Final answer:
The benefits of taking alpha-lipoic acid daily include acting as an antioxidant, increasing cellular glucose uptake, improving memory performance, modifying gene expression for cancer treatment, and acting as a chelating agent for mercury. It is also recommended for its potential to reduce many health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has several benefits when taken daily:
- It acts as an antioxidant, preventing vitamin C and E deficiency.
- It increases cellular glucose uptake, which is helpful for people with diabetes.
- It has been shown to improve memory performance and delay mitochondrial decay, making it potentially beneficial for people with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.
- It can modify gene expression and is used for the treatment of certain cancers.
- It acts as a chelating agent for mercury.
It is recommended by various institutes and organizations for its potential to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers, as well as reduce the risk of diabetes.