Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid

The Ultimate Skin Vitamin

As a Health Advisor the one question I was often asked to list the most important vitamins for great skin.

People always ask.."what vitamins do I need for healthy skin?” or "are there any vitamins that can help prevent wrinkles?"

Well, one of the most important vitamins for great skin are  anti-glycation supplements like Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA).

It’s a potent antioxidant that helps other anti-oxidants, such as vitamins C and E fight free radicals and stay in the body longer, which gives skin cells extra protection.

In addition, this vitamin is fat soluble and water soluble which means it reaches ALL the cells in the body.

Fat Soluble VS.
Water Soluble Vitamins

Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed through the intestinal track and are stored in body. Water soluble vitamins dissolve easily in water and leave the body after a few hours.

So the perfect vitamin is one that does both -- thereby offering the benefits of all vitamins.

However, the exciting part, is the role it plays in anti-aging skin care. 

Because as we age, our cells begin to lose their ability to regenerate as effectively as when we are young.

How Does ALA Work?

It helps reduce glycation – which is essential in preventing wrinkles.

But What Is Glycation - It is a chemical reaction where the sugar in your bloodstream bonds to the protein in your tissues. Glycation occurs throughout your body, including your skin, in which case it creates undesirable changes to collagen – and this means wrinkles!

Want To Know More About Glycation?

Glycation happens when sugar molecules attach themselves to collagen fibers. This sets off a series of chemical reactions that eventually result in cross-linking of collage molecules and this causes the loss of skin elasticity.......

An easier way to understand glycation - is to picture what a chicken looks like after it’s been cooked in an oven.

The skin is crunchy, hard and brown – the chemical reaction that caused the stiffening and browning of the chicken skin is called glycation. Good for a tasty chicken, but not for our skin!!

What Can You Do?

Take Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)  - According to Dr. Perricone a board certified clinical and research dermatologist --

"ALA has long been one of my favorite nutritional supplements. If I were to list all vitamins for healthy skin, this one would be first."

......"Known as the “universal” antioxidant because of its ability to reach all portions of the cell.....ALA actually helps curtail glycation and enhances the transfer of blood sugar into the cells by stimulating glucose uptake. ALA reduces the potential for glycation and blunts its effects …." 

I found the best price for this great skin vitamin here.............Alpha Lipoic Acid. Plus, it has added Biotin for extra energy production. 

Low Glycemic Index

Reduce Intake of High Glycemic Foods - Try to avoid or at least reduce high glycemic (high sugar, simple carbohydrates) foods – which rapidly convert to sugar in the bloodstream.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Dosage

It’s best to follow the directions on the manufactures bottle, because some lipoic vitamins range in dosage - from 50 mg to 300 mg daily.

Make sure to take it with food, as it could cause stomach upset if taken on empty stomach.