Alpha-lipoic acid supplements promote weight loss in obese people who are otherwise healthy.
Obesity is a major contributor to many of the leading causes of death, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. More than 650 million adults are obese worldwide. Findings from a new study suggest that alpha-lipoic acid promotes weight loss in obese adults.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring substance present in the human body and in some foods. It is a powerful antioxidant that amplifies the beneficial effects of other antioxidants in the body such as glutathione and coenzyme Q10. Alpha-lipoic acid participates in metabolism by inhibiting fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis and, in turn, promoting fatty acid oxidation, triglyceride clearance from the liver, and fat loss. Dietary sources of alpha-lipoic acid include spinach, broccoli, and organ meats, among others. It is widely available as a dietary supplement.
The randomized, double-blind, controlled trial involved 81 overweight or obese adults between the ages of 21 and 60 years who had elevated triglycerides but were otherwise healthy. Half of the participants took 600 milligrams of alpha-lipoic acid per day, while the other half took a placebo. The participants were asked to not change their diet or physical activity for the duration of the 24-week study. The authors of the study took anthropometric measures, checked vital signs, and collected blood and urine samples from the participants at the beginning of the trial, at week 12, and at week 24.
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The authors found that the participants who took alpha-lipoic acid did not experience changes in their triglyceride levels, but they did lose body weight. The greatest losses were observed among women and obese participants, who lost as much as 5 percent of body weight. Those who took alpha-lipoic acid also had higher levels of antioxidant enzyme expression, which is associated with reduced inflammation – a key driver in many diseases.
These findings demonstrate that alpha-lipoic acid reduces body fat in overweight or obese people, independent of dietary or physical activity changes.