Marc Joseph Nutrition - Blog

At the recent “Diet and Optimum Health” conference sponsored by the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI) at Oregon State University, scientists presented research discussing some of the underlying mechanisms behind lipoic acid’s many beneficial effects.

“The evidence suggests that lipoic acid is actually a low-level stressor that turns on the basic cellular defenses of the body, including some of those that naturally decline with age,” said Tory Hagen, an LPI researcher and associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics at OSU. “In particular, it tends to restore levels of glutathione, a protective antioxidant and detoxification compound, to those of a young animal. It also acts as a strong anti-inflammatory agent, which is relevant to many degenerative diseases.” …

… “Our studies have shown that mice supplemented with lipoic acid have a cognitive ability, behavior, and genetic expression of almost 100 detoxification and antioxidant genes that are comparable to that of young animals,” Hagen said. “They aren’t just living longer, they are living better — and that’s the goal we’re after.”

Sound promising? Sure.

But there are a few things you should know about lipoic acid before running out and buying it. In fact, without a proper dosing protocol, some people may want to avoid supplementing with it entirely.

What is Lipoic Acid

Lipoic acid is a compound that contains two sulfur, or thiol, groups. The oxidized form is referred to as lipoic acid (LA), while the reduced form is called dihydrolipoic acid (DHPLA).

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There’s a good amount of published research suggesting that the carotenoids (plant pigments) lutein and zeaxanthin may help to maintain vision and prevent the development of conditions such as age-related macular decline (AMD) and cataracts.

A recent study took a look at the potential benefit of lutein and zeaxanthin for skin health. Both nutrients are naturally found in the skin, and, as in the eye, are believed to have both antioxidant and light-filtering capability. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers found that groups of individuals given oral and topical lutein/zeaxanthin were significantly less affected by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Specifically, after just two weeks, the groups given daily oral lutein/zexanthin supplementation (6 mg lutein, 0.6 mg zeaxanthin), topical lutein/zeaxanthin application (5% liquid), or both oral supplements and topical application, had improved their sensitivity to UV radiation by 4 times, 2 times, and 6 times, respectively.

Not only did the carotenoids protect the study participants’ skin from UV radiation damage, but the nutrients also improved the lipid (fat) content, hydration, and elasticity of the skin.

Sun exposure is the primary way for people to get the extremely important and often deficient vitamin D. At the same time, too much sun exposure can damage the skin. Good intake of lutein and zeaxanthin may help to offset this potential risk.

Sources of Lutein & Zeaxanthin

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Over the course of the last couple of years, there have been numerous articles and reports in the mainstream press on the negative effects of taking supplements. The most recent subject of scorn are antioxdiant supplements, which, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), apparently increase our risk of death.

The analysis, which pooled data from 68 studies involving more than 232,000 people, found no evidence that taking beta carotene, Vitamin A or Vitamin E extends life span and, in fact, indicated that the supplements increase the likelihood of dying by about 5 percent. Vitamin C and selenium appeared to have no impact — either way — on longevity …

… “The message is: We shouldn’t be putting anything in our mouths until we know whether it works,” said Christian Gluud of the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark, who led the study. “It appears as if these substances may be harmful.”

The Whole Story?

As a meta-review analysis (essentially an analysis of the existing body of research in aggregate), a key factor determining this study’s outcome is the selection of the studies to include in the analysis. As the study’s abstract notes, the meta-review included all randomized studies examining antioxidants in primary and secondary prevention trials published prior to October 2005.

But the researchers didn’t stop there. They then …

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An announcement that didn’t make the major newspaper headlines, but is nevertheless big news. Researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University (OSU) have discovered a new technique that allows them to observe and accurately measure the level of a key oxidant (superoxide) in animal cells.

Prior to this, there was no direct and accurate way to measure superoxide or its origin from the two places that produce it, the cell’s cytosol or mitochondria. Now there is.

With the new system developed at OSU, researchers can use a fluorescent microscope, a fairly standard laboratory tool, to actually see levels of superoxide and observe changes as experiments are performed with living cells.

Oxidation is a process that occurs naturally in the body — for example, in cell energy production and some immune reactions. As a result of the process, unstable atoms and molecules (e.g., free radicals such as superoxide) can be formed.

The body produces substances (e.g., glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase) that help to stabilize these atoms and molecules and prevent excessive damage and inflammation. We also take in anti-oxidants through our diet, in the form of different nutrients such as vitamins C and E, that help to neutralize these free radicals.

When these free radicals accumulate, cell structures can be damaged. This damage is believed to play an important role in many degenerative diseases, including ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and more.

The discovery of this technique will help researchers better understand what’s really happening in cells, as well as the effects of different potential treatments, and should help to speed research in many diseases. It’s definitely good news.