Are You Ready?! Researchers announced they have identified the mechanism of action of lipoic acid, a remarkable compound that in animal experiments appears to slow down the process of aging, improve blood flow, enhance immune function and perform many other functions.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is a vitamin-like antioxidant that is produced naturally in the body. As a free radical scavenger, it is unique because it is both fat and water soluble. It is easily absorbed and transported across cell membranes offering protection (against free radicals) both inside and outside the cell. Other antioxidants only provide extra cellular protection.

“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.”

What the OSU researchers now believe is that the role of lipoic acid is not so much a direct one to benefit cells, but rather an indirect aid that “kick starts” declining function in cells and helps them recover the functions that came more easily and naturally in young animals.

In various effects, lipoic acid appears to help restore a cellular “signaling” process that tends to break down in older blood vessels. It reduces mitochondrial decay in cells, which is closely linked to the symptoms of aging. With age, Glutathione levels naturally decline, making older animals more susceptible to both free radicals and other environmental toxins – but, lipoic acid can restore Glutathione function to near normal. And the expression and function of other genes seems to come back to life.

“We never really expected such a surprising range of benefits from one compound,” Hagen said. “This is really unprecedented, and we’re pretty excited about it.”

This is exciting news and House of Nutrition has some incredible bargains right now on supplements.  Stop by and check out our low prices on Alpha lipoic Acid supplements:

Jarrow’s Formula – Alpha Lipoic Acid 100mg is very popular.

But these are great too!

Country Life’s – Biochem Lipoic Acid 100mg

Food Science’s – Alpha Lipoic Acid 60Caps

Kal’s – Alpha Lipoic Acid 100mg

Best Health,

-Jeanne Ricks, CHC, AADP

1. Call your mom (or anyone else who may take the place of ‘mom’ from time to time) for NO reason whatsoever. Have no motive. Just say hi. Ask them how they’re doing. Don’t talk about yourself. Moms LOVE this kind of stuff.

2. Find somewhere local that you can volunteer for one hour this week. It takes 3 minutes (Google or craigslist: 1 min + possible 2 min for email/phone call). A lot of gyms & studios (the YMCA included) will trade off volunteer hours for classes – great way for some instant Karma rewards. Go.

3. Call an old friend. Take 30 minutes out of Tumblr/Facebook/TV time and actually dial the digits. It’s not as scary as you might think. No pick up? On to the next. Speaking to a friend at least once a week can enhance friendships. Texting? Not so much (and I’m the queen of texting, I hate talking on the phone). Aside from a good thumb workout, texting doesn’t enrich. We like voice.

4. Bake something for someone else. Depending on your goals, you might not want to keep baked goods easily available, but what happens when you want ONE cookie? Make the full recipe for others. Tons of healthy recipes out there: always good to give someone something fresh. Bring them to work, school, the gym etc. (beware of allergy policies) and, if it’s healthy, print out a few copies of the recipe & nutritional content. It makes you feel good.

5. Go read. A real book, with pages. If you’re not used to reading, find something short, perhaps an old favorite. Sit under a tree. Seriously, when’s the last time you DID that? Feels good, your brain will feel alive after. (turn off your cell phone)

6. Wake up early and MAKE breakfast at home. Eggs, bacon, toast, scramble, parfait. Sit and eat your breakfast without rushing. It’s an awesome way to feel ‘weekend-y’ during the week.

7. Go for a walk. Yup, that’s it. Walk. Outside.

8. Compliment your friends on things they DO or how they make you FEEL. “I admired how organized you are”. “You make me feel calm.” “I think you’re really great at _______ “. Avoid commenting on their looks for one day. Try it.

The list could go on and on. What would you include?  What’s on your instant-karma list?