R Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA) is an extraordinary antioxidant that can protect cells, including brain and nerve cells, from free radicals and toxins.  But it not only acts as a powerful antioxidant, it also protects the brain cells by binding up unbound transition metals such as copper, iron and cadmium. This prevents Fenton reactions from happening (a process that occurs when transition metals come in contact with hydrogen peroxide, and through which the molecule is torn apart, forming two molecules of the toxic hydroxyl radical).

Besides transition metals damaging the brain when coming into contact with free radicals, there is also evidence which suggests that an excess of transition metals in various areas of the brain is a central factor in many neurological disorders. For instance, people with Parkinson’s disease have high levels of iron in exactly those cells of the brain which are affected by the disease. Similar rapport has been observed between other transition metals and diseases like Huntington’s, Friedreich ataxia, primary dystonia and Alzheimer’s.

I will present two studies below that show how R Alpha Lipoic Acid can protect brain cells.

In the first study scientists looked at the levels of iron in the brains of young, middle-aged, late-middle aged, and old lab animals. As they had expected, the older the animal, the more iron it had in its brain, though there were variations from one part of the brain to another. Another thing they found was that the more iron was present in a given part of the brain, the lower the level of vitamin C was in that area.

After just two weeks, the forebrains of the old animals which were given R Alpha Lipoic Acid were found to have 60% less iron buildup, and to have undergone a substantial restoration of the vitamin C levels, as compared to unsupplemented animals in the same age group.

In another study nerve cells from various parts of the brain were exposed to BSO (buthionine sulfoxamine, a chemical that makes cells more vulnerable to free radicals). Between one half and one third of the brain cells that would otherwise have died, were saved by providing them with R Alpha Lipoic Acid. (The results varied from one part of the brain to another). By contrast, neither the S form, nor the racemente (R&S) (the lipoic acid found in common supplements) offered any significant protection.

In conclusion, the results vary from one part of the brain to another, but it is obviously clear that R Alpha Lipoic Acid can protect the brain cells from free radical damage and transition metals negative effects. While the R Alpha Lipoic Acid proved to be beneficial in many cases, the S form and the racemic mixture (which is found in common lipoic acid supplements) were either less efficient or totally useless.

Reference;

Suh J, Rocha A, Shigeno E, Frei B, Hagen TM. (R)-alpha-lipoic acid supplementation of old rats decreases age-dependent accumulation of iron and ascorbate depletion in brain. AGE. 1999 Jul; 22(3):121(Abs 19).

Lockhart B, Jones C, Cuisinier C, Villain N, Peyroulan D, Lestage P. Inhibition of L-homocysteic acid and buthionine sulphoximine-mediated neurotoxicity in rat embryonic neuronal cultures with alpha-lipoic acid enantiomers. Brain Res. 2000 Feb 14;855(2):292-7.