Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)

What Exactly is Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)?

ALA is found naturally in the mitochondria portion of our cells, as part of an enzyme system that helps energy production. It’s both fat- and water-soluble, meaning that it’s easily absorbed through the lipid layers of your skin and works well as a free-radical fighter in the cell plasma membrane. Further, ALA is 400 times stronger than Vitamins E and C combined (both of which are renowned for their antioxidant properties).

 

A New Model for Understanding Aging

Whether in the skin or elsewhere in the body, aging cells need energy to keep them functioning properly. We know that a young cell (just like a young person) is characterized by its energy; by taking supplemental ALA and by applying ALA topically to the skin, we can deliver therapeutic amounts of this substance to help increase energy for proper cellular metabolism, which is desperately needed by cells for their cellular repair.

 

ALA Can Help Repair Damaged Cells

ALA first concentrates in the cell plasma membrane, where it neutralizes free radicals. It then moves on to the watery interior of the cell—known as the cytosol—where it can also quell the activity of free radicals and prevent activation of other pro-inflammatory chemicals.

But that’s not all. A study published in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics acknowledged that menopause is often accompanied by degenerative processes such as arteriosclerosis and atrophic changes of the skin (skin that is thin and wrinkled).

 

ALA and Aging Skin

These changes suggest an acceleration of aging triggered by estrogen depletion. The data in the study supports the concept that antioxidants such as ALA and several others (including the spice turmeric) may help to prevent antioxidant deficiency, thereby protecting the mitochondria from cellular degeneration. They also found that combinations of these antioxidants—both in the diet and applied topically for skin protection—may have favorable effects on the health and quality of life for older women.

Dr. Perricone recommends supplementing with ALA every day, along with a liberal application of topical ALA formulations for optimum cellular protection of the skin.

 

Some of the roles include:

Alpha Lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that participates in many different physiological functions. As we all know, oxidative damage also prematurely ages our skin, causing wrinkling, thinning and skin cancers. Thus, anything that enhances our skin’s ability to fight oxidative damage, will also increase its heath, supporting skin tightening and skin rejuvenation.

 

What is ALA? Generator of cellular energy

More and more, in skincare clinics such as ours who practice advanced Integrative Medicine, IV therapy is becoming an integral and critical component of effective protocols for overall health and wellbeing, including that of the skin.

It has a critical role as a “co-factor” in the generation of energy in every single cell.

 

What is ALA? Alpha Lipoic Acid benefits our mitochondria

Every cell in the body must generate its own energy. Our bodies are NOT engineered like our neighborhoods, where a central power station feeds (supplies) each of our homes. Every home must have its own energy generator.

Every cell uses the same physiological “machine” to generate energy called Mitochondria. Mitochondria are small "organelles" that exist inside each of our cells. Within each mitochondria, the primary biochemical pathway that converts food into energy that the cell can use is called the Citric Acid Cycle. Thus, carbohydrates and fats are converted into the molecule “ATP” which is the primary chemical “fuel” that cells use to live and function. Alpha Lipoic Acid is a key component in this pathway. Without Alpha Lipoic Acid the cycle would stop, our cells would not be able to produce energy to function (ATP), the cell would die and shortly thereafter so would we.

This applies to all the different types of cells that comprise the skin as well. If each of them is not fully functioning at the level of their mitochondria, the skin will deteriorate, prematurely age, wrinkle, sag, and become more susceptible to cancer. On the other hand, treatments that energize the mitochondria of skin cells, will cause skin tightening, lifting, toning, and overall skin rejuvenation. Such treatments should be combined with laser skin tightening, non-surgical facelift, skin resurfacing, neck lift, and any other protocol that is integrative in nature.

Ozone is known to energize mitochondria in a direct and profound way. Though the scientific explanation goes beyond the scope of this article, I will address ozone in a forthcoming article. For now know, that mitochondrial stimulation is the reason that our protocols combine ozone with CIA. (Collagen Induction Acupuncture).

 

What is ALA? Anti inflammatory 

Alpha Lipoic Acid has mild anti-inflammatory properties.

Even seen severely sun damaged skin? Is there any doubt in your mind that it is chronically inflamed? Thus it is easy to see why Alpha Lipoic Acid benefits sun-damaged skin and is expected to have a profoundly curative anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.

 

What is ALA? Positive anti aging effects 

Alpha Lipoic Acid may have a positive “anti-aging” effect by inhibiting “cross bridging”.

Nugget: One of the biochemical characteristics of the aging process and aging tissue is the bonding together of molecules that should be separate. These chemical bonds are referred to as cross-bridges. Though we do not understand why this occurs, proteins in tissues of older individuals tend to “cross-bridge”, which impairs their ability to function properly. “Hardening of the arteries” (Arterial sclerosis) is an example of damage caused by cross-bridging, and so is wrinkling of skin.