At the normal level that alpha lipoic acid is produced in the human body, it acts as an essential coenzyme for carbohydrate metabolism for energy. It also has been shown, at normal body production levels to increase production of glutathione, which helps dissolve substances in the liver. Your body manufactures enough alpha lipoic acid for the basic metabolic functions of producing energy and dissolving some liver by-products. Additional supplementation with alpha lipoic acid may provide benefits beyond its involvement in carbohydrate metabolism.

At supplemented levels, alpha lipoic acid acts as a powerful and versatile antioxidant. Only when there is an excess and it is in the "free" state in the cells will alpha lipoic acid perform its antioxidant and rejuvenative actions. There is little free ALA circulating in your body, unless you consume supplements or get it injected. Foods contain only tiny amounts of alpha lipoic acid. An antioxidant helps neutralize free radicals in our bodies and protects our cells from damage. A free radical is an unstable molecule that tries to steal electrons from other molecules, thus causing damage. Smoking, pollution, car exhaust, stress, and fried foods are common sources of free radicals. The advantages of alpha lipoic acid as a supplement are: 1) it is easily absorbed into the blood stream; 2) it can also cross the blood brain barrier to perform as an effective brain antioxidant for clearing blood vessels and enhancing brain cell activity; 3) deactivates both fat and water soluble free radicals, protecting both lipoproteins and cellular membranes.