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ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID (ALA): A POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT
Alpha-lipoic
acid is an antioxidant used in Europe to restore liver health. It
confers protective benefits against oxidative processes involved
in degenerative diseases. It is more potent than vitamins C, E,
and Co-Q10, and according to Dr. Ester Packer, professor of molecular
biology at UC Berkley, alpha-lipoic acid may be the most important
antioxidant ever discovered:
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Vitamins
C, E and glutathione work together to deactivate and prevent
free radicals from causing uncontrolled damage in the body.
But at this stage we run into a limiting factor regarding
availability of glutathione, which is an important free-radical
deactivator offering protection against cataract formation,
as well as immune enhancement, liver protection, cancer protection,
and heavy-metal detoxification.
When taken
orally like Vitamins C and E, glutathione is broken down in
the stomach before it reaches the bloodstream. What does end
up being absorbed can raise serum levels, but the effect inside
of the cells is minimal.
Alpha-lipoic
acid is the missing link. Not only is ALA a powerful antioxidant
in its own right, but it also regenerates glutathione, giving
cells a double dose of antioxidant protection. In addition,
it is easily absorbed when taken orally, and once inside cells
it is quickly converted to its most potent form, dihydrolipoic
acid, which is an even more potent free-radical neutralizer
than ALA. Because both alpha-lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic
acid are antioxidants, their combined actions give them greater
antioxidant potency than any other natural antioxidant now
known.
Scientists
have also found that lipoic acid can inhibit replication of
HIV-1 and other viruses through its ability to bind directly
to DNA. (47)
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Dr. Packer and
Chandan K. Sen, a researcher from Finland, have described how alpha-lipoic
acid regulates aspects of the immune system, and in particular,
immune cells called T-lymphocytes. These two researchers, along
with other scientists, have reported how alpha-lipoic acid may help
people with HIV:
| ALA inhibits
growth of HIV more effectively than NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
….alpha-lipoic acid completely inhibited activation of a gene
in the AIDS virus that allows it to reproduce. |
Early in 1995,
shortly after my diagnosis of hepatitis C, I was consulting my brother
Dwain about my will. Dwain exists in Oregon in a somewhat unusual
way. Apparently he has a radio, for it was Dwain who told me he
was listening to a doctor on a talk radio program out of Seattle,
who was treating hepatitis C with 50,000 mg. injections of Vitamin
C twice daily in combination with alpha-lipoic acid. ALA is a co-factor
in the multi-enzyme complex that catalyzes the last stage of the
process called glycolysis.
Please keep
in mind, I'm not a doctor. I am a patient, who was very disappointed
after spending a fortune trying to get information from doctors,
and who then set out on my own to save my life. I'm sure many readers
won't realize what a horrendous quest this was or how devastated
I was by what I discovered about our institutions.
I may write
things you find offensive, while others may find them quite hilarious.
I don't mean to transmit any insults; this is just the way I see
it. Being at the "DOOR OF DEATH" is very different than merely contemplating
it.
Truth is stranger
than fiction. This book is about truth. It's about me. I'm well;
I tested negative for hepatitis C on April 10, 1997. My last test
was on October 5, 2001. The results were as follows: PCR HCV RNA
QUANTA-TATIVE NON-DETECTED. ALT 13; AST 17.
The remedy I
put before you worked for me, and it has proven to be successful
on several hundred others. Healers have used many parts of this
remedy all over the world since ancient times. A very small segment
of health care professionals - including naturopaths, acupuncturists,
chiropractors, and other kinds of holistic healers - have also learned
things beyond what the FDA allows.
Alpha-lipoic
acid occurs naturally in potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, yams,
and red meat. I take additional alpha-lipoic acid every day, and
know it has been vital in my battle and success with hepatitis C.
During my
treatment I took:
Two 100 mg. lipoic acid capsules two times per day.
Today, I suggest taking one 200 mg. lipoic acid capsule three times
per day.
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