Alpha Lipoic Acid, also called Thioctic Acid, is active in all the tissues of the body and in its cellular compartments. Alpha lipoic acid recycles both fat and water soluble antioxidant vitamins, improves sugar metabolism and energy production, promotes the incorporation of cysteine into glutathione and combines synergistically with other antioxidants for increased benefits. Thus it is known as the ideal or universal antioxidant and free radical scavenger.

Alpha lipoic acid is a cofactor in the multienzyme complex that catalyzes the last stage of the process called glycolysis. Glycolysis is the first step in converting blood sugar (glucose), which is obtained from carbohydrates and proteins, into energy in a form that the body can use. Although alpha lipoic acid is found in foods, such as liver and yeast, there are no foods rich enough in alpha-lipoic acid to serve as good sources.