The new substance, which they called lipoic acid, turned out to be essential for helping mitochondria – turn glucose into energy.
Lipoic acid is a vitamin-like chemical called an antioxidant. Lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound present in most kinds of pro and eukaryotic cells. In human diet, lipoic aid is present in several food products such as meat - in particular, liver and heart.
Lipoic acid is not considered a vitamin because there are indications that its biosynthesis occurs from fatty acids. Lipoic acid, also sometimes called alpha-lipoic acid or thioctic acid is needed to help body cells turn glucose into energy and to recycle glutathione.
Lipoic acid supplement can also give human body extra free-radical protection. This could help prevent a lot of health problems, including atherosclerosis and cataracts.
It can function as an antioxidant and has been proposed that lipoic acid may have value in the prevention or treatment of other chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress.
It has been established that lipoic acid protects from lipid peroxidation and increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes – catalase and superoxide dismutase - in peripheral nerves.
Lipoic acid
