I read recently something of interest that
should get you pretty excited, that is if you are as interested
in your general health, your competitive performance or just the
way you look. The information is very involved so I am going to
jump around a bit and skip to the vital facts. The actual full
contents can be found in the book (The Wrinkle Cure) written by
Dr. Perricone on pages 67 thru 80.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (the super antioxidant) is
found naturally in the mitochondria of the skin, so it can
affect metabolism. A higher energy level allows the cell to take
in more nutrients, remove more wastes and replace damaged
components. As we age, our metabolism slows. Aging cells produce
energy more slowly. Alpha Lipoic Acid can increase the speed of
energy production, cell repair and healing time. Truth be told,
it is one of the most important antioxidants needed by the body.
It helps other antioxidants last longer (such as it. C, E,
Glutathione). It is also both fat and water-soluble so it can
work in each and every part of skin cells. It even protects DNA.
It fights against inflammation which is known to be an open
invitation to lines and wrinkles. Its special skill at bashing
free radicals comes at least in part, from its ability to
prevent the action of certain transcription factors called NFk-B
which would produce pro-inflammatory chemicals called cytokines,
that damage the cell and accelerate aging (Getting excited
yet?!?!).
There is something more interesting here though,
it is the link between sugar and aging. Sugar just like oxygen
is necessary for our cells to stay alive. Unfortunately, the
sugar in our bodies- called glucose- can be toxic to our cells
in many ways. Sugar is exceptionally damaging to your skin
because it attaches to the proteins of collagen, causing
collagen to cross link so it becomes stiff and inflexible
leading to the wrinkling and stiffness of old skin.
Alpha Lipoic acid prevents the attachment of
sugar to protein (known as glycation) When cross linking occurs,
tiny strands, or strings are formed. Normally they would slide
over one another now they cannot move freely resulting in
sagging and inflexible skin that gives us the appearance of
aging. Alpha lipoic further reverses the
attachment of the sugar to collagen when applied to the skin or
taken orally. Taken orally it protects all the cells of our body
from glycation and helps cells use sugar for fuel more
efficiently. (it should be known that people with diabetes age
1/3 faster than non-diabetic just because of the effects of
sugar). Of course, the best way to minimize the effects of sugar
toxicity is to eat less.
Dr. P. did a case study, by applying a 1 per
cent solution to a group of patients of alpha lipoic (in a
lecithin- based lotion) on their faces twice a day, found that
under eye puffiness decreased (swelling known as edema is caused
by inflammation). With in five days participants began to report
their skin had a healthy glow. Alpha Lipoic ability to promote
healthy production of nitric oxide (which helps control blood
flow to the skin).
Scientists are looking into its ability to help
with heart disease, diabetes, and even AIDS. There is so much
more if you are interested. So, the question I would have around
now would be," how much do you take a day?" I take 50mg a day
orally as recommended. Additionally if you read your vitamin
bottles you will see doses of 10mgs in multiple vitamin bottles.
