Alpha Lipoic Acid for Weight Loss – Why it Actually Works [Research Results]

Is Alpha Lipoic Acid effective for weight loss and how exactly does it work?

Alpha lipoic acid, also known as ALA, is a compound that acts as an antioxidant and helps produce energy in cells. It is found in the mitochondria of cells throughout the body.

This compound is available as an oral supplement that is used for weight loss or fat loss due to its role in energy production and its ability to reduce food intake. ALA also improves insulin sensitivity, which can have an anti-obesity effect.

In multiple research studies, overweight participants given alpha lipoic acid supplements were shown to have reduced weight and fat mass after the treatment period. In one study, patients taking 800mg of ALA per day lost an average of 15 lbs over four months.

Alpha lipoic acid has been used to manage symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in Germany for years. It has other uses as well, such as in patients with Type 2 Diabetes and in women with PCOS.

Those who are interested in taking alpha lipoic acid for weight loss should know more about its effects, dosages and potential risks before using it.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Anti-Oxidant Supplement

Anti- Oxidant

Blood Sugar

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Neutralizes free radicals & oxidative damage
• Regulate blood glucoses levels
• Supports mitochondrial energy metabolism

Dosage:

Between 300 - 1,200 mg per day

Safety:

Generally Well Tolerated

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Does Alpha Lipoic Acid Work for Weight Loss?

Does alpha lipoic acid help you lose weight? Research suggests that this supplement can influence energy metabolism and may promote body fat reduction.

One of the ways it may work is by supporting health blood sugar metabolism and improving the signalling function of insulin. It may also have an appetite-suppression effect and cause more calories to be burned throughout the day.

According to a 2004 study published in Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, alpha lipoic acid increased the amount of energy spent, decreased food intake and reduced body weight in obese rats by lowering hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase activity. [2]

Hypothalamic AMPK is involved with energy balance in the body. It senses hormonal and metabolite signals and integrates them with neuropeptides and other signals from the central nervous system.

According to a 2011 study published in Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, researchers do not fully understand how these interactions work, but evidence indicates that AMPK and metabolic sensor interactions, such as lipid metabolism, might have a major role in feeding behavior and the amount of energy required for performing physical functions.

By lowering hypothalamic AMPK activity, alpha lipoic acid helps promote a higher amount of energy expenditure while also decreasing appetite and increasing beta-oxidation of fatty acids, which results in weight loss.

Lower amounts of food are consumed, more fat is broken down and more energy is used for physical functions. Lower AMPK activity in the hypothalamus affects homeostasis, the balance between the amount of food consumed and the amount of energy expended.

Weight Loss Results

Alpha lipoic acid is rated Possibly Effective for weight loss, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. [1] This means that there have been multiple studies demonstrating a benefit, but that more clinical research is needed to confirm therapeutic efficacy.

Based on the studies conducted so far, it appears that higher dosages of this nutrient are required to be effective for fat reduction. Most of the studies conducted so far have involved participants on a calorie-restricted diet as well.

A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Medicine showed that alpha lipoic acid given in doses of 1,800 MG resulted in modest weight loss in obese individuals. [4]

In this study, 360 overweight participants received either a placebo, 1200mg of ALA per day or 1800mg of ALA per day. The supplements were administered 30 minutes before mealtime to enhance appetite-reducing effects and for optimal blood sugar balance.

Participants were also instructed to reduce their caloric intake per day by 600 calories. At the end of the 5-month trial, both of the groups using ALA supplements had lost weight. However, those taking 1,800 mg per day lost significantly more weight.

In a 2010 study published in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design, 1127 overweight participants were observed. This study had the benefit of involving a large treatment group but was not placebo-controlled.

Participants were instructed to take 800 mg of ALA per day for four months. At the conclusion of the trial, the recorded weight loss was 8-9% of total body weight with an average of 15 lb reduction in weight.

A 2015 study involving 77 overweight women from the journal Obesity also demonstrated a fat-loss effect at a much smaller dosage. This placebo-controlled trial involved four different treatments, including one group taking 300 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid per day on a reduced calorie diet.

After 10 weeks, women following this diet were found to have lost an average of 7kg of body weight which was the best result out of any of the treatment groups.

These results are promising and suggest that using ALA may have benefits for individuals who want to lose weight. However, in most of the trials the participants also followed a reduced calorie diet.

More long-term research is needed in order to determine the efficacy of alpha lipoic acid for maintaining long-term weight loss results.

Effects and Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid is naturally synthesized in the body, and it can also be obtained by eating foods that contain this compound. These include red meat, organ meats, broccoli, yeast and spinach.

Alpha lipoic acid has two forms, known as R-lipoic acid or R-ALA and S-lipoic acid, or S-ALA. R-ALA is a naturally occurring form of alpha lipoic acid that is found in many ALA supplements for weight loss.

R-ALA might have a better absorption rate than S-ALA, which means that it has the potential to enter the bloodstream more quickly than S-ALA. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that twice as much R-ALA is absorbed as S-ALA. [1]

Alpha lipoic acid has the ability to rid cells of free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can cause damage to cells. It also helps increase the amount of vitamins C and E in the body, which are nutrients that also act as antioxidants.

This supplement is commonly taken for its purported anti-aging benefits. NMCD rates it as Possibly Effective for improving the appearance of aging skin. It is also rated Possibly Effective for Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, diabetes and diabetic neuropathy.

Research shows that use of this supplement improves insulin resistance, fasting blood glucose levels, and glucose disposal in people diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. It may help to reduce some of the negative consequences of Metabolic Syndrome.

How to Take Alpha Lipoic Acid to Lose Weight

Alpha lipoic acid supplements are available in several forms, including powder, capsules, tablets and softgels. They are sold in different doses, which typically range from 100 MG to 600 MG.

Some weight loss supplements only contain alpha lipoic acid, while others have other ingredients that help promote fat loss, appetite suppression and energy metabolism.

Examples of supplements that may be combined with ALA for weight loss include caffeine, white kidney bean extract (Phaseolus vulgaris), Conjugated Linoleic Acid, 5-HTP, 7-Keto-DHEA or acetyl-L-carnitine HCl.

Consumers can purchase products that contain alpha lipoic acid at Amazon, GNC and other online retailers. They are also sold in local stores that carry supplements.

There is no recommended daily intake for alpha lipoic acid for weight loss established by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The University of Maryland Medical Center states that between 50 to 100 mg per dose is sufficient for antioxidant uses. [5] Based on its use in weight loss research studies, it is typically taken in dosages of between 300 – 1,800 mg per day.

According to NMCD, 1,800mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid have been used daily for 20 weeks. For diabetic neuropathy and to improve insulin sensitivity, dosages of 600-1800 mg daily in one to three divided doses are typical.

Those who plan to use it for weight loss or fat loss purposes should talk to their doctor about a safe dosage to take. This will be based on certain factors, including an individual’s age and health.

Use of oral Alpha lipoic acid supplements might have improved efficacy when taken on an empty stomach, especially 30 minutes before a meal. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that food or a full stomach reduce absorption of ALA. [1]

Alpha lipoic acid is associated with some side effects, although these are typically rare. These side effects include fatigue, skin rash, insomnia and diarrhea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. [5]

These supplements might also lower the levels of blood sugar too rapidly in diabetic patients and interact with certain medications. Those who have diabetes or take medication should only take these products while under a doctor’s care.

While research suggests that Alpha Lipoic Acid does work for weight loss, the best results will be obtained when combining this supplement with adequate dietary changes and exercise. Ask your doctor to determine what the right weight loss program for you is.

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