There have been alpha lipoic acid weight loss reviews and studies showing the potential of this compound in burning body fat. Check them out below.
In this article:
What Is Alpha Lipoic Acid?
How Does ALA Work in the Body?
A Study Proves It Boosts Weight Loss Efforts and More
What’s with ALA?
What Are Other Alpha Lipoic Acid Benefits?
New Data on Alpha Lipoic Acid
Can You Get ALA from Other Sources?
Are There Any Side Effects in Taking or Consuming ALA?
What Alpha Lipoic Acid Weight Loss Reviews and Studies Reveal
What Is Alpha Lipoic Acid?
Before we discuss what alpha lipoic acid weight loss reviews have to say, let us first take a look at what this compound is so we have a little background.
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a type of organic compound with powerful antioxidant properties present in human cells. Your body makes it inside the mitochondria, or the powerhouse of your cells, to help enzymes convert nutrients into energy.
Because this compound is both fat- and water-soluble, it can work in every cell or tissue of the body. This is unlikely with other types of antioxidants. Take for example vitamins E and C. Vitamin E is fat-soluble only, while vitamin C is water-soluble only. Although it is present in your body, you can only produce small amounts of ALA. This is the reason why you need ALA supplementation or consume foods rich in it.
How Does ALA Work in the Body?
One significant use and benefit of alpha lipoic acid is it can provide a huge help in preventing various types of cell damage, primarily because it has antioxidant properties.
As an antioxidant, it neutralizes free radicals in the body, reducing cell damage. Aside from that, your body uses ALA to break down carbs to produce energy for certain body organs.
A Study Proves It Boosts Weight Loss Efforts and More
While America contends with a growing obesity epidemic, there is also a growing body of scientific research dedicated to finding a solution or treatment. A study published in the journal Obesity suggests that along with calorie reduction, the dietary supplement alpha lipoic acid is a safe and effective aid to help you lose weight.
What’s with ALA?
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has several benefits including its antioxidant abilities in both water- and lipid-soluble parts of the cell and cell membrane. What’s more, ALA regenerates other antioxidants and also remains active once it neutralizes the free radicals believed to be responsible for a host of degenerative and chronic diseases.
Studies have also shown ALA significantly slows down the aging process, especially in the brain. Pre-clinical studies mentioned indicated that ALA helps boost metabolism, promotes the burning of fat as energy, reduces food intake, and in turn helps with weight loss.
What Are Other Alpha Lipoic Acid Benefits?
1. Can Lower Risk of Heart Disease
A study on age-related oxidative stress showed that ALA’s antioxidant properties can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Aside from neutralizing free radicals and oxidative stress, ALA also has the potential to strengthen endothelial function or the cells lining the insides of blood vessels.
2. Lowers Inflammation
Alpha lipoic acid has the ability to lower inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is associated with several harmful diseases, such as diabetes and cancer, and ALA can help lower markers of those.
In fact, an analysis of 11 studies revealed that ALA can reduce C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker.
3. Promotes Healthy Function of Nerves
Your nerves become weaker as you age, and ALA can help protect them from damage. One example is a study found which found it has the ability to slow down carpal tunnel syndrome progression in its early stages.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Definition: A condition in one of the major nerves of the hand causing tingling, numbness, and pain in the arm and hand.
Another study showed that taking an alpha lipoic acid supplement before and after carpal tunnel syndrome surgery enhances recovery outcomes.
4. May Slow Down Memory Loss
Memory loss is common among older adults, and oxidative stress may play a crucial role in developing this condition. ALA’s potent antioxidant abilities may slow down the progression of memory loss-related disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
5. May Slow Down Skin Aging
Another benefit alpha lipoic acid has is it helps fight the signs of skin aging. A study found that applying face cream with ALA helped reduce skin roughness, wrinkles, and fine lines without any side effects. Upon application on the skin, ALA enters the inner layers of the skin and provides antioxidant protection against harmful ultraviolet rays.
New Data on Alpha Lipoic Acid
To further clarify earlier ALA findings, researchers launched a 10-week study. Ninety-seven overweight or obese women were put on a weight loss-promoting calorie diet of 30% less than the total energy expenditure.
The women were divided into four groups. There was one control group, and the remaining participants were given either ALA 300 mg, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids), or ALA 300 mg and EPA 1.3 g.
At the end of 10 weeks, effectiveness was ascertained by measuring changes in body weight, body composition, basal metabolic rate, waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, serum glucose, and insulin and lipid results.
Not surprisingly, the results showed that weight loss brought positive changes in lipid and glucose profiles. However, weight loss was found substantially higher in women who supplemented with ALA, or in combination with EPA.
The control group lost an average of 11.44 pounds, the EPA group lost 11.88 pounds, the ALA group lost 15.4 pounds, and the ALA + EPA group lost 14.3 pounds.
Can You Get ALA from Other Sources?
Yes, you can. Good food sources of this organic compound are as follows:
- Rice bran
- Green peas
- Potatoes
- Brussels sprouts
- Tomatoes
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Organ meats, like kidney, heart, and liver
- Red meats
ALA is available in the form of a supplement, too, which you can buy from health stores like the Juvenon online shop. These dietary supplements can have up to 1,000 times more ALA than the above-mentioned foods.
If you opt for alpha lipoic acid supplements, there is no strict dosage for it. You may take 300-600 mg of ALA, and it is best to take it on an empty stomach.
You can also simply follow the instructions on the label of your purchased bottle. If you are unsure, you can ask your physician about the right dosage of your ALA supplement.
Are There Any Side Effects in Taking or Consuming ALA?
Generally, ALA fat burner presents little to no side effects and is considered safe. In some cases, people consuming ALA may experience symptoms like itching, rashes, and nausea.
A study revealed that adults can take up to 2,400 mg of ALA without experiencing any side effects. Higher doses, however, may not be beneficial because it may not promise extra benefits.
For pregnant women, diabetic patients, and children, it’s best to consult a doctor before taking ALA supplements or eating a lot of ALA foods as this compound can affect the level of sugar in the bloodstream.
The results of this study are quite encouraging. This jack-of-all-trades supplement is not only safe, but it also produces a myriad of other benefits in addition to promoting weight loss.
It’s important to note that dosages for insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs may need to be altered for people with diabetes as supplementation with ALA may actually improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. As always, it’s wise to touch base with a trusted medical professional to determine if ALA is a good addition to your daily supplementation.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on October 20, 2015, has been updated for quality and relevancy.
