Deficiency of Lipoic Acid

Lipoic acid is a little understood and highly important substance found in dark green vegetables, muscle tissue and organ meats. It can be easy to become deficient in lipoic acid if you do not consume the foods that contain lipoic acid, and do not take a supplement to compensate your shortage of lipoic acid. Lack of lipoic acid in your system can cause many problems in the body.

Illness

• Lack of lipoic acid can decrease the efficiency of Vitamin C in your body, leading to a weakening of the immune system. Colds, flu and many other illnesses happen as a result of a weak immune system.

Brain Functioning

• Lipoic acid works to make Vitamin E more available to the body. Since Vitamin E helps the brain to function, a lack of lipoic acid can result in a decrease in proper brain functioning. Memory loss and confusion are common.

Increased Cancer Risk

• Lipoic acid improves the functionality of coenzyme Q10, which is an antioxidant that greatly reduces the risk of cancer. Lack of lipoic acid can cause an increase in cancer risk as a result.

Higher Risk of Birth Defects

• A deficiency in niacin in pregnant women can increase birth defects in their babies. Since lipoic acid is vital in making niacin usable in the body, a deficiency in lipoic acid can increase the risk of birth defects in babies.

Higher Risk of Parkinson's Disease

• Parkinson's disease has been linked to a deficiency in glutathione, a special antioxidant found in asparagus and broccoli. Glutathione relies heavily on lipoic acid for its usability in the body, and a deficiency in lipoic acid could lead to a higher risk of Parkinson's disease.