Alpha Lipoic Acid has been shown to reduce iron buildup in the brain and inhibit excess iron accumulation. While there does not appear to be studies regarding iron and ALA in other body tissues, I see no reason why ALA would not protect them as well.
- Steve N http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/la/index.html "Metal Chelation: Redox-active metal ions, such as free iron and copper, can induce oxidative damage by catalyzing reactions that generate highly reactive free radicals (24). Compounds that chelate (bind) free metal ions in a way that prevents them from generating free radicals offer promise in the treatment of neurodegenerative and other chronic diseases, in which metal-induced oxidative damage may play a role (25). Both LA and DHLA have been found to inhibit copper- and iron-mediated oxidative damage in the test tube (26, 27), and to inhibit excess iron and copper accumulation in animal models (28, 29). 28. Yamamoto H, Watanabe T, Mizuno H, et al. The antioxidant effect of DL-alpha-lipoic acid on copper-induced acute hepatitis in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats. Free Radic Res. 2001;34(1):69-80. (PubMed) 29. Suh JH, Moreau R, Heath SH, Hagen TM. Dietary supplementation with (R)-alpha-lipoic acid reverses the age-related accumulation of iron and depletion of antioxidants in the rat cerebral cortex. Redox Rep. 2005;10(1):52-60. (PubMed)" http://www.advice-hgh.com/ala/blood-and-iron.html "As mentioned above, lipoic acid chelates transition metals, binding them tightly and preventing them from going on a "Fenton frenzy." More specifically, R(+)-Lipoic Acid is superior to the S(-)- in controlling the acceleration of free radical damage by copper 54 Likewise, lipoic acid can protect cells from the toxic heavy transition metal cadmium through chelation, but it only becomes effective when charged up into its DHLA form; 55 since the body makes DHLA from R(+)-Lipoic Acid much more quickly than happens with the S(-)-form, 37 , 39 that should mean that R(+)-Lipoic Acid gives stronger protection against cadmium toxicity than the S(-)-form. And what about iron? The ability of the racemate to tie up iron is well-established,30 although unfortunately no studies that we know of have compared the iron-chelating protection provided by the racemate with the powers of R(+)-lipoic acid. But there's only been one study to see if lipoic acid might be able to protect the brain of a living, breathing organism against damage from excessive iron buildup - and that study used R(+)-lipoic acid. 56 In this study, 56 scientists looked at the levels of iron in the brains of young, middle-aged, late-middle aged, and old lab animals. Not surprisingly, the older the animal, the more iron it had in its brain, though how much more depended on what part of the brain the researchers looked at. When they looked at levels of vitamin C in these areas, the scientists consistently found that the more iron was present in a given part of the brain at a given age, the lower was the level of vitamin C - suggesting that the presence of iron was depleting the brain of its antioxidant defense forces. Remarkably, at the end of an experiment that lasted just two weeks, the forebrains of old animals which were given R(+)-Lipoic Acid in their food were found to have 60% less iron buildup, and to have undergone a "substantial restoration" of antioxidant defenses (as measured by vitamin C levels), as compared to unsupplemented animals in the same age group. No significant differences were seen in other brain areas; however, one wonders if a mere two weeks may simply not have been enough time to mobilize the iron accumulation from structures located deeper within the brain. Either way, this study - combined with the other known neuroprotective effects of lipoic acid (and especially the R(+)-form) - suggests that R(+)-Lipoic Acid shows promise in the prevention (and, perhaps, even the treatment) of several devastating neurological diseases." -----Original Message----- From: sol [mailto:sol...@sweetwaterhsa.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 9:21 AM To: silver-list@eskimo.com Subject: Re: CS>Vit C increases iron uptake At 04:28 AM 1/26/2010, you wrote: >But iron overload is really scary - >it even causes cancer. Yes, iron overload is very scary, and since it is so rarely even looked for, I believe it is way underdiagnosed, and since the "normal lab range" for ferritin is averaged from people who were apparently not screened for iron overload, the upper limit of the range is way too high. I do not believe I have genetic hemochromatosis, but there are other reasons for people to load too much iron. I was only mid-range when I started de-ironing. But I didn't want to wait until I had organ damage, diabetes, or cancer. My family health history on both sides is heavy in the diseases most often associated with iron overload, colon cancer, diabetes, thyroid problems, heart disease. My latest doctor took a look at my very low ferritin (I had donated blood too often) and freaked. I fired her last week for ordering an "anemia" panel instead of a single ferritin test. I am sure if I was subject to being intimidated by doctors she would have me on high dose iron supplements or even iron IVs. I complained to the practice manager and requested to be not charge or re-imbursed for the extra lab tests that I did not authorize nor request. I am feeling really uneasy about doing that, because there are only 3 doctors in this town, all employed by the single clinic, but I am sick and tired of "paying and shutting up" (I am paying out of pocket for these tests". sol -- The Silver List is a moderated forum for discussing Colloidal Silver. 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