LIPOIC ACID
Lipoic acid is found in almost all foods, but slightly more so in kidney, heart, liver, spinach, broccoli, and yeast extract. Naturally occurring lipoic acid is always covalently bound and not immediately available from dietary sources. Additionally, the amount of lipoic acid present is very low. As a result, all lipoic acid available as a supplement is chemically synthesized. Since the early 1990s lipoic acid has been consumed as a dietary supplement, typical doses are 100–200 mg/day. Lipoic acid was first postulated to be an effective antioxidant when it was found it prevented the symptoms of vitamin C and vitamin E deficiency. Dihydro-lipoic acid is able to regenerate (reduce) antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E.
