What is Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
ALA is a naturally occurring compound that serves many vital bodily functions at the cellular level, is also a powerful detoxifying agent and antioxidant, and serves a critical role in energy production. As a protective nutrient, ALA supports liver, neuronal and muscle cells, and removes toxins from the brain and other organs. ALA is important in regenerating the body’s levels of glutathione, and improves insulin receptor sensitivity which is prominent in type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. ALA protects against nerve oxidative damage, resulting in a beneficial effect on both the peripheral and central nervous system and also resulting in a positive influence on nerve conduction and nerve blood flow. Healthy people typically produce all the ALA they need for these purposes, but supplementation and IV infusion of ALA has become popular in recent years as a treatment for many health conditions and as a general anti-aging agent.
What is ALA used for?
ALA IV infusion therapy is used to treat peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain caused by diabetes, cancer treatment, nerve damage or other mechanisms. In addition to its effectiveness on chronic pain, ALA is used as an anti-aging agent, and in the treatment of dementia, cancer, and diabetes.
In addition to its popularity as an IV infusion therapy, ALA is one of the most popular and effective oral supplements, used for brain health and nerve pain reduction. ALA is one of the few nutrients able to cross the blood brain barrier, which is important for its detoxifying abilities. In fact, as a potent heavy metal chelator, ALA is effective in removing toxins from the brain and other organs.
At Westlake Aesthetics & Wellness, your Alpha Lipoic Acid IV infusion therapy treatment course will be decided upon by you and your medical provider. A typical treatment course for chronic pain is two to three infusions per week for three to four weeks, followed by maintenance infusions once every few months. The infusion is given in our spa-like infusion lounge, and you will be continuously monitored by Dr. Wills and his medical staff, optimizing your safety.