Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.  

In recent years, the use of alpha lipoic acid for cardiovascular health is gaining popularity day by day. Alpha lipoic acid is an organic fatty acid that is found in nearly every human cell across the body. It’s primarily involved in the mitochondrial process of energy metabolism in which the body turns glucose (sugars) into energy using oxygen. It can increase antioxidant enzymes that can acutely reduce oxidation and blood sugar levels, all of which can potentially benefit cardiovascular health. Keep reading to learn more.   

In this article, we’ll be exploring whether there is any benefit of using alpha lipoic acid for cardiovascular health according to scientific studies. But before we get into how alpha lipoic acid can help with cardiovascular health, it’s worth having a fundamental idea of alpha lipoic acid first. So, let’s get started. 

Table of contents 

• What is alpha lipoic acid? 
• Benefits of alpha lipoic acid for cardiovascular health 
• How to use alpha lipoic acid supplements 
• Precautions and side effects 
• Final words 

What is alpha lipoic acid?

Alpha lipoic acid, also commonly known as ALA, thioctic acid, or lipoic acid, is an organic fatty acid naturally produced in every human cell. It’s primarily present in mitochondria, the cellular powerhouse, and assists the cellular process of energy production called aerobic metabolism in which the body turns glucose into energy using oxygen. 

Alpha lipoic acid also has an incredible ability to scavenge free radicals that have unstable oxygen molecules and cause large chain reactions, leading to damage to cells even at the genetic level. 

Unlike other antioxidants that are either water-soluble or fat-soluble, alpha lipoic acid has a unique antioxidant profile as it’s both water- and fat-soluble, meaning it is efficient to work in all cells and tissues throughout the body. 

The exceptional antioxidant profile of alpha lipoic acid has been associated with a range of health benefits including reduced inflammation, improved nerve function, slowed aging, lower blood sugar levels, and of course, reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases. 

Although the human body naturally makes alpha lipoic acid on its own, but only in small amounts. Besides, the amounts decline with aging. For this reason, external intake through foods or supplements may be a great option for many people to maintain sufficient levels. 

Benefits of alpha lipoic acid for cardiovascular health 

Multiple studies suggest that alpha lipoic acid can hugely help improve cardiovascular health and lower several risk factors that are often found involved in the development of various cardiovascular diseases involved with the heart, blood vessels, and brain. 

The benefits of alpha lipoic acid for cardiovascular health seem to come from its exceptional antioxidant properties that are highly effective in preventing and reducing oxidative damage caused by free radicals.   

Inflammation is considered one of the most prevalent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. It’s often found associated with obesity and diabetes, the two most common causes of heart attack and stroke as well as premature death in both men and women. 

Alpha lipoic acid has been shown to possess excellent anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent and lower several inflammatory and glycemic markers including interleukin-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF- α), which contributes to obesity-induced insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. 

A 2020 clinical trial published in the Journal of Medicine and Life demonstrated that supplementing alpha lipoic acid for four months noticeably reduced concentrations of several inflammatory markers including interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in people with type 2 diabetes who already had a prior history of myocardial infarction. 

Another 2015 review in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity showed that the powerful antioxidant properties of alpha lipoic acid can lower age-related oxidative stress, which is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of blood arteries), and endothelial dysfunction ( in which blood vessels are unable to dilate or relax properly). 

How to use alpha lipoic acid supplements 

The dosage of alpha lipoic acid is individual and depends on specific health needs and goals. Therefore, always work with a professional natural healthcare provider to determine how much is right for you. However, most clinicians recommend a dose range of 300 mg to 600 mg per day which is best taken on an empty stomach or at least one hour before or two hours after meals. 

Precautions and side effects

Alpha lipoic acid is recognized as safe, effective, and stable when taken as recommended. No serious adverse effects have been associated with alpha lipoic acid so far. However, some people may experience some very uncommon and rare side effects such as nausea, vomiting, skin rash, and low blood pressure. 

Besides, alpha lipoic acid may affect how certain treatments and medications work such as chemotherapy, blood thinners, thyroid medications and treatments, and blood sugar medications. Moreover, there are no sufficient data available to understand whether it’s safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. 

Therefore, it’s always highly recommended to work with a qualified natural healthcare professional to know whether it is right for your specific health condition and how much would be truly safe and effective for you, especially if you’re on medications for any underlying health issues or pregnant or breastfeeding.  

Final words 

Alpha lipoic acid or thioctic acid is an organic fatty acid with unparalleled antioxidant properties. The use of alpha lipoic acid for cardiovascular health has been found to be highly beneficial in many different ways. It’s an effective natural agent to fight various cardiovascular risks including oxidative stress and several inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein. 

If you want to give it a try to augment your cardiovascular health, consult with a licensed natural medicine professional to know your best dosage.

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Resources: 

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32341698/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25949771/
3. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-767/alpha-lipoic-acid
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323738#possible-side-effects
5. https://www.verywellhealth.com/alpha-lipoic-acid-88727
6. https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-lipoic-acid/
7. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/alpha-lipoic-acid
8. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/alpha-lipoic-acid#sources-amp-dosage
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10. https://www.doctorsformulas.com/en/category/newsposts/health-benefits-of-lipoic-acid.htm
11. https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/our-blog/2018/11/alpha-lipoic-acid-benefits-for-skin-diabetes-heart-health-vision/
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