Acetyl L-Carnitine & alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid is an extremely powerful antioxidant that is able to operate in fatty tissue, such as the brain, where it has powerful free radical neutralising effects. Alpha Lipoic Acid is both water soluble and fat soluble and can regenerate endogenous antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C and glutathione and prevent oxidative damage. It is known that at least 30% of the Alpha Lipoic Acid required by the body is gained from supplementation.

Carnitine is an Amino Acid that facilitates energy production in all the body cells, but which can deplete as the body ages resulting in slower reaction times. Supplementation is therefore needed to avoid these low levels especially as we age.

In a recent article by James Chapman - Science correspondent of the Daily Mail, it was revealed that two over the counter pills might provide the cure against ageing. The dietary supplements are said to put the spark back into ageing rats. Now experts believe they may do the same for people. The pills are Acetyl L-Carnitine, taken as a therapy for low energy levels and heart disease, and alpha Lipoic Acid, a fatty acid used to protect the eye. Both contain chemicals normally found in the body's cells.

The supplements, when combined, produced amazing results. Professor Bruce Ames, a molecularbiologist at the University of California at Berkeley, who led the research, said: "The brain looksbetter, they are full of energy - everything we looked at looks more like a young animal". After a month on the supplements, the old rats became more active. Their memories also improved, "This is equivalent to making a 75 to 80-year-old person act middle-aged" said Prof Ames.