Lipoic Acid Supplementation: Could It Improve BMI?

Supplementation with lipoic acid resulted in decreased body mass index (BMI) among patients with overweight and obesity who were otherwise healthy, according to the results of a recent study.

While it has been suggested that lipoic acid supplementation could be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes, overweight, and other conditions, there is currently a lack of evidence available on its effects in patients with overweight who are otherwise healthy.

To explore this further, the researchers conducted a study involving 81 adults who were overweight (BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater) with elevated triglycerides (100 mg/dL or greater). The participants were randomly assigned to either 600 mg/d lipoic acid or to matching placebo for 24 weeks. The participants were asked to refrain from changing their diet or level of physical activity during the study period.

Overall, the researchers observed a greater reduction in BMI among participants in the lipoic acid group than among those in the placebo group (−0.8; P = 0.04). The greatest reductions in weight and body fat were among women and participants who were obese (BMI of 35 kg/m2 or greater).

Further, antioxidant gene expression in mononuclear cells was greater in the lipoic acid group, and urinary F2-isoprostanes, blood leukocytes, blood thrombocytes, and ICAM-1 were all lower in the lipoic group compared with the placebo group.

“By the end of the study, some markers of inflammation declined,” the researchers said in an accompanying press release. “The findings also suggest that lipoic acid supplementation provides a mild reduction in oxidative stress. It is not a perfect panacea, but our results show that lipoic acid supplements can be beneficial.”

—Michael Potts

References:

1. Bobe G, Michels AJ, Zhang W, et al. A randomized controlled trial of long-term (r)-α-lipoic acid supplementation promotes weight loss in overweight or obese adults without altering baseline elevated plasma triglyceride concentrations. Published online July 21, 2020. J Nutr. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxaa203
2. Lipoic acid supplements help some obese but otherwise healthy people lose weight. News release. August 12, 2020; Oregon State University: Corvallis, OR. https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/lipoic-acid-supplements-help-some-obese-otherwise-healthy-people-lose-weight