Overweight people are willing to try all the ways to help lose weight. Diets and workouts require effort, not everyone who loses weight can handle it. Then you start using various food supplements and vitamin-like substances, which are sold in large quantities in pharmacies and sports shops. One of these medicines is lipoic acid. What it is, how to use it and whether it promotes weight loss will be discussed below.
What is lipoic acid
Lipoic acid has many names: thioctic acid, thiococide, vitamin N, lipoate, ALA. It is considered to be a vitamin-like substance with antioxidant properties. Lipoic acid is produced in the body, but in small amounts.
Its deficit is compensated by the consumption of the following foods: mushrooms, dairy products, leafy greens, beef, legumes, bananas. Thioctocide must be absorbed in large quantities to maintain its supply to the body. The acid is more useful in the form of pharmaceutical excipients in the form of tablets, capsules and solutions for injection.
Who is it for?
The body is actively producing lipoic acid until it is about 30 years old. Women over this age may be deficient in this substance and become overweight. The use of thioctocide will maintain a woman's beauty and youth for a long time, slowing down the aging process. Lipoic acid has the following effects on the body:
- Participates in providing the body with energy: begins to recycle its used sources. In this way, all nutrients from food are processed as efficiently as possible.
- Forces the body to use glucose for energy, helping to lower blood sugar.
- Ensures proper functioning of the pancreas. Due to the lack of insulin supply, the processing of other energy sources, such as fat, is activated.
- Prevents premature aging of the body by binding and removing free radicals.
- Normalizes the immune system.
Note!Before taking lipoate, you need to make sure that it is compatible with the other medicines you are taking.
How It Helps To Lose Weight
Initially, lipoic acid was used to protect and restore liver cells from poisoning by various substances (including alcohol). Later, they started using it to build muscle. Thioctocide is also currently used as a weight loss agent.
When lipoic acid enters the body, processes are initiated that normalize the metabolism. This directly affects the use and removal of fat reserves. Normal metabolism serves as a creator of a slim figure. The benefits of ALA for weight loss include:
- the stabilization of sugar as a result of its intake makes it possible to control the amount of food consumed;
- by stimulating the breakdown of fat, lipoic acid removes fat from the body's fat deposits;
- complete absorption of nutrients helps to improve skin color, prevent hair and nail fragility;
- the feeling of hunger is reduced, which is blocked for a long time without harming the body;
- mental and physical activities improve;
- all organs begin to function more efficiently.
You should be aware that lipoic acid is contraindicated and should not be used in the following conditions:
- heart disease;
- chronic kidney disease;
- thyroid problems (hypothyroidism);
- inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- individual intolerance.
Cinnamon and vanilla are used as an impurity in some supplements. Due to these substances, the drug is very popular among women. After taking the course, they note that the craving for confectionery decreases, the weight decreases.
Important!Before using lipoic acid for weight loss, consult a doctor: endocrinologist, therapist or nutritionist.
According to reviews of those who took the drug, they began to feel better, the desire to lead an active lifestyle. After the treatment, the blood count improved and the appearance changed: acne and inflammation disappeared from the face. It is noted that weight loss occurred only in conjunction with the normalization of diet and exercise in the gym.
How to drink
To avoid harm to your body, you need to know how to properly drink lipoic acid for weight loss. Overdose can lead to ill health. Lipoate has a high chemical activity and reacts with many substances, so the instructions for use should be carefully studied before use.
Dosage
It should be chosen based on a person's food dependence, the intensity of physical activity, and the state of health in general. General conditions for use of thioctocide:
- in satisfactory condition for prophylaxis the dose is 25-50 mg per day;
- elderly people - 50 mg per day;
- athletes - from 75 to 200 mg;
- for the treatment of diseases - up to 600 mg;
- women who lose weight - the minimum dose is 30-50 mg; for men - 50-75 mg per day (divided into 3 doses).
When the acid is administered intramuscularly, the dose should not exceed 50 mg per day. Although some sources indicate that positive results can only be achieved with a daily dose of 100-200 mg, low-dose treatment is required. Doses above 600 mg per day without physical activity can significantly worsen your health.
Note!Lipoic acid is only effective for weight loss if you follow a diet, strength training in the gym, and physical activity.
How many days can you drink
For general body improvement, thioctocide is used several times a year for 2-3 weeks. To lose weight, a longer intake is required according to the following scheme: 1 month intake, then a 1-2 month break, then the course is repeated, and so on. By 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 evening.
- To avoid discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, take the medicine after a meal.
- Thioctocide inhibits calcium absorption, so lactic acid products are consumed 4 hours after administration.
- Alcohol blocks the absorption of lipoic acid, and dizziness and nausea may occur if taken at the same time.
- The drug is used no earlier than 30 minutes after strength training.
- Thioctocide should be tested for compatibility with other medicinal products before use.
The effect of the slimming procedure will only be if you follow a diet and exercise in the gym. It is best to use protein foods during this time. When there are fewer carbohydrates, the body begins to use up the available reserves and loses weight. When using confectionery, pasta, cereals, lipoic acid will be used to process the received sugars without affecting the fat.
Overdose
Doses should be determined by your doctor and cannot be changed on your own. Much doesn't mean good yet. Overdose can be dangerous to health: cause seizures, bleeding disorders. Hypoglycaemic coma is possible due to a sharp drop in sugar levels, and low levels of hormones can lead to thyroid disease (hypothyroidism).
As a treatment, vomiting is caused, gastric lavage is used, and activated charcoal is prescribed. But even these manipulations can be pointless because there is no antidote. Therefore, read the instructions carefully before use and avoid overdose.
Side effects
Lipoic acid is usually well tolerated, but the following unpleasant symptoms can sometimes occur:
- stomach pain;
- headache;
- allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash;
- high pressure;
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- metallic taste in the mouth.
When these symptoms occur, the drug should be discontinued immediately.
Important!Alcohol should be discontinued while taking thioctic acid as it slows its absorption.
Lipoic acid is not a panacea for losing excess pounds, but when combined with diet and exercise, it can help you lose weight. In addition, it normalizes metabolic processes in the body, prevents aging.