There are so many different ways to naturally support your body in its fight against diabetes. One way to boost your pancreas and support your body is with alpha lipoic acid (ALA).
The best part of ALA (besides the four benefits below) is that it is both water and fat soluble. Normally, we find that vitamins are best taking with water or with fat. If a fat-soluble substance is eaten without any fat, then your body won’t digest it, and you will lose the vitamin the next time you urinate.
This is why multi-vitamins are best taken with food so that everything is absorbed and assimilated.
As far as ALA, you can take it with whatever you eat or drink. Here are four reasons to start including ALA in your diabetic diet:
#1 It Improves Insulin Sensitivity
In supplement form, a few studies have shown that it can improve insulin sensitivity. The pancreas produces insulin in response to blood glucose levels. In certain types of diabetes, the body loses its sensitivity to insulin so that glucose is never properly metabolized. Adding ALA to your diet can help with that.
ALA also protects against diabetic neuropathy, which is the classic symptom of numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Neuropathy is due to nerve damage, and a diet rich in ALA can help avoid it.
#2 Improves Cognitive Functioning
ALA is often recommended to improve memory, reduce neuron damage, improve cognitive functioning, and protect against natural aging. The antioxidant activity of ALA is partly to thank as it protects against oxidative stress in the brain. The other factor that makes ALA powerful in the brain is that it can easily cross the protective blood-brain barrier, unlike most other substances.
#3 Improves Eye Health
The antioxidant activity in ALA is effective in combatting oxidative stress. Diabetes significantly increases the risk of eye damage due to retinopathy, as a result of damaged blood vessels related to diabetes. ALA can be helpful in combatting the dommage inflicted to the eyes.
#4 It May Lower Blood Pressure
A recent study demonstrated that ALA in supplement form may lower blood pressure. Overall, ALA may also protect against metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight) altogether. By keeping these factors within a healthy range, you are supporting your body against diabetes.
Where to Find ALA
So where can you get ALA, naturally? Here is a quick list to get you started:
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Rice Bran
- Brussel sprouts
- Beets
- Green Peas
- Tomatoes
[expand title=”References“]
Dr. Axe. URL link. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
Superfoodly. URL link. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
[/expand]
