Alpha Lipoic to Omega 3s: Important substances
Alpha-lipoic acid
ALA, also known as lipoic acid or thioctic acid, is a chemical that is similar to a vitamin. It
is an antioxidant—a substance that prevents cell damage caused by substances called free radicals
in a process called
oxidative stress.
High levels of blood glucose are one cause of oxidative stress. ALA is found in some foods, such as liver, spinach, broccoli, and potatoes. ALA can also be made in the laboratory. ALA supplements are marketed as tablets or capsules. It is theorized that ALA may be beneficial because of its antioxidant activity.
Chromium
Chromium is a metal and an essential trace mineral. Chromium is found in some foods, such as meats, animal fats, fish, brown sugar, coffee, tea, some spices, whole-wheat and rye breads, and brewer's yeast. It is marketed in supplement form (capsules and tablets) as chromium picolinate, chromium chloride, and chromium nicotinate.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10, often referred to as CoQ10 (sometimes written as CoQ10; other names include
ubiquinone and ubiquinol) is a vitamin-like substance. CoQ10
helps cells make energy and acts as an
antioxidant. Meats and seafood contain small amounts of
CoQ10. Supplements are marketed as tablets and capsules.
Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) is an
herb used to flavor food. Garlic can also be processed and
made into dietary supplements. In some cultures, garlic is used for medicinal purposes. The
chemical in garlic of most interest for health purposes is
allicin, which gives garlic its strong taste and odor. One
of the claims for garlic is that the rates of certain diseases are lower in countries where lots of
garlic is consumed. However, it has not been proven that garlic (and not some other factor such as
lifestyle) is the reason.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a
mineral. Foods high in magnesium include green leafy
vegetables, nuts, seeds, and some whole grains. Various supplemental forms of magnesium are
marketed as tablets, capsules, or liquids.
Magnesium has many important functions in the body, including in the heart, nerves, muscles, bones, handling glucose, and making proteins. Low levels of magnesium are commonly seen in people with diabetes. Scientists have studied the relationship between magnesium and diabetes for a long time, but it is not yet fully understood.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3s, for short) are a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that come
from food sources such as fish, fish oil, some vegetable oils (primarily canola and soybean),
walnuts, wheat germ, and certain dietary supplements. As supplements, omega-3s are marketed as
capsules or oils, often as
fish oil.
Omega-3s are important in a number of bodily functions, including moving calcium and other
substances in and out of cells, the relaxation and contraction of muscles, blood clotting,
digestion, fertility, cell division, and growth. Omega-3s have been the subject of much media
attention in recent years, because of studies finding they may be useful for such purposes as
decreasing the rate of
heart disease, reducing
inflammation, and lowering
triglyceride levels.
Some countries and organizations have issued formal recommendations on the intake of omega-3s, through meals, oils, and possibly supplementation. Omega-3s have been of interest for diabetes primarily because having diabetes increases a person's risk for heart disease and stroke.