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The Foods Rich in Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic acid is classified as both an antioxidant and a nutrient. It helps to turn glucose into energy, protect cells from oxygen damage, and maintain the supplies of vitamins E and C. Alpha-lipoic acid differs from many other antioxidants in that it can function in both water and fat, whereas most can only perform in one or the other. This beneficial nutrient is essential to the diet of all humans, however many experience deficiencies because of poor eating habits.

  1. Animal Product Food Sources

    • Animals, like humans, need alpha lipoic acid to function adequately, and they store excess amounts in the kidneys, liver and heart. Generally, these are thought to be the most beneficial options when selecting a part of the animal to eat for the purpose of gaining extra alpha lipoic acid. However, other parts of the animal will also carry some levels of the nutrient. Vegetarians should concern themselves with the levels that they receive without the consumption of meat.

    Vegetable Food Sources

    • Dark green, leafy produce are excellent sources of alpha lipoic acid, among other key vitamins and nutrients. Kale, spinach and broccoli are among the most prominent of suppliers in the vegetable family. Vegetarians, in particular, should try and consume a good amount of each of these vegetables in order to ensure that they get an ample amount of this nutrient.

    Supplements and Other Food Sources

    • One of the main sources of alpha lipoic acid is yeast, which contains an abundance of the antioxidant. While this is the most dense form of edible alpha lipoic acid, it is not necessarily the most accessible. Supplements, such as pills, are also available for those which prefer the easy method of consumption or greater assurance that they are getting a sufficient amount of the nutrient. Many health food and vitamin stores offer a pill form of this product for the consumer to purchase.

    Therapeutic Uses and Food Factors Contributing to Deficiencies

    • There are many different therapeutic uses and benefits that doctors and nutritionists attribute to alpha lipoic acid, including limiting cell damage, helping to control insulin, and prevention of cataracts, chronic fatigue syndrom and liver disease. The evidence to directly support some of these preventions is somewhat limited, however. Most people that exhibit signs of deficiencies related to alpha lipoic acid mistake it for a lack of vitamin C, as the symptoms are quite similar. Persons that do not eat meat should be particularly careful in monitoring their health. A deficiency resulting from a lack of vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) and NADH can also attribute to decreased levels of this antioxidant.

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