[Benefits & Uses of Alpha Lipoic Acid]

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Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of Alpha Lipoic Acid in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on Alpha Lipoic Acid and its Benefits & Uses. The research also analyzes many aspects of Alpha Lipoic Acid and tries to gauge its Benefits & Uses. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for Alpha Lipoic Acid and tries to describe the overall effect of Benefits & Uses of Alpha Lipoic Acid.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION9

1.1 Background of the Study9

1.2 Purpose of the Study9

1.3 Significance of the Study10

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW11

2.1. Glycogen11

2.1.1. Repletion Rate11

2.1.2. Glycogen Synthesis Limitations11

2.1.3. Glucose Transport12

2.1.4. Glycogenesis12

2.1.5. Super compensation13

2.1.6. Glycogen Supercompensation Protocol13

2.2. Alpha Lipoic Acid14

2.2.1. Supplementation15

2.2.2 Antioxidant Properties16

2.3. Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Glucose Uptake and Glycogen Synthesis17

2.3.1. In Vitro17

2.3.2. Animal Models18

2.3.3. Humans20

2.3.4. No Effect?21

CHAPTER 3 PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESES22

3.1. Purpose22

3.2. Hypotheses23

CHAPTER 4 METHODS24

4.1. Subjects24

4.2. Study Design25

4.2.1. Visit 2 - Oral Glucose Tolerance Test fOGTD:26

4.2.2. Visit 3 - Modified oral glucose tolerance test (MOGTT)27

4.2.3 Visit 4 - Maximal Oxygen Uptake Test27

4.2.4 Experimental Trials27

4.2.5 Standardized Meals and Capsules29

4.3. Measurements30

4.3.1 Basic Measurements30

4.3.2 Blood Sampling31

4.3.3 Blood Analysis32

4.3.4 Muscle Sampling33

4.3.5 Tissue Analysis33

4.3.6 Diet Selection and Analysis34

4.3.7 Calculations35

4.4. Statistics35

CHAPTER 5 RESULTS36

5.1. Subject Characteristics36

5.2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests37

5.2.1. Hematocrit and Hemoglobin37

5.2.2. Alpha Lipoic Acid Concentration40

5.2.3. Glucose41

5.2.4. Insulin41

5.3. Experimental Trials42

5.3.1. Glycogen Depleting Exercise42

5.3.2. Hematocrit and Hemoglobin - Four Hours Post Exercise43

5.3.3. Alpha Lipoic Acid Concentration - Four Hours Post Exercise46

5.3.4. Glucose - Four Hours Post Exercise46

5.3.5. Insulin - Four Hours Post Exercise48

5.4 Muscle Samples49

5.4.1 Glycogen50

5.4.2 ATP51

5.4.3 Phosphocreatine51

5.4.4 Creatine52

5.4.5 Total Creatine52

5.4.6 Lactate52

5.4.7 Estimated Glycogen53

5.5 Side Effects56

5.6. Diet57

5.6.1. Compliance57

5.6.2. Macronutrient Composition and Total Calories57

CHAPTER 6 DISCUSSION60

6.1. Blood Samples61

6.1.1 Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests61

6.1.2 Hematocrit and Hemoglobin63

6.1.3 Four Hours Post Exercise- Glucose and Insulin64

6.1.4 Blood Differences Between Oral Glucose64

6.1.5 Interaction or Potentiation of the Effects of Exercise?66

6.2. Glycogen69

6.3. Muscle Samples71

6.3.1. Glycogen71

6.3.2. Glycogen Corrected for Total Creatine72

6.3.3. Estimated Glycogen72

6.3.4. Lack of Super compensation73

6.4. Limitations of the Study75

6.5. Directions for Future Research75

CHAPTER 7 CONCLUSIONS77

REFERENCES78

APPENDIX A89

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

It has been repeatedly demonstrated that muscle and liver glycogen stores are directly related to times to exhaustion during aerobic exercise. This is especially true for exercise that lasts longer than ninety minutes at intensity levels ranging between 65-80% of V02max (Bergstrom & Hultman 1967; Costill et al. 1971; Ivy 1991; Ivy & Kuo 1998; Hargreaves et al. 2004). As a result, commencing exercise with relatively high glycogen stores and replenishing those stores after exercise, are of great interest to many endurance athletes. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant ...