alpha-lipoic acid
Meaning of alpha-lipoic acid: Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound that helps cells convert nutrients into energy and also functions as an antioxidant.
Definition of alpha-lipoic acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is a compound produced naturally by the body and found in small amounts in foods such as organ meats and certain vegetables. Within cells, it functions as a cofactor for enzyme complexes involved in converting nutrients into usable energy, particularly within mitochondria, the structures responsible for most of a cell's energy production.
Alpha-lipoic acid also acts as an antioxidant, meaning it can help neutralize reactive byproducts of normal metabolism that would otherwise damage nearby cell structures. Because of this property, it is sold as a dietary supplement and has been studied for a variety of possible uses, including for diabetic nerve related symptoms, though findings across this research remain mixed rather than firmly established.
Alpha-lipoic acid can also be manufactured synthetically for use in supplements, distinct from the smaller amount the body produces and obtains through diet.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
The patient reported taking an over the counter alpha-lipoic acid supplement.
Good to know
Alpha-lipoic acid is available as an over the counter supplement, and research into its effects on nerve related symptoms has produced mixed results rather than a firmly established benefit.
Word origin
Where “alpha-lipoic acid” comes from
Formed from Greek lipos, meaning fat, the root shared with lipid, with alpha indicating the specific position of a chemical group on the molecule.