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Old 02-14-2007, 11:29 PM
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In Remembrance
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
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15 yr Member
reverett123 reverett123 is offline
In Remembrance
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,772
15 yr Member
Default Alpha Lipoic Acid and Acetyl-L-Carnitine

From: Altern Med Rev. 2006 Sept;11(3):232-237.

Alpha-lipoic acid- Monograph.


[No authors listed]

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA - also known as thioctic acid) was discovered in 1951 as
a molecule that assists in acyl-group transfer and as a coenzyme in the Krebs
cycle. In the 1980s, the scientific community realized alpha-lipoic acid is a
powerful antioxidant. Several qualities distinguish alpha-lipoic acid from other
antioxidants: ALA can be synthesized by animals and humans; it neutralizes free
radicals in both the fatty and watery regions of cells, in contrast to vitamin C
(water soluble) and vitamin E (fat soluble); and, ALA functions as an
antioxidant in both its reduced and oxidized forms.

Mechanisms of Action
Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant in both fat- and water-soluble mediums. Furthermore, its antioxi-
dant activity extends to both its oxidized and reduced forms. DHLA is capable of directly regenerating ascorbic
acid from dehydroascorbic acid and indirectly regenerating vitamin E. Researchers have also found ALA increases
intracellular glutathione and coenzyme Q levels.
Alpha-lipoic acid appears capable of chelating certain metals. It forms stable complexes with copper, man-
ganese, and zinc.
In animal studies, it has been found to protect against arsenic poisoning, and, in both animal
and in vitro studies, ALA reduced cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity. In vitro, ALA chelated mercury from renal
slices.



1: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003 Nov;58(11):970-4.

Carnitine: a neuromodulator in aged rats.


Juliet PA, Balasubramaniam D, Balasubramaniam N, Panneerselvam C.

Department of Geriatrics, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.

A wide range of morphological and biochemical changes occur in the central
nervous system with increasing age. L-carnitine, a naturally occurring compound,
plays a vital role in fatty acid transport across the mitochondrial membrane.
L-carnitine (300 mg/kg body wt/day) was administered intraperitoneally to young
and old male Wistar rats for 7, 14, and 21 days. Carnitine, dopamine,
epinephrine, and serotonin levels were assayed in discrete regions of the brain.
Carnitine supplementation increased the levels of dopamine, epinephrine, and
serotonin in the experimental animals in our study. Response to carnitine
supplementation varied among the brain regions that have been studied. The
regions rich in cholinergic neurons such as the cortex, hippocampus, and
striatum showed more response after 21 days of carnitine treatment. The results
of the present study suggest the role of L-carnitine as a neuromodulator and
antiaging medication.

PMID: 14630876 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Born in 1953, 1st symptoms and misdiagnosed as essential tremor in 1992. Dx with PD in 2000.
Currently (2011) taking 200/50 Sinemet CR 8 times a day + 10/100 Sinemet 3 times a day. Functional 90% of waking day but fragile. Failure at exercise but still trying. Constantly experimenting. Beta blocker and ACE inhibitor at present. Currently (01/2013) taking ldopa/carbadopa 200/50 CR six times a day + 10/100 form 3 times daily. Functional 90% of day. Update 04/2013: L/C 200/50 8x; Beta Blocker; ACE Inhib; Ginger; Turmeric; Creatine; Magnesium; Potassium. Doing well.
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