However, studies in humans with ALA supplementation are limited, and the results have been inconsistent. In animal studies, it has showed that ALA supplementation promotes the reduction of body weight and fat mass by decreasing food intake and enhancing energy expenditure, possibly by suppressing hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity ( 19- 22). Previous studies have suggested anti-obesity properties of ALA ( 16- 18). In medicine, ALA has been shown to reduce symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy, and several clinical trials established some efficacy and an excellent safety profile in this patient population ( 10- 15). ALA is marketed in the US as an over-the-counter nutritional antioxidant supplement, alone or in combination with other antioxidants.
ALA is also a powerful antioxidant and a free radical scavenger ( 6, 8, 9). It is an essential cofactor for energy production in the mitochondria ( 7). Even modest weight loss may be associated with prevention of diabetes, reduction in blood pressure, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and other health benefits ( 3- 5).Īlpha lipoic acid (ALA), also known as thioctic acid, is a naturally occurring short chain fatty acid which contains a thiol bond ( 6). Obesity is associated with significant morbidity and mortality through its close association with ailments such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes ( 2). Obesity is a growing worldwide epidemic with an estimated 1.9 billion overweight and 600 million obese adults ( 1).