This vitamin-like substance in the form of a crystalline powder of light yellow color and bitter taste is synthesized by the body on its own. But after learning how to extract it from bovine liver cells in the 50s of the last century, the world received a drug with great potential and a variety of properties. Lipoic acid (LA), like Figaro, goes everywhere and reacts with many substances to form numerous compounds with varying degrees of biological activity. Weight loss, improved liver function, antioxidant effects - this is a partial list of what it is subject to.
A tool for quality weight loss and not only
Lipoic or thioctic acid is an endogenous antioxidant capable of naturally scavenging aggressive free radicals. Soluble in fat and water, it plays the role of a coenzyme in the metabolism of substances, improves enzymatic hydrolysis in the mitochondria and supplies cells with energy. First, scientists discovered the protective properties of this substance, that is, its ability to protect cell membranes from the negative effects of reactive radicals, which are formed both through intermediary metabolism and foreign substances entering the body, for example, from the outside, salts of heavy metals.
Due to the peculiarities of the action, Thioctacid is compared with B vitamins, since it has a lipotropic and thermogenic effect, accelerates the utilization of lipids and stimulates the transport of fatty acids from the liver to various organs and tissues. LA molecules can be described as the microscopic breeders of secondary recycling. They bind the products of amino acid processing and maximally squeeze out the substances necessary for our body and get rid of the waste. Some scientists believe that it is lipoic acid that will become part of the elixir of youth in the future because its ability to prevent damage to DNA cells, which means cell aging and loss of vital functions, has already been demonstrated.
How is effective weight loss achieved with Thioctacid?
The mechanism of action of this substance gives reason to actively use it against extra pounds, and the higher the physical activity of the person losing weight, the brighter the effect. How it works? This weight loss tool can trigger the fat burning mechanism and is supported by intense exercise. When exercising and changing eating habits, oxidation processes are triggered in tissues and muscles and free radicals are formed with them on a large scale. Thioctacid enters the "fight" of antioxidants, increases fat burning, increases endurance of the body and works for effective weight loss, improving the effectiveness of physical activity.
As mentioned earlier, it is able to work in concert with other nutrients. In terms of weight loss, its association with other antioxidant vitamins and glutathione can be of the greatest benefit. As a result, fat and carbohydrate metabolism improves, the concentration of cholesterol in the blood normalizes, and liver function improves.
Who Should Take Lipoic Acid?
Part of thioctic acid is synthesized by the body itself, and part is absorbed from food, which is quite enough for a completely healthy and not obese person. Another thing is when the body lacks vitamins and other nutrients, it suffers from obesity and diabetes, from poisoning with salts of harmful metals, from liver diseases. In this case, you can discuss with your doctor the advisability of taking lipoic acid supplements and, as a bonus, get a powerful antioxidant that prevents degenerative changes in the brain.
Currently, drug manufacturers produce two variants of thioctic acid - R-isomer and S-isomer. Their chemical composition is slightly different, and it is known for certain that for effective weight loss and healing of the body, it makes more sense to take the R-isomer, since its absorption is higher, as well as its potential properties, the ability to reduce the sensitivity of the bodyimprove tissue over insulin. However, R-analogue preparations are more expensive, and therefore most often you can find alpha-lipoic acid in stores in a more accessible form, in which the "right" and "left" chemical compounds are present in equal proportions.
Foods that are naturally rich in LA and can make a meaningful contribution to weight loss include most by-products, vegetables - Brussels sprouts, green broccoli flowers, spinach, fresh tomatoes, peas. Sources of this weight loss agent include both unpolished rice and brewer's yeast.
How do I take supplements for weight loss?
To maintain and strengthen the body, a standard dose of 25 to 50 mg per day is recommended. If your goal is effective weight loss, which you want to combine with physical training, then it makes sense to combine dietary supplements with levocarnitine. The amino acid included in its composition activates the metabolism of fats, releases them from cells and stimulates energy consumption. In this case, the dose of alpha lipoic acid itself can be increased to 100-200 mg per day. To prevent neurodegenerative changes and eliminate the consequences of long-term intake of fast carbohydrates, the dose can be increased to 600 mg per day.
American nutritionists have conducted numerous studies on the effects of LA on the human body in recent years and have discovered the ability of this slimming product to reduce weight even without adjusting the usual diet. So if you increase the daily dose to 1800 mg, you can lose up to 9% of the excess weight of the total body weight in 20 weeks. Questions about the daily amount of LA taken should definitely be clarified with your doctor, since an overdose of a weight loss drug can cause indigestion, nausea and vomiting, muscle pain and a sharp drop in blood sugar levels with the risk of developing hypoglycemia.
For better weight loss, if you decide to buy the innovative and expensive R-isomer of thioctic acid, the recommended dosage should be reduced by a factor of two due to higher bioavailability.