- sulfhydryl-containing drugs (eg. tiopronin, D-penicillamine, captopril) may cause a rash or skin eruptions
- diabetic medications may increase hypoglycemic effects
- chemotherapy drugs may decrease effectiveness
- thyroid medications
- cofactor for oxidation of some branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine)
- possesses antioxidant and antioxidant-recycling activity (that is, a potent free radical scavenger in both water- and fat-soluble environments)
- recycles other antioxidants including vitamins E and C, CoQ10, and glutathione
- enhances energy production
- approved in Germany as a treatment for diabetic and alcohol-induced neuropathies and liver disease
- also used to treat cataracts and glaucoma, dementia, chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV/AIDS, cancers, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, intermittent claudication, Lyme disease, lactic acidosis
- reduces wrinkles and improves skin condition after sun damage
- increases aortic blood flow
- anti-aging, including slowing brain aging
- prevents scurvy by helping to recycle vitamin C
- Hep C patients with elevated trasaminases were placed on a triple antioxidant thereapy (alpha lipoic acid, selenium, and milk thistle) did not have to undergo a liver transplant and were able to return to a normal working life. (University of Maryland Medical Centre website)
For more information see here under Coenzymes.
Pam Duff, RN, CSNC
July 2010
See References.