Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant used in Europe to promote liver and nerve health, and confer protective benefits against oxidative processes. Alpha-lipoic acid has been called the “universal” antioxidant because it boosts glutathione levels in cells and has potent antioxidant actions. Research has strongly implicated cellular oxidative damage caused by free radicals as a cause of many degenerative problems. What makes alpha-lipoic acid so effective as an antioxidant is its ability to quench free radicals in both aqueous and lipid environments.