How to take lipoic acid for high cholesterol?

Obesity is a growing worldwide epidemic, with an estimated 1.9 billion overweight people and 600 million obese adults.

Obesity is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to its close association with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Even moderate weight loss may be associated with diabetes prevention, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and other health benefits (1-3).

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), also called thioctic acid, is a naturally occurring short-chain fatty acid that contains a thiol bond (4).

It is an important cofactor for energy production in mitochondria (5). ALA also exhibits properties as a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger (4, 6, 7). ALA is sold in many countries around the world as an over-the-counter dietary antioxidant supplement, alone or in combination with other antioxidants. In medicine, ALA is used to reduce the symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy, and several clinical trials have established efficacy and an excellent safety profile in this patient population (8–13). In addition, ALA has a wide range of beneficial effects on obesity-related conditions such as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes, including their complications such as vascular damage (5, 11).

What is lipoic acid

Lipoic acid was considered a vitamin for a long time until it was discovered that it is part of the body's metabolism. As we age, the body produces less and less ALA, which is why liver disease occurs due to its deficiency. Alpha Lipolyic Acid has been available as a supplement since the 1980s.

Most often these are capsules, injection solutions or tablets. LA is usually sold in pharmacies and is available without a doctor’s prescription, but it is not recommended to purchase and prescribe the dosage yourself. Before using any product, it is necessary to consult a specialist to eliminate side effects, choose the dose and method of administration.

The benefits of lipoic acid for weight loss

Lipoic acid was used to treat liver diseases that could be associated with excessive alcohol consumption. A little later, the product began to be used by athletes and bodybuilders to improve their physical fitness. Now LC is used to speed up the process of losing excess weight. When taking LA, metabolism accelerates. It is the speed of metabolic processes that influences the effectiveness of weight loss.

Alpha-lipolyic acid helps normalize the functioning of almost all organs, which helps to effectively lose excess weight. For example:

1. Reduces sugar levels. This is justified by the fact that glucose absorption is normalized, carbohydrate balance becomes close to ideal, and appetite decreases. By reducing the portion size, a person will not face the feeling of constant hunger.
2. Prevents the formation of fatty deposits. This substance is not a fat-burning agent, but it is vitamin N that reduces the amount of fat deposits. Previously formed fat can only be removed through physical exercise.
3. Accelerates the absorption of glucose. It is this factor that influences human activity. With a low-calorie diet and taking LA, you can play sports without harm to your health.

It is these properties of the acid that allow you to lose weight without discomfort, hunger and irritability, increasing the effect of low-calorie diets.

Why is it needed?

Liver diseases prevent the independent production of vitamin N. This important organ is the filter of our body. Diseases are often serious and can even threaten a person’s life.

The liver performs the functions of cleansing the body of toxins and toxic substances, with its help protein synthesis occurs. The process of digestion and metabolism cannot take place without its participation. Frequent and dangerous diseases are cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatosis, and hepatitis.

How it works

Lipoic acid accelerates the effect of acid working in three main directions.

1. Neutralizes free radicals. Radicals are waste products formed in the internal environment of the human body. As they accumulate, they can have a negative effect on healthy cells, causing premature aging processes. In addition, it is free radicals that can worsen a person’s condition, making him lethargic and tired.
2. Controls glucose levels. The better sugar is absorbed in the body, the less fat deposits a person develops.
3. Accelerates the metabolic process. The most important principle of any diet is to expend more energy than you consume. It is lipoic acid that will reduce the feeling of hunger, while increasing energy expenditure.

Taking this vitamin is also prescribed in case of acute deficiency. You can start a course of taking acid if:

• alcohol abuse;
• in the absence of red meat in the diet;
• excess weight;
• diseases of the gallbladder or liver.

A specialist will tell you how to take lipoic acid if you notice certain symptoms. You should not self-medicate so as not to aggravate the situation.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before you start using Alpha Lipolyic Acid, you should carefully familiarize yourself with all the advantages and disadvantages of this product.

ALA is taken for weight loss because it:

• inexpensive;
• normalizes cholesterol;
• improves the functioning of the nervous system;
• protects the liver from negative effects;
• increases energy, improves mood;
• provides a protective function against sunlight;
• reduces the number of stretch marks on the skin;
• helps people with diabetes reduce the risks associated with eye disease;
• normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• makes the immune system stronger and more stable;
• increases the number of bacteria beneficial to microflora;
• metabolic processes will accelerate, metabolism improves. Losing weight with LC is more effective;
• You can take the product without following a strict diet.

But you should pay attention to the following features:

• Side effects may occur. To prevent lipoic acid from causing a negative reaction, the dosage must be observed;
• To achieve greater results, you need to take several courses. This is necessary because the medicine is not recommended to be used for too long a time. If you intend to get rid of extra pounds, then several courses are necessary;
• complete incompatibility with alcohol in any quantity;
• Since this product is a dietary supplement, its cost is significantly higher than a regular drug.

It should be understood that in the absence of physical activity, the medicine will not have a positive effect.

Reviews from doctors

Krivosheeva Margarita Sergeevna, 58 years old, Moscow

Lipoic acid is a necessary supplement for those who want to lose weight, which has a lot of beneficial properties: it improves digestive processes, regulates the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, and helps the body get rid of unwanted accumulations by producing additional energy.

Victoria Ruslanovna Korolenko, 42 years old, Voronezh

Lipoic acid is prescribed to patients whose metabolism is disrupted and metabolic processes are not occurring correctly. Vitamin N helps improve this common problem caused by strict diets and fasting. This supplement will be an excellent addition to a healthy diet and exercise.

Dosage

LA is used as part of complex preparations. or in the form of dietary supplements. Manufacturers produce the drug in different dosages, but it is up to the doctor to find your individual dosage.

The most common types of thioctic acid dosages are as follows:

1. If the patient does not have specific indications, then he can consume up to 50 mg of the substance per day;
2. An increased dose (75 mg) is prescribed exclusively in the case of complex treatment of kidney, liver or heart diseases;
3. LA for weight loss is approved for diabetics at the following dosage: at least 400 mg per day;
4. The dosage of thioctic acid for people who do not have health problems is 100 mg per day;
5. The dosage of the drug can be increased to 500 mg per day if a person is actively involved in sports.

The dosage for women is 30-50 mg per day. At the rate of taking about 2-3 times a day, 10-15 mg. For men, this dose increases to 55-75 mg 3 times a day, 20-25 mg each.

Many resources may also indicate that you should consume up to 200 mg of alpha lipoic acid per day to achieve greater results. Doctors recommend starting any drug with small doses to avoid side effects and overdose.

The period of taking lipoids is always strictly limited to 3 weeks. The break between courses should be 1-2 months. After which the course can be repeated.

special instructions

If the drug is used intramuscularly, it is best to administer it in the morning or evening.

When taking ALA in the form of dietary supplements or as part of medications, problems with the gastrointestinal tract may occur. To prevent stomach problems, it is recommended to take the medicine after meals.

Vitamin N interferes with the absorption of calcium, for this reason it is better to eat dairy products 4-5 hours after taking ALA.

Lipoid acid is consumed by athletes, as a rule, 30 minutes after the start of active exercise.

Lipoate and alcohol should absolutely not be combined. Alcohol does not allow all the properties of the vitamin to manifest themselves. Moreover, it often causes dizziness and vomiting.

After 2 or 3 weeks after using LC, the urine may have a peculiar odor. This is an absolutely normal reaction, you should not be afraid of such changes.

If you are taking other serious medications, consult your doctor. This will help you find out exactly the compatibility of the two products.

Repetition helps. Does Alpha Lipoic Acid Lose Weight Without Exercise? Alas, taking this substance without additional activity will not give any results.

Side effects

If you follow all dosage standards, then there will be no side effects at all. Any ailment that is associated with taking ALA can only arise from an overdose or from too long a course of use. Symptoms of overdose include:

• stomach discomfort;
• skin rashes, itching, eczema;
• anaphylactic shock;
• headaches, high blood pressure;
• nausea, diarrhea;
• convulsions, respiratory dysfunction.

If these symptoms appear, you should stop taking the drug.

Do not assume that a larger dose will immediately achieve a better effect. Overdose is extremely dangerous. In critical cases, the following types of assistance should be provided:

• gastric lavage or artificially induced vomiting;
• consumption of activated carbon;
• symptomatic therapy.

Contraindications

Contraindicated in the presence of the following factors:

• any allergic reactions caused by the drug;
• pregnancy, lactation;
• age not exceeding 16 years;
• gastritis or other stomach problems.

Ignoring these contraindications can have a detrimental effect on a person’s health and well-being.

Drug interactions

It is strictly prohibited to use ALA simultaneously with insulin. The explanation for this is simple: both drugs can sharply reduce the concentration of sugar in the blood. In addition, it is not recommended to use vitamin N while taking calcium, magnesium or iron.

Storage conditions

The drug in capsule form should be stored in its original packaging, avoiding moisture. The injection is very sensitive to light, for this reason the drug should be stored in dark places. After the expiration date, the drug is disposed of; its use is strictly prohibited so as not to cause poisoning.

Interaction with other drugs

When taking lipoic acid simultaneously with other medications, the following combinations should be taken into account:

1. Cisplatin. Lipoic acid reduces the effectiveness of the cytotoxic drug.
2. Metal compounds (iron, magnesium, calcium). Chelated compounds are formed that are not absorbed by the body.
3. Dairy products (contains calcium). A chelate compound of lipoic acid with the metal is formed.
4. Antihyperglycemic agents (including insulin). The risk of developing hypoglycemia increases. Constant monitoring of blood sugar levels is necessary. If necessary, the dose of hypoglycemic drugs should be reduced.
5. Alcohol. Ethanol and its breakdown products reduce the effect of acid. It is recommended to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while taking the medication.
6. Sahara. Insoluble complexes are formed, reducing the effectiveness of lipoic acid.
7. Carnitine. Lipoic acid enhances its effect.

The combination of lipoic acid as intravenous infusion with Ringer's solution, glucose, and fructose is incompatible.

Expert opinion

This fatty acid is a powerful lipophilic antioxidant that is naturally synthesized by the body and is found in every cell of the human body. But in some chronic diseases (such as diabetes), as well as with age, its synthesis decreases, and in various clinical conditions associated with oxidative stress, the body may require its additional administration from the outside.

ALA is found in red meat, liver, heart, kidneys, green vegetables, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, peas, potatoes, beets, carrots, yeast and many other foods. In its pure form it is produced both as a medicine and as an ingredient in dietary supplements.

The main indication for the use of ALA is diabetes mellitus and complications associated with impaired glucose metabolism (primarily neuropathy). This acid plays a critical role in the process of converting glucose into energy, and not only helps reduce insulin dependence, but also prevents oxidative processes, which allows it to be used for medicinal purposes in a wide range of diseases: from alcoholic neuropathy and vibration disease to multiple sclerosis and impaired sense of smell. It is even used for weight loss. But... if the diet remains unbalanced (and also contains a large number of desserts), the effect of taking ALA will be temporary. We must also remember that it “works” to shed excess pounds only in combination with physical activity, and - most importantly - does not at all affect the causes of excess weight in a person. That is, the weight lost with its support will inevitably return again. Therefore, it is not worth treating it as a cure for obesity. Some help for relatively quick weight loss for a while? Yes. A way to permanently (forever) get rid of extra pounds? Unfortunately no. In contrast to the normalization of eating habits and their further support by psychotherapeutic methods

Thus, lipoic (thioctic) acid can indeed in some way help accelerate the utilization of glucose and the breakdown of fats, but not on its own, but in the complex treatment of obesity while maintaining a balanced diet and maintaining a higher level of physical activity. Under normal conditions, it remains an effective antioxidant and detoxifying agent.