Will Alpha Lipoic Acid Reduce Wrinkles?
Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant naturally made by the human body. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which are waste products produced by your body when it converts the food you eat into energy. Free radicals damage cells and can lead to premature aging. Regular use of alpha lipoic acid may reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Does this Spark an idea?
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Available Forms
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Alpha lipoic acid is available in various moisturizing face creams and supplements. It also occurs naturally in many foods, including broccoli, spinach, organ meats and red meat. Consuming foods and supplements containing alpha lipoic acid is an effective method for delivering the antioxidant to your cells. Topical creams containing alpha lipoic acid may provide increased protection against sun damage when used with a sunscreen.
Skin Benefits
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Consuming foods and supplements or applying creams that are rich in alpha lipoic acid provides some protection from free radicals. Alpha lipoic acid may reduce wrinkles, especially fine lines, and reduce the appearance of scars. It may also provide UV protection and protect the skin from aging prematurely. However, results vary by user and moisturizers containing the antioxidant are not sunscreen replacements.
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Recommended Dosage
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While there is no recommended dosage for alpha lipoic acid intake, the recommended dosage for antioxidants in general is 20 to 50 milligrams per day. There are no guidelines pertaining to the minimum and maximum concentrations of alpha lipoic acid in topical creams for fighting wrinkles. Some clinical studies, however, have used creams with a five-percent concentration and reported improvements in skin texture, such as decreased roughness.
Safety
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Side effects, such as skin rashes, are rarely caused by topical creams containing alpha lipoic acid. If you're currently on medication or taking supplements, contact your doctor before taking a supplement containing alpha lipoic acid. If you're pregnant or nursing, you should not take an alpha lipoic acid supplement, since the effects have not yet been studied.
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References
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