Article written by Eva Gaspar, Master of Herbology & Iridology
Medically Reviewed by William A. Gaspar MD, ABPS Board Certified IM Doctor
Let us talk about the role of A.L.A – also known as Alpha Lipoic Acid in IV treatments offered at Wellness Clinics.
For various reasons, our American population has been gaining weight faster compared to the people of other continents. Being overweight or obese bring with itself the fatty liver. That is the first stage of the 4 stages of Liver Fibrosis, the worst is the Liver Cirrhosis. The medical, dietary, genetic and historical reasons can be debated, but it remains the fact that there are increasing percentage of the obese and overweight population in the US. The causes seem to be multifactorial and not one single reason can be cited that would explain the unhealthy trends. According to some researchers, the main reasons could be the more sedentary lifestyle, the obvious lack of physical education curriculum in the schools. The fattening up of our society can also partially happen due to more sugary drinks and refined carbohydrates in our diet, larger servings offered in our restaurants. Some evidence points to the unhealthy eating habits, increased alcohol consumptions, sedentary lifestyle – that we favored during the long and painful years of the pandemic.
Recently, I asked my doctor husband who works as a hospitalist: – ‘tell me, what are your major concerns amongst the younger patients you admit to the hospital’?
His answer surprised me. I learned that there is apparently a growing segment in the population of younger and middle-aged people who are developing serious Liver Inflammation, Cirrhosis and new onset Diabetes Mellitus earlier than expected.
An increasing number of people in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s are showing up in the hospital with new onset Diabetes Mellitus, Liver Inflammation and even end-stage Liver Cirrhosis. The common denominator is the history of drinking excess alcohol. During the pandemic we had more time and more reasons to drink, and we ate un-healthy. The viral infection could have placed some undue burden on the function of the liver. Thus, people in their young middle-age had a few rough years and started showing up in the clinics, Emergency Rooms and hospitals with ascites fluid building up in their abdominal cavity, fluid edema of the legs and fluid even in their lungs, foretelling a shortened lifespan. The liver inflammation and in the worst-case scenarios, the stage 4 liver cirrhosis placed an undue burden on the returning venous blood through the liver. The portal vein, the main large vessel through the middle of the liver was squeezed so the blood would not get through easily and thus the fluid would accumulate mainly in the abdominal cavity and the lower part of the body. Young middle-aged patients who were seemingly healthy just a few years ago and may had a few extra drinks during hard times – now started showing up in the hospitals unexpectedly very sick. The doctors had to tell them that by the scoring system available they might have just a few more years to live and there is not much one can do about it. They were scheduled every few weeks to drain the fluid from the abdominal cavity and they were given diuretics, such as Lasix and Spironolactone to keep the fluid overload to a minimum. Now, some of these millennials, number of them who work in restaurants and the bar industry, and keeping with old habits would commonly have a few mixed drinks, vodka, gin and tonic and the likes during work hours, did not think that a little bit of partying during the long work shift would put them to the brink of health disaster of needing a liver transplant by age 40. My husband and I do not think that the millennial population has done anything different than the generations before them, but due to the unfortunate circumstances that surfaced during the last few years, even the stress of our times, the changing cosmic energy, who knows – everything seems a little worse.
Let us talk about the diet, exercise, stopping alcohol and the role of the Alpha Lipoic Acid in the treatment of Diabetes and the Liver Inflammation.
Anybody who is serious about reversing the inflammation in their fatty liver need to stop drinking alcohol. Period. The alcohol also effects the Pancreas, where the Insulin producing beta cells atrophy away. Now there are less insulin producing cells, so one needs to reduce the sugar and refined carbohydrates in the ir diet. Furthermore, even reduce the calorie intake altogether to place less burden on the insulin producing cells. Exercise will help to burn calories and to some extent revitalize the function of the beta cells. Taking some of the supplements that help the metabolic process can help, supplements that help the liver are also beneficial, but they are more preventative at the beginning of the process than curative at the end.
The Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) IV treatment is at least partially, other times more significantly helpful restoring some of the function to the liver cells. That can give years or decades to the life expectancy of someone who developed Liver Inflammation, which is now at least the second or the third stage of liver fibrosis. At that point doing something with diet, exercise, alcohol cessation is still very beneficial. The 4th and the last stage are, the Liver Cirrhosis, where people start having the shrinking and scarring of the inflamed liver, which is more difficult to turn around, but not totally impossible. We have seen people who were told that nothing they can do, but still they were able to go from the stage 3 or 4 of liver disease down to stage 1 or 2.
How does Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) help the liver? ALA is a natural substance found in our cells, and it is one of the rates limiting step in the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the engines in the cells that produce energy. The more energy the liver cells can produce – within reasons, – the better regenerating capability they have. The increase in energy production in the cells revitalize part of the liver that now can function better. It detoxifies our body, it makes important enzymes, clotting factors, proteins, albumin, blood products, all of which is extremely important to maintain a healthy body. This is what Life Extension Magazine writes about the benefits of ALA. (Article reviewed by Gary Gonzalez, MD).
“Given the rising epidemic of diabetes and its devastating complications, natural strategies that support healthy blood sugar (glucose) and protect against oxidative stress offer hope for many individuals. Metabolic syndrome – a combination of risk factors, such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low (levels of) high density lipoprotein (HDL) – increase one’s risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Widely known as a potent and effective antioxidant, lipoic acid demonstrates a multitude of unique properties.
Regulated as a drug in several European countries (where it is approved for the treatment of diabetes related complications, certain complications of alcoholism, and a variety of liver conditions), lipoic acid is an important component of every informed individual’s health maintenance regime”.
We know from research that ALA is also beneficial for diabetic neuropathy and chemotherapy induced neuropathy. It promotes better eye health, benefits people with glaucoma, improves bone density, migraine and stroke problems. It helps to amplify the positive effects of glutathione, which is also a natural antioxidant, just like ALA. When ALA is combined with the glutathione, coenzyme Q10 and the IV Vitamin C – a waters-soluble antioxidant, the body’s ability to fight free radicals is greatly increased. ALA is a great metal chelator, removing dangerous lead, mercury, arsenic from the body. Studies proved that it has anti-inflammatory effect and can help multiple sclerosis patients. ALA along with NAD+ is one of the best anti-aging medicines on the market. With so much positive health effects, one wonders when will it become an FDA approved medication in the US.
