Antioxidant Compound Resynchronizes Body Clock

An antioxidant and compound essential for aerobic metabolism, lipoic acid is present at higher levels in organ meats and leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli.   Circadian rhythms are day-night cycles that are instrumental in the timing of the body’s biological processes, and it is estimated that almost one-third of all genes are influenced by circadian rhythms.  Circadian imbalance is thought to play a role in cancer, heart disease, inflammation, hormonal imbalance and many other conditions.  Tory Hagen, from the Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University (Oregon, USA), and colleagues studied the “circadian clock” of the liver. Lipid metabolism by the liver is relevant to normal energy use, metabolism, and when dysfunctional can help contribute to the Metabolic Syndrome.  Researchers fed laboratory animals higher levels of lipoic acid than might be attained in a normal diet, while monitoring proteins known to be affected by disruption of the circadian clock in older animals.  The team observed that lipoic acid helped remediate some of the liver dysfunction that’s often common in old age, and significantly improved the function of their circadian rhythms.  The study authors write that: “We conclude that [lipoic acid] remediates some of the dyslipidemic processes associated with advanced age, and this mechanism may be at least partially through entrainment of circadian clocks.”