Lipoic Acid Promotes Weight Loss in Healthy People with Obesity, Study Proves

Lipoic acid supplerments could help some women lose weight. Oregon State University and Oregon Health & Science University researchers did a study to prove this. They let healthy people with obesity take lipoic acid supplements. Within 24 weeks, 31 subjects who took 600 mg of the fatty acid had weight loss. 

Director emeritus of OSU's Linus Pauling Institute, Balz Frei, shared the data they gathered. He said that it was clear in their data that there is weight loss. He noted that it was seen in women and those who weigh the heaviest among their subjects. 

Lipoic acid is involved in energy and amino acid metabolism. It is produced by both plants and animals. Usually, it is attached to proteins and sets up in the mitochondria of cells. The specialized, medium-chain fatty acid has two sulfur atoms at one end of the chain. These atoms allow electrons from other sources to move. 

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Varied effects on the body

Our bodies produce lipoic acid to help the enzymes perform their function. The supplement functions not the same as the one produced by the body. Apart from helping with glucose metabolism, it acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. This means that it could be helpful for people with certain conditions. Patients with diabetes, heart disease, or any age-related cognitive decline could benefit from the fatty acid. 

An OSU College of Science professor of biochemistry and biophysics, Tory Hagen, explained that their study differs from others. He said that the OSU/OHSU project focused on two issues mostly ignored in previous studies. He said that most lipoic acid studies focus on people with health conditions like diabetes. Their study targets the form of fatty acid used and had healthy subjects. 

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S and R forms of the fatty acid

Hagen noted that it was hard to know the reason for the use of the fatty acid in previous studies. They could use it as a treatment or for its other good effects. He also noted that the formulation of the supplement is also a cause of concern. Most studies use the S form of fatty acid. It is not found in nature and is produced by synthetic means. He said that their study used R form, which is the same form found in the body. 

Decrease in fat

The research team did find a decrease in body fat known as triglycerides. They noted that not all of their subjects had the same decrease amounts. Another LPI scientist who worked with the study, Gerd Bobe, shared his thoughts. He said that the effect of the lipoic acid supplement has its limits. But he noted that people who lost weight on the fatty acid also had a decreased triglyceride level. 

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The study's corresponding author, Hagen, said that some markers of inflammation decreased. While the supplement is not a perfect cure for all, it provided a decrease in oxidative stress. He also said that it is essential to know how much a patient needs to get its maximum effects. Since the lipoic acid supplement is costly, future studies could focus on maximizing the effects of small amounts of fatty acid.