Article Summary:
- Red meat and organ meats, including the heart, kidneys, and liver, as well as leafy green vegetables and rice bran, are typical dietary sources of lipoic acid.
- Dietary supplements provide a significantly higher amount of lipoic acid than can be obtained through a diet containing lipoic acid-rich foods.
- The proprietary nutrient delivery nanotechnology developed by Tesseract Medical Research enables unprecedented absorption and enhanced bioavailability of lipoic acid.
Lipoic acid, also known as alpha-lipoic acid, is an essential cofactor for mitochondrial enzymes and plays a critical role in mitochondrial energy metabolism.* Its potent antioxidant properties address various health conditions associated with oxidative stress, as it effectively neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen, superoxide radicals, and hydroxyl radicals.* Additionally, lipoic acid acts as a detoxification agent, supports the regulation of cellular glucose uptake, and modulates several critical cell signaling pathways.*
R-lipoic acid is also known for regulating insulin sensitivity and secretion, thereby promoting glucose metabolism. It helps maintain the optimal functioning of the thyroid gland and has been found to exert beneficial effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in rats. It also plays a therapeutic role in promoting male and female reproductive health.
The human body innately synthesizes R-lipoic acid, which is also found in certain foods and is covalently bound to lysine residues within proteins. This article highlights lipoic acid-rich foods that should be part of a balanced diet, along with considerations for adding a lipoic acid supplement to your diet to further promote your overall health.*
Lipoic Acid-Rich Foods: An Overview
Although lipoic acid is present in various foods derived from plant and animal sources, there is limited quantitative information on the precise lipoic acid content in food. Lipoic acid primarily, but transiently, accumulates in the liver, heart, and skeletal muscles. Naturally, animal tissues with high lipoic acid content include the heart, liver, kidneys, and muscle meats. Vegetables such as spinach and broccoli also contain lipoic acid. A relatively lower amount of lipoic acid is present in peas, tomatoes, and brussel sprouts.
The following table highlights lipoic acid-rich food sources you can include in your diet.
Lipoic Acid-Rich Foods List |
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|---|---|
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Muscle meats and Organ Meats |
Red meat, animal muscle meats, and organ meats, such as heart, liver, and kidney, are rich in lipoic acid. |
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Fruits and Vegetables |
Spinach, broccoli, carrots, beets, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and Brussels sprouts. |
|
Yeast extract |
Certain yeast extracts, such as Brewer’s yeast, also contain lipoic acid. |
Although lipoic acid is available from the above sources, it is not likely that a significant amount is consumed through a diet of lipoic acid-rich foods. The concentrations of lipoic acid in dietary supplements (ranging from 50 to 600 mg per serving) are almost 1,000 times higher than the amounts that could be obtained from the diet alone.
The bioavailability of lipoic acid is likely influenced by multiple carrier proteins and can varry between its two isomers—R-lipoic acid and S-lipoic acid. Following oral administration, the peak plasma concentrations of R-lipoic acid have been found1,2 to be 40-50 percent higher than S-lipoic acid, suggesting a better absorption of the R-enantiomer. Additionally, the overall bioavailability of lipoic acid fluctuates depending on its intake as a free acid or salt and whether it is taken with or without a meal.
An advanced lipoic acid supplement formulation can address the nutrient’s absorption and bioavailability challenges to help achieve its health benefits.*
Introducing An Advanced Lipoic Acid Supplement in Your Diet
Tesseract Medical Research has developed a groundbreaking R-lipoic acid supplement formulation, which can be a suitable alternative to lipoic acid-rich foods. Tesseract’s RLA Pro SR® is formulated with lipoic acid’s R isomer for optimal absorption and bioavailability. Tesseract’s proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology solubilizes R-lipoic acid, ensuring its delivery through the gut wall for unprecedented absorption and bioavailability. This enhanced bioavailability of lipoic acid allows for micro-dosing in a single capsule, utilizing lesser amounts of the nutrient than previously required to achieve powerful and immediate physiological responses.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing absorption and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support your endocrine health.*
Citations:
1Maglione E, et al. Increasing bioavailability of (R)-alpha-lipoic acid to boost antioxidant activity in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Acta Bio-Medica : Atenei Parmensis vol. 86,3 226-33. 14 Dec. 2015
2 Ikuta N, et al. Bioavailability of an R-α-Lipoic Acid/γ-Cyclodextrin Complex in Healthy Volunteers. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(6):949. doi:10.3390/ijms17060949
