History and Usage: Alpha-lipoic acid was discovered in 1951, and has long been recognized as a coenzyme needed to break down sugar for energy production. It was not until 1988 that researchers realized that not only is alpha-lipoic acid itself a potent antioxidant, but the body converts some of it to dihydrolipoic acid, which posesses even greater antioxidant properties.

Websites for Further Research:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antioxidan...

http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressrelease...