ALA and Alzheimer's Disease

Alpha lipoic acid is an anti-oxidant produced in small quantities by our bodies as well as by some organic sources, such as organ meats and vegetables such as broccoli and spinach and by brewer's yeast.  It can also be found in smaller quantities in brussel sprouts, peas and tomatoes.

Anti-oxidants are vital as they attack free radicals that our body produces in the process of converting food into energy in the form of ATP.  Excessive amounts of free radicals cause tissue breakdown, premature aging and illness, or, as we have learned, systemic inflammation.

A study just published in the Journal of Neurodegenerative Diseases suggests that supplementation with ALA has been shown to improve the cognitive function of people with Alzheimer's who also have Type 2 diabetes.  People with Alzheimer's who didn't have diabetes did not appear to be significantly helped by ALA supplementation.

There is a growing consensus among researchers that there is a link between diabetes and Alzheimer's, to the point that some have referred to the cognitive disease as, "Type 3 Diabetes."  The results of this study appear to confirm that there is a fair argument to be made connecting the two diseases, but not a 1:1 cause and effect, at this time.

I hope that there will be more studies as to the efficacy of essential fatty acid and anti-oxidant supplementation for those suffering with dementia, in the near future.  We also need to be mindful as to the source of these supplements, as I have discussed in previous blogs (see February 18-21).

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