How Does ALA and ALC Assist in Anti-Aging?

Much research has been done recently on the ability of ALA and ALC, in the proper combination, to help slow the aging process. This combination of a powerful antioxidant and an amino acid has shown great promise in this area.

According to a UC Berkeley study, this powerful combination of Acetyl-L-Camitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid was able to put the spark back in aging mice. After consuming this combination, the mice had more energy and were much more active. They also performed better on memory tests.

ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) is an antioxidant. In addition to its own ability to scavenge free radicals, ALA helps other antioxidants work better, including Vitamins C and E and glutathione. Glutathione is produced in the liver and protects against cell damage from environmental stress like cigarette smoking and exposure to radiation. ALA is the most powerful anti aging antioxidant found in the last 25 years. It is essential to our bodies in the production of energy and one of the most powerful antioxidants known.

Alpha Lipoic Acid has demonstrated its unique ability to neutralize toxic metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium. Our bodies are exposed to these toxins every day from exhaust fumes from the vehicles we drive, from cigarette smoke, secondhand smoke, and more frequently from contaminated seafood we eat that is poisoned by our dumping of contaminated waste into the ocean. Many people are also affected by dental fillings which can poison our bodies over long periods of time. Not only does ALA protect us by detoxifying our bodies from these and other toxins, it nullifies them and helps remove them at a deep cellular level.

Alpha Lipoic Acid has a unique characteristic in that it is both water and fat-soluble. Because of this, it is often referred to as the universal antioxidant as it can affect and relieve the oxidation stress we place on our systems in just about all areas of the body.

ALC (Acetyl-L-Camitine) is an amino acid closely related to B-vitamins. ALC's primary job is helping the cells have enough fatty acids to produce energy. It also helps improve the effectiveness of the antioxidants Vitamins C and E. Acetyl-L-Ca
itine is a nutrient responsible for the transportation of the long-chain fatty acids into the energy-producing centers of the cells, known as mitochondria.

In other words, L-Ca
itine helps the body convert fatty acids into energy. The body produces L-Ca
itine in the liver and kidneys and stores it in the skeletal muscles, heart, brain, and sperm. When we age, we may need L-Ca
itine supplements to maintain the proper balance. As we mature in age, we have a lower energy demand and eating habits change. For example, we usually consume less meat.

At the same time, the dietary intake of L-Ca
itine and the nutrients required to make L-Ca
itine is reduced. This results in a reduction in energy metabolism due to lower L-Ca
itine levels, which can be restored by L-Ca
itine supplementation. In one recent study, L-Ca
itine was shown to partly reverse age-related changes of energy and metabolism in elderly females. L-Ca
itine can be regarded as the ideal nutrient for a long life. Aside from being an incredible anti-aging nutrient, it also has been shown to be beneficial for multiple medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease such as angina and congestive heart failure, liver and kidney disease, obstructive lung disease, and many others.