Lipoic acid is on the shelves of pharmacies and stores that offer food supplements. It is also a substance that promises a lot: lose weight, help with metabolism, and have high antioxidant power.
What capacities does lipoic acid have? Its effects, very varied in our body, give it a multitude of responsibilities. However, there is no reliable scientific evidence for any of the most sought-after benefits of this substance, such as its supposed slimming capacity. This is what we know about lipoic acid.
What is lipoic acid?
Lipoic acid or alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a derivative of octanoic fatty acid that has many functions in our body (and in that of many organisms). This molecule acts in the metabolism of keto acids, that is, in energy processing. It also participates in glucose control, improving insulin response, and reducing LDL cholesterol.
In addition to these two functions, which are the ones that interest us most now, lipoic acid is attributed to other metabolic roles related to the neurological system and various essential metabolic reactions. But, returning to the question of this article, we are especially interested in the first two, as we will see later.
ALA is never considered an essential nutrient. We can synthesize it from a fat, octanoic, or caprylic acid, mainly in the liver, but also in our kidneys and other tissues. It is also available through food, usually in its precursor form. Thus, we find it in spinach, broccoli, green cabbage, lettuce, chard, and, obviously, the entrails such as heart and livers.
Also, we can find it as a food supplement in herbalists, pharmacies and other shops. It is usually sold in pills or powder, and its price varies significantly according to the commercial house. Finally, ALA is used as a treatment, in much higher doses, for specific conditions and metabolic control, although we will not enter here as it is a particular medical field.
Does lipoic acid help you lose weight?
As we have said, this substance participates in energy metabolism, helping to sensitize insulin and catabolize fats. Does that mean it also helps "burn them"? In the scientific literature, some analyzes indicate that yes, it could work in a very moderate but significant way. This means that there could be reasons to think that supplementation could help us lose weight. However, caution must be maintained in the face of these claims.
Although there are several studies, there is still not enough consensus on this. Some of them have few people in the research; others have been obtained only with animal models, and several of the meta-analyzes only review five or ten studies. This means we have already stated that it is still early. Are there indications? Yes. But that does not allow us to speak of lipoic acid as a supplement that helps to lose weight sharply.
In its favor, we can say that its control effect on insulin sensitivity could play an exciting role, much more than it does as a fat catalyzing enzyme. Nonetheless, there is still a great deal of weighty scientific evidence to be attributed to the benefits it promises.
Meanwhile, authorities such as EFSA only accept health statements regarding its proven capabilities, that is, its neuroprotective capacity and the increase in insulin sensitivity. In no case do they admit lipoic acid as a substance that helps lose weight? Its antioxidant capabilities are also long debated. They also warn of its use and the little knowledge about its toxicity, which leads us to the next question.
Useful, useless, or dangerous? At what point do we place lipoic acid? Lipoic acid could be placed with all three adjectives depending on the situation. For example, we know that it is useful as a treatment for diabetes-associated peripheral neuropathy. But this is a specific treatment. And as a supplement? Although much lighter, some evidence shows certain benefits for supplementation and weight control.
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