{"id":1852,"date":"2016-11-07T12:23:01","date_gmt":"2016-11-07T20:23:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/?p=1852"},"modified":"2016-11-07T12:25:13","modified_gmt":"2016-11-07T20:25:13","slug":"lipoic-acid-dietary-supplement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/2016\/11\/07\/lipoic-acid-dietary-supplement\/","title":{"rendered":"Q: I\u2019m in my 50s.\u00a0 Should I consider taking a lipoic acid supplement?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Answer: Perhaps, but it is good to know more about it first.<\/h3>\n

Lipoic acid is a naturally-occurring compound that is found in small amounts in food and is also synthesized in small amounts by humans. The amount of lipoic acid available in dietary supplements (200-600 mg) is likely as much as 1,000 times greater than the amount that could be obtained from the diet alone.<\/p>\n

\n \"Lipoic\n
Lipoic acid shows promise as a dietary supplement for some people.<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n

Taken as a dietary supplement, lipoic acid appears to act as a weak stress on the body\u2014which, surprisingly, is a good thing. It is an example of a fascinating concept in medicine known as \u201chormesis,\u201d which means to give a little bit of something bad in order to evoke something good. Think of lifting weights\u2014it weakens muscles in the short term but the response over time is a healthier, stronger body.<\/p>\n

In a similar fashion, lipoic acid launches a cascade of reactions that ultimately strengthens the body\u2019s own<\/em> defenses against toxins and harmful free radicals that damage cells and genetic material and increase the risk of chronic disease.<\/p>\n

This mechanism of action was discovered in large part by researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute, but it is important to note that more trials in humans are needed to investigate lipoic acid\u2019s role in supporting health.<\/p>\n

What can be said conclusively about lipoic acid is that several human clinical trials have demonstrated its effectiveness in treating nerve damage<\/a> among diabetic patients, when administered intravenously (in Germany it is approved for treatment of this condition, known as peripheral neuropathy).<\/p>\n

But there is reason to hope for more health benefits from this compound. Recent findings from a human clinical trial conducted by the institute, in collaboration with Oregon Health & Science University<\/a>, show that lipoic acid promoted modest weight loss among overweight women, compared with those who did not take it. In addition, lipoic acid supplementation lowered markers of inflammation and free-radical damage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese beneficial effects of lipoic acid are remarkably consistent with preclinical findings showing that lipoic acid inhibits weight gain, accelerates fat metabolism, lowers triglycerides, and exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in laboratory animals,\u201d said Balz Frei<\/a>, Ph.D., the trial\u2019s principal investigator.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This accumulating evidence points to a possibly important future role for lipoic acid in preventing or treating obesity, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and other conditions.<\/p>\n

Linus Pauling Institute principal investigator and Helen P. Rumbel Professor for Aging Research Tory Hagen<\/a>, Ph.D., studies lipoic acid and recommends it as a dietary supplement, especially for older adults because the body becomes more inflamed and less resilient with age.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see very few downsides in taking lipoic acid for most people, except those prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or stomach upset,\u201d said Hagen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He says people should aim to take lipoic acid half an hour before a meal, if possible.<\/p>\n

Bottom-line<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Lipoic acid supplementation at moderate doses (less than 600 mg) appears to have few serious side-effects. Based on a growing body of clinical evidence, lipoic acid shows promise as a dietary supplement to support a variety of measures related to healthy aging. Talk with your doctor before taking this supplement, especially if you are on diabetes or thyroid medications, as lipoic acid may interfere with these drugs. If you decide to supplement with lipoic acid, the Linus Pauling Institute recommends older adults take a daily dose of 200-400 mg.<\/p>\n

For more tips on healthy living and dietary supplements, check out the Linus Pauling Institute\u2019s Rx for Health<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>You can also find more in-depth information on lipoic acid\u00a0in the institute’s Micronutrient Information Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This column originally appeared in the Fall 2016 edition of <\/em>Oregon Stater<\/em><\/a>, OSU\u2019s alumni magazine, and was reprinted in LPI’s Fall\/Winter 2016 Research Newsletter<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Answer: Perhaps, but it is good to know more about it first. Lipoic acid is a naturally-occurring compound that is found in small amounts in food and is also synthesized in small amounts by humans. The amount of lipoic acid available in dietary supplements (200-600 mg) is likely as much as 1,000 times greater than… Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7496,"featured_media":1867,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[159207,582795],"tags":[450219,165515],"class_list":["post-1852","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature-stories","category-supplement-faqs","tag-lipoic-acid","tag-supplement"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1431\/files\/2016\/11\/pills-384846_1920.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1118,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/2014\/08\/11\/spending-time-circadian-rhythms\/","url_meta":{"origin":1852,"position":0},"title":"Spending time with circadian rhythms.","author":"Alexander Michels, PhD","date":"August 11, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Our bodies change signals based on a\u00a0circadian clock\u00a0\u2013 stronger at certain times of the day and weaker at others.\u00a0It establishes a\u00a0rhythm of signals that influences our life. At least one-third of all genes in our bodies are affected by circadian\u00a0clocks, and so maintaining a normal\u00a0circadian rhythm is important to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Feature Stories"","block_context":{"text":"Feature Stories","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/category\/feature-stories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"sleeping is important to circadian rhythms","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/files\/2014\/08\/baby-and-dad-sleeping-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1898,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/2017\/01\/31\/choosing-supplements-wisely\/","url_meta":{"origin":1852,"position":1},"title":"Q: I’ve been reading a lot lately about claims that vitamins in pill form are worthless and unreliable. Do you have a recommendation for where to buy worthy vitamin pills?","author":"Anne Glausser","date":"January 31, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Answer:\u00a0We don't make endorsements, but we can offer advice for choosing supplements wisely. It\u2019s important to remember that supplements are not always necessary and they are not regulated as rigorously as drugs, so it is largely up to consumers to determine a product\u2019s appropriateness, safety and potency. Below we offer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Supplement FAQs"","block_context":{"text":"Supplement FAQs","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/category\/supplement-faqs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"supplement bottle","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/files\/2017\/01\/vitamins-26622_1280-150x150.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":494,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/2013\/05\/28\/health-supplement-regimen\/","url_meta":{"origin":1852,"position":2},"title":"Balz Frei, Ph.D., on his Personal Health and Supplement Regimen","author":"Jana Z","date":"May 28, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Eating a healthful diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy body weight, and avoiding tobacco are of utmost importance to maintain good health. 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Excess omega-3s are really bad! Fish oil\/omega-3s are great\u00a0(again)!! Never mind,\u00a0fish oil doesn\u2019t work... This is confusing and frustrating for all of us. As is the case with most headlines,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "LPI Take"","block_context":{"text":"LPI Take","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/category\/lpi-take\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Fish oil - a source of omega-3","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/files\/2014\/04\/oil-315528_1280-800x529.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1203,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/linuspaulinginstitute\/2015\/05\/28\/questions-about-vitamin-c\/","url_meta":{"origin":1852,"position":5},"title":"Questions about Vitamin C","author":"Alexander Michels, PhD","date":"May 28, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Have questions about vitamin C? 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