In addition to its role as a powerful antioxidant, ALA is critical to mitochondrial health. Mitochondria are tiny organelles inside human cells that help convert glucose to ATP, the energy molecule, through a series of chemical reactions. Lipoic acid is a highly essential cofactor in the mitochondrial energy production cycle that enables cellular respiration and ATP production. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to aging and disease in humans, and ALA supports mitochondrial health.

ALA is also fundamental to the breakdown of amino acids, the essential elements of proteins that are vital to new cell production. Your body’s cells are continually turning over, replacing old dying cells with new ones. As we age, cellular turnover naturally slows down. Insufficient levels of lipoic acid can reduce your body’s ability to replace old cells, which can speed up the aging process.

Your body makes a small amount of ALA on its own, and a nutrient-rich diet of vegetables and humanely sourced red meat gives you the building blocks to produce sufficient amounts for optimal health. Nevertheless, some people need to supplement ALA to manage and overcome certain health conditions, through oral supplements or via IV infusion therapy.