine and marked depletion of liver S-adenosylmethionine. Serum total cysteine was depleted but liver cysteine and glutathione were maintained. Serum total homocysteine doubled, with increases also in cystathionine, N,N-dimethylglycine, and alpha-aminobutyric acid. In contrast, after injection of 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid, serum total cysteine and homocysteine were markedly depleted and there were no effects on serum S-adenosylmethionine or S-adenosylhomocysteine. We conclude that large doses of lipoic acid displace sulfhydryls from binding sites, resulting in depletion of serum cysteine, but also pose a methylation burden with severe depletion of liver S-adenosylmethionine and massive release of S-adenosylhomocysteine. These changes may have previously unrecognized deleterious effects that should be investigated in both human disease and experimental models.


note: please dont drink 800 glasses of water a day.

you would die like the rat did.



3/4 inch of dust build up on the moon in 4.527 billion years,LOL and QM is fantasy science.
paul #41936 12/30/11 09:33 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
P
paul Offline OP
Megastar
OP Offline
Megastar
P
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,136
just in case anyone is interested in finding a treatment center for standard treatments and even iv treatment with alternate medicines you can do a search at the below website.

http://www.acamnet.org/site/apps/kb/cs/contactsearch.asp?c=ltJWJ4MPIwE&b=5457489&raw=


3/4 inch of dust build up on the moon in 4.527 billion years,LOL and QM is fantasy science.

Link Copied to Clipboard
Newest Members
debbieevans, bkhj, jackk, Johnmattison, RacerGT
865 Registered Users
Sponsor

Science a GoGo's Home Page | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact UsokÂþ»­¾W
Features | News | Books | Physics | Space | Climate Change | Health | Technology | Natural World

Copyright © 1998 - 2016 Science a GoGo and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5