Lipoic Acid

Lipoic Acid, also called alpha lipoic acid, is a vitamin-like antioxidant for maintaining proper glucose metabolism and carries out important metabolic and antioxidant functions throughout the body.

Five Facts on Lipoic Acid Supplements: 

	Improves sperm quality and motility
	Protects female reproductive organ tissues from free radicals
	Vitamin C, Vitamin E, CoQ10, and Glutathione all require lipoic acid for efficient recycling in the body
	People with B1 deficiency need to supplement with Vitamin B1 if taking Lipoic Acid
	Recommended Fertility Dosage: 400mg

Lipioc Acid is a fatty acid found naturally inside every cell in the body.  Lipoic acid converts glucose (blood sugar) into energy.  It also provides antioxidant defense and disposes of free radicals.

The antioxidant effects of lipoic acid help to improve sperm motility and quality.  By helping the blody to be repair damaged tissue and from free radicals, lipoic acid protects the delicate tissue in female reproductive organs so they can function properly.  

Lipoic acid is not an essential nutrient and produced by the body, therefore deficiencies are not known to occur in humans. 

Food Sources of Lipoic Acid:

The body produces small amounts of lipoic acid. Food sources of lipoic acid have not been well researched, however it seems that spinach, broccoli, yams, yeast and organ meats (kidney, liver,heart) are considered to contain lipoic acid.

Supplements:

Vitamin C and E, Co Q10, and Glutathione all require lipoic acid for efficient recycling in the body. Defiiciency of these nutrients will in turn reduce the amount of lipoic acid the body makes. 

Those do not regularly consume organ meats, spinach, or brocoli can benefit from taking a lipoic acid supplement.

Dosage:

20-500 mg per day

Cautions:

 People deficient in vitamin B1, should take vitamin B1 along with alpha lipoic acid.