Dose Ranging Study of the Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Oxidative Stress

Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the United States and it is commonly found in people with diabetes and high cholesterol. Inflammation is one mechanism by which diabetes and elevated cholesterol damage blood vessels. Inflammation can be increased by oxidative stress. This study will see if Alpha Lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant and over the counter product, reduces blood levels of markers of oxidative stress and inflammation when compared with placebo. Placebo is a substance that looks like the real product, but contains no active product.