Lipoic acid

is an organosulfur compound, one enantiomer of which is an essential cofactor for many enzyme complexes. This yellow solid is a carboxylic acid and features a cyclic disulfide, or ditholane ring, functional group. The R-enantiomer is biosynthesized and used as a cofactor. It is essential for aerobic life and is a common and sometimes controversial dietary supplement. It is usually called "lipoic acid," but this is not the form it takes in life. dihydrolipoic acid is the reduced form which is mostly how the sulfurs exist intracellularly.

"Lipoate" is the conjugate base of lipoic acid, and this is the form carboxyl...

Lipoic acid

is an organosulfur compound, one enantiomer of which is an essential cofactor for many enzyme complexes. This yellow solid is a carboxylic acid and features a cyclic disulfide, or ditholane ring, functional group. The R-enantiomer is biosynthesized and used as a cofactor. It is essential for aerobic life and is a common and sometimes controversial dietary supplement. It is usually called "lipoic acid," but this is not the form it takes in life. dihydrolipoic acid is the reduced form which is mostly how the sulfurs exist intracellularly.

"Lipoate" is the conjugate base of lipoic acid, and this is the form carboxylic acids take at physiological conditions. So free lipoic acid inside the cell could correctly be called dihydrolipoate. Most intracellular lipoic acid is not free, because it is made and attached to the enzyme complexes that use it. As a cofactor it is covalently bound via and amide bond to a specific lysine residue of lipoyl domains. One of the most visible roles of lipoic acid is as a cofactor in aerobic metabolism, specifically the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Lipoate participates in transfer of acyl or methylamine groups in 2-oxoacid dehydrogenases (2-OADH) and glycine cleavage complexes (GCV), respectively.

All new to me.

The important thing to remember is that despite what some people might try to tell you, our bodies do not need antioxidants. Our bodies have perfectly adequate processes for antioxidizing themselves.

However, if these supplements help with certain conditions, especially in conjunction with other medications/treatments, then they need to be examined. It may not necessarily be the antioxidant nature of lipoic acid that causes these results, even.

Having a varied and well-rounded diet that includes foods from all the major food groups will usually give you all of those types of chemicals that you need to stay healthy, so supplements are only necessary if you aren't eating healthy. Note...

The important thing to remember is that despite what some people might try to tell you, our bodies do not need antioxidants. Our bodies have perfectly adequate processes for antioxidizing themselves.

However, if these supplements help with certain conditions, especially in conjunction with other medications/treatments, then they need to be examined. It may not necessarily be the antioxidant nature of lipoic acid that causes these results, even.

Having a varied and well-rounded diet that includes foods from all the major food groups will usually give you all of those types of chemicals that you need to stay healthy, so supplements are only necessary if you aren't eating healthy. Note, also, that vegetarianism isn't healthy eating, either. Despite what some fad dietitians might tell you, some animal source protein is essential for good health. Not a whole lot, but some.

Be careful about turning your back on "synthetic pharmaceuticals", Deb. Some of those might just be exactly what you need most for some conditions. Natural isn't always better.

Most importantly, though, if you're supplementing your diet, it is very important to consult a doctor and/or pharmacist in doing so. Those people are professionals in dealing with using chemicals — both natural and synthetic — to boost your health, and unlike most "Natural Supplement Experts", doctors and pharmacists actually have extensive, specific training in what chemicals/supplements can cause negative effects in your bodies; especially when combined with other drugs/supplements. Certain supplements/natural prod...

Be careful about turning your back on "synthetic pharmaceuticals", Deb. Some of those might just be exactly what you need most for some conditions. Natural isn't always better.

Most importantly, though, if you're supplementing your diet, it is very important to consult a doctor and/or pharmacist in doing so. Those people are professionals in dealing with using chemicals — both natural and synthetic — to boost your health, and unlike most "Natural Supplement Experts", doctors and pharmacists actually have extensive, specific training in what chemicals/supplements can cause negative effects in your bodies; especially when combined with other drugs/supplements. Certain supplements/natural products can actually cause a reduced, or even opposite effect from certain chemicals/drugs. The most commonly known is the Grapefruit Juice Effect; Grapefruit juice can cause certain drugs to have no effect, or even the exact opposite effect; hence the reason why you should never take medications/vitamins/supplements with grapefruit juice.

So the upshot is, if you're going to use natural treatments/supplements, make sure you consult with an actual medical professional before you do so. You can do more harm than good.