ACID LIPOIC HELPS TO SYNCHRONIZE THE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK
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Supplements of lipoic acid
The researchers found a surprisingly wide range of biological effects related to a micronutrient called lipoic acid: in fact it is able to restore and synchronize circadian rhythms, ol '"biological clock" that is found in most forms of life.
The ability of 'lipoic acid to help restore a more normal circadian rhythm may explain its value in many important biological functions, resistance to stress, hormonal balance, performance, muscle glucose metabolism and also to the aging process .
The discoveries were made by some of the biochemical Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, and published in "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications" a professional journal. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, through the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Lipoic acid has been in recent years at the center of a growing research by scientists around the world who continue to find previously unknown effects of this micronutrient. As an antioxidant and essential compound for aerobic metabolism, lipoic acid is found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli.
"This could be a step forward in our understanding of why lipoic acid is so important and how it works," stated Tory Hagen and Helen P. Rumbel, Professor of Healthy Aging Research, Linus Pauling Institute, and professor of biochemistry and biophysics at 'OSU College of Science.
"Circadian rhythms are day-night cycles that affect the ebb and flow of biological processes critical newspapers," said Hagen. "More than enhances our understanding of them, the more they are involved in many aspects of life." Nearly one-third of the genes are influenced by circadian rhythms, and when the rhythms are out of balance can occur circardiani cancer, heart disease, inflammation, hormonal imbalance etc..
Of particular importance is the dysfunction of circadian rhythms with increasing age. "In the old animals, including humans elderly, it is known that circadian rhythms are altered and certain enzymes do not work efficiently, as they should," said Keith Dove, a researcher at the Linus Pauling Institute. "If lipoic acid offers a way to help restore and synchronize circadian rhythms, could be very significant." said Keith.
In particular, scientists have studied '"circadian clock" of the liver. Lipid metabolism by the liver is important for normal energy consumption, and a dysfunctional metabolism can promote the "metabolic syndrome", which puts millions of people at risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
The researchers conducted an experiment on laboratory animals and found that lipoic acid has been a valuable aid in hepatic dysfunction, common in old age, and significantly improved the function of circadian rhythms.
In previous research, scientists had found that the amount of lipoic acid that may help the liver function was more than what could normally be taken through the diet.
The primary objective of the research of the Linus Pauling Institute and the OSU Center for Healthy Aging Research is to promote the ability to live a long and healthy life. The research sull'acido lipoic acid could facilitate the achievement of this goal. The research will explore more deeply the role of lipoic acid in the circadian function, and optimal levels of intake needed to improve health.
Source: Worldhealth
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Supplements of lipoic acid