Ultra Lipoic Forte 60 Capsules

Ultra -Lipoic Forte capsules, provided by Douglas

Laboratories, contain 1000 mg of pure alpha-lipoic

acid per serving. Alpha-lipoic acid is a non-vitamin

coenzyme that carries out important metabolic and

antioxidant functions in the body.

Alpha-lipoic acid is a nutritional coenzyme that

participates in the energy metabolism of proteins,

carbohydrates and fats, with a particular role in blood

glucose disposal. It is also able to scavenge a number

of free radicals.

As both a fat and water-soluble, sulfur-containing

coenzyme, alpha-lipoic acid functions in the body as

part of several multi-enzyme complexes located in the

mitochondria. Alpha-lipoic acid is essential for

metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, for the

conversion of their energy into ATP. Two of these

enzyme complexes, pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)

and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH) are

part of the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and as such

assume a central role for general energy production.

Another lipoic acid containing enzyme complex,

branched-chain keto-acid dehydrogenase

(BCKADH), is involved in deriving energy from the

branched chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, and

valine.

A related metabolic function of alpha-lipoic acid is its

role in blood glucose disposal. This important

coenzyme appears to be necessary for the normal

transport of blood glucose into the cell. This may be

explained by its functions in the glucose-metabolizing

enzymes, PDH and alpha-KGDH, but some

researchers suspect a more direct role in cellular

glucose uptake at the cell membrane.

As early as 1959, alpha-lipoic acid was suggested to

be an antioxidant, since it could extend the actions of

vitamin C in guinea pigs, and those of vitamin E in

rats. It is only recently, however, that the specific actions of alpha-lipoic acid in free radical quenching,

metal chelation, and antioxidant regeneration have

been investigated.

Body cells and tissues are threatened continuously by

damage caused by toxic free radicals and reactive

oxygen species (e.g., peroxides) which are produced

during normal oxygen metabolism, and by toxic

agents in the environment. Free radicals, once

formed, are capable of disrupting metabolic function

and cell structure. When this occurs, additional free

radicals are produced which, in turn, can result in

more extensive damage to cellular structure and

function.

Alpha-lipoic acid is unique among biological

antioxidants, because it is soluble in both water and

lipids. This allows it to neutralize free radicals just

about everywhere in the body, inside and outside the

cells. Due to its unique sulfur-containing structure,

alpha-lipoic acid can scavenge several types of free

radicals, such as the highly reactive hydroxyl, and

singlet oxygen free radicals. It is also capable of

suppressing the generation of free radicals in the first

place, since alpha-lipoic acid chelates transition

metals, such as iron and copper. Because alphalipoic

acid is involved in so many different

antioxidant functions in virtually all body tissues, it

has been called the universal antioxidant.

Besides being a universal free radical scavenger,

alpha-lipoic acid can also recharge other antioxidant

systems throughout the body. As mentioned earlier,

it can extend the activity of vitamins C and E. In

addition, alpha-lipoic acid can also regenerate

glutathione.

Supplement Facts