Overweight people are ready to try all the ways to help them lose weight. Diets and workouts require effort, not everyone who is losing weight can bear it. Then they begin to take various dietary supplements and vitamin-like substances, which are sold in large quantities in pharmacies and sports stores. One of these drugs is lipoic acid. What it is, how to take it and if it contributes to weight loss will be discussed below.
What is lipoic acid?
Lipoic acid has many names: thioctic acid, thioctocide, vitamin N, lipoate, ALA. It is considered a vitamin-like substance with antioxidant properties. The body produces lipoic acid, but in small amounts.
Its deficit is compensated by the use of the following foods: mushrooms, dairy, leafy vegetables, veal, legumes, bananas. To maintain a supply of thioctocide in the body, it must be absorbed in large amounts. It is more convenient to use the acid in the form of a pharmaceutical additive produced in the form of tablets, capsules and injectable solutions.
What is it for
The body actively produces lipoic acid until about age 30. Women older than this age may have a deficiency of this substance, they begin to appear overweight. The use of thioctocide will preserve the beauty and youth of a woman for a long time, slowing down the aging process. Lipoic acid has the following effects on the body:
- Participates in the provision of energy to the body: initiates the reprocessing of its spent sources. Therefore, all the nutrients in food are processed as efficiently as possible.
- It forces the body to use glucose for energy, which helps lower blood sugar levels.
- Ensures the proper functioning of pancreatic acid. Due to the fact that insulin spikes do not occur, the process of processing other energy sources, for example, fats, is activated.
- Prevents premature aging of the body by binding and eliminating free radicals.
- Normalizes the immune system.
Note!Before using lipoate, you need to make sure that it is compatible with other medications you are using.
How does it help you lose weight?
The original use of lipoic acid was to protect and restore liver cells from poisoning with various substances (including alcohol). Later they started using it to build muscle mass. Currently, thioctocide is also used as a means of losing weight.
When lipoic acid enters the body, processes that normalize metabolism are started. It directly affects the expenditure and the elimination of fat reserves. A normal metabolism serves as the creator of a slim figure. The benefits of ALA for weight loss are the following:
- stabilization of sugar as a result of your intake allows you to maintain control over the amount of food consumed;
- by stimulating the breakdown of fat, lipoic acid for weight loss removes fat deposits from the body;
- full absorption of nutrients helps improve skin color, prevents brittleness of hair and nails;
- the feeling of hunger decreases, which is blocked for a long time without harming the body;
- improves physical and mental activity;
- all organs begin to function more efficiently.
You should know that there are contraindications to the use of lipoic acid, it should not be taken with the following ailments:
- heart failure;
- chronic kidney disease;
- thyroid gland dysfunction (hypothyroidism);
- inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- individual intolerance.
As an impurity in some dietary supplements, cinnamon and vanilla are used. Thanks to these substances, the drug is very popular among women. After taking a course, they notice a decrease in the desire for sweets, a decrease in weight.
Important!Before using lipoic acid for weight loss, you should consult a doctor - endocrinologist, therapist or nutritionist.
According to the reviews of those who took this drug, they began to feel better, there was a desire to lead an active lifestyle. After therapy, many improved blood counts, changed their appearance - acne and inflammation disappeared from the face. It is noted that the weight loss occurred only in conjunction with the normalization of nutrition and exercise in the gym.
How to drink
In order not to harm the body, you need to know how to properly drink lipoic acid to lose weight. Exceeding the dose can lead to health problems. Lipoate has high chemical activity, it reacts with many substances, therefore, before taking it, you should carefully study the instructions for use.
Dose
It should be selected, focusing on the person's food addictions, intensity of physical activity, as well as general health status. General rules for the use of thioctocide:
- under satisfactory conditions, the prophylactic dose is 25 to 50 mg per day;
- older people - 50 mg per day;
- athletes - from 75 to 200 mg;
- for the treatment of diseases - up to 600 mg;
- women who lose weight - a minimum dose of 30-50 mg; for men: 50-75 mg per day (divided into 3 doses).
With the introduction of acid intramuscularly, the portion should not exceed 50 mg per day. Although some sources indicate that it is possible to achieve positive results only with a daily intake of 100-200 mg, it is still necessary to start treatment with small doses. A dose of more than 600 mg a day without physical activity can drastically worsen the state of health.
Note!Lipoic acid for weight loss is effective only if you follow a diet, strength training in the gym, and physical activity.
How many days can you drink
For the general improvement of the body, thioctocide is taken 2-3 weeks several times a year. To lose weight, a longer intake is required, according to the following scheme: 1 month of intake, then a break is made for 1-2 months, then the course is repeated, and so on. Combining the intake of the drug with a balanced diet and physical activity, you can lose 4-6 kg per month.
recommendations
- Lipoic acid is injected in the morning and at night.
- In order not to feel discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, use the drug after meals.
- Thioctocide inhibits calcium absorption, therefore lactic acid products are consumed 4 hours after taking it.
- Alcohol blocks the absorption of lipoic acid, in addition, when taken simultaneously, dizziness and nausea may appear.
- The drug is taken no earlier than 30 minutes after strength training.
- Before taking thioctocide, it is necessary to find out whether it is compatible with other medications used.
The effect of the slimming procedure will be only if you follow a diet and exercise in the gym. Protein foods are best used at this time. If there are fewer carbohydrates, the body begins to deplete the available reserves and the weight decreases. When consuming pastries, pasta, cereals, lipoic acid will be used to process the sugars received without affecting the fats.
Overdose
The dose must be prescribed by the doctor; it is impossible to change it independently upwards. Much does not mean good yet. Overdose can be dangerous to health: provoke seizures, bleeding disorders. Due to a sharp drop in blood sugar, there is a possibility of hypoglycemic coma; low levels of hormones produced can lead to thyroid disease (hypothyroidism).
As a treatment, vomiting is induced, gastric lavage is used, activated charcoal is prescribed. But even these manipulations can be useless, as there is no antidote. Therefore, before use, you should carefully read the instructions and avoid overdose.
Side effects
Lipoic acid is generally well tolerated, but the following unpleasant symptoms can sometimes occur:
- stomach ache;
- headache;
- an allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash;
- increased pressure;
- nausea and vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- Metallic flavor in the mouth.
When these symptoms appear, the medication should be stopped immediately.
Important!When it comes to taking thioctic acid, it is necessary to stop drinking alcohol, as it slows down its absorption.
Using lipoic acid is not a panacea for losing extra pounds, but if it works in conjunction with diet and exercise, it can help you lose weight. In addition, it normalizes metabolic processes in the body, prevents aging.