ID 3157 - Kwas liponowy

PL: Kwas liponowy
EN: Alpha Lipoic acid (ALA)
Pdf: alpha-lipoic acid

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is alpha-lipoic acid.
alpha-Lipoic acid, also known as thioctic acid, is a non-essential sulphur-containing food constituent, present in foods, generally bound to protein (lipoyllysine), at very low concentrations (around 0.3 mg/100 g for the richest natural sources, i.e. spinach for vegetables and kidney for meat). The natural compound is the R enantiomer, while in food supplements generally the racemic form (R/S) is used. It exists in redox forms, the oxidised form with a ring containing a disulfide bond or a reduced form, in which the ring has been opened forming two thiol groups (dihydrolipoic acid). Alpha-lipoic acid is measurable in foods by established methods.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, alpha-lipoic acid, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.1. Ochrona układu nerwowego (ID 3157)

The claimed effect is “protection of nerve system”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
From the references provided, which reported on the treatment of neurological complications of diabetes (i.e. diabetic polyneuropathy), the Panel considers that the claim is related to the treatment of a disease, and does not comply with the criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
The Panel notes that the clarifications provided by Member States mention lipid peroxidation. A claim on alpha-lipoic acid and protection of body lipids from oxidative damage has already been assessed with an unfavourable outcome (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), 2010). The references cited for the present claim did not provide any additional scientific data which could be used to substantiate the claim.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

200 – 600 mg minimally for 3 weeks