title: Effects of α-lipoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in overweight and obese women during weight loss. Alpha-lipoic acid reduces body weight and regulates triglycerides in obese patients with diabetes mellitus. α-lipoic acid can improve endothelial dysfunction in subjects with impaired fasting glucose. Effects of alpha-lipoic Acid on body weight in obese subjects. Better dietary adherence and weight maintenance achieved by a long-term moderate-fat diet. Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and serum lipid profile levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Effect of Soymilk Consumption on Waist Circumference and Cardiovascular Risks among Overweight and Obese Female Adults The effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in men with chronic spinal cord injury: a clinical trial Adjunctive &agr;-lipoic acid reduces weight gain compared with placebo at 12 weeks in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on blood glucose, insulin resistance and glutathione peroxidase of type 2 diabetic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential body weight-lowering effects of dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and α-lipoic acid separately or combined in healthy overweight/obese women following a hypocaloric diet . METHODS This is a short-term double-blind placebo-controlled study with parallel design that lasted 10 weeks . Of the r and omized participants , 97 women received the allocated treatment  [ Control , EPA ( 1.3 g/d ) , α-lipoic acid ( 0.3 g/d ) , and EPA+α-lipoic acid ( 1.3 g/d+0.3 g/d ) ] , and 77 volunteers completed the study . All groups followed an energy-restricted diet of 30 % less than total energy expenditure . Body weight , anthropometric measurements , body composition , resting energy expenditure , blood pressure , serum glucose , and insulin and lipid profile , as well as leptin and ghrelin levels , were assessed at baseline and after nutritional intervention . RESULTS Body weight loss was significantly higher ( P<0.05 ) in those groups supplemented with α-lipoic acid . EPA supplementation significantly attenuated ( P<0.001 ) the decrease in leptin levels that occurs during weight loss . Body weight loss improved lipid and glucose metabolism parameters but without significant differences between groups . CONCLUSIONS The intervention suggests that α-lipoic acid supplementation alone or in combination with EPA may help to promote body weight loss in healthy overweight/obese women following energy-restricted diets AIM To determine an influence of alpha-lipoic acid to reduction of body weight and regulation of total cholesterol concentration , triglycerides and glucose serum levels in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 . METHODS A prospect i ve study includes two groups of obese patients with diabetes mellitus and signs of peripheral polyneuropathia : examined group ( 30 patients ; 15 females and 15 males ) , and control group ( 30 patients ; 12 females and 18 males ) . All were treated with metformin ( 850 - 1700 mg/day ) . Examined patients were additionally treated with alpha-lipoic acid 600 mg/day during 20 weeks . Body mass index and concentrations of total cholesterol , triglycerides and glucose in serum were compared before and after the treatment . RESULTS The group treated with 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid lost significantly more weight , and had lower triglyceride level than the control group . There were no significant differences in total cholesterol and glucose serum levels between the groups . CONCLUSION Alpha-lipoic acid of 600 mg/day treatment have influenced weight and triglycerides loss in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 . It should be considered as an important additive therapy in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 Several studies showed that impairment of endothelium-dependent arterial dilation ( EDAD ) exists in subjects with impaired fasting glucose ( IFG ) . The crucial mechanism of this endothelial dysfunction remains unclear . We hypothesized that oxidative stress may be partially responsible for the impairment in EDAD in subjects with IFG . Thus , the present study was design ed to assess whether the antioxidant α-lipoic acid can improve endothelial dysfunction in subjects with IFG . Sixty subjects with newly diagnosed IFG and 32 healthy individuals with normal glucose tolerance were enrolled . Subjects were r and omized into 2 groups : untreated experimental group ( n = 30 ) and α-lipoic acid treatment group ( n = 30 , α-lipoic acid 600 mg via intravenous infusion once a day for 3 weeks ) . We measured EDAD at baseline and after 3 weeks of intervention . At baseline , EDADs in α-lipoic acid and untreated experimental groups were 4.03 % and 4.14 % , respectively , which were significantly lower than that in controls ( 5.72 % ) ( P < .001 ) . After 3 weeks of intervention , there was a remarkable increase in EDAD ( reaching 5.10 % ; ΔEDAD , 26.5 % ) ( P < .01 ) and a significant decrease in plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances ( TBARS ) ( 29.1 % ) ( P < .05 ) in IFG subjects treated with α-lipoic acid . Endothelium-dependent arterial dilation and TBARS remained unchanged before and after intervention in the untreated experimental group . The absolute changes in EDAD showed a significant negative correlation with the changes in TBARS ( r = -0.444 , P = .014 ) . Our data showed that IFG subjects have impaired endothelial function  and that antioxidant α-lipoic acid can improve endothelial function through a decrease of oxygen-derived free radicals PURPOSE alpha-lipoic acid is an essential cofactor for mitochondrial respiratory enzymes that improves mitochondrial function . We previously reported that alpha-lipoic acid markedly reduced body weight gain in rodents . The purpose of this study was to determine whether alpha-lipoic acid reduces body weight in obese human subjects . METHODS in this r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , 20-week trial , 360 obese individuals ( body mass index [ BMI ] ≥ 30 kg/m(2 ) or BMI 27 - 30 kg/m(2 ) plus hypertension , diabetes mellitus , or hypercholesterolemia ) were r and omized  to alpha-lipoic acid 1200 or 1800 mg/d or placebo . The primary end point was body weight change from baseline to end point . RESULTS the 1800 mg alpha-lipoic acid group lost significantly more weight than the placebo group ( 2.1 % ; 95 % confidence interval , 1.4 - 2.8 ; P<.05 ) . Urticaria and itching sensation were the most common adverse events in the alpha-lipoic acid groups , but these were generally mild and transient . CONCLUSION alpha-lipoic acid 1800 mg/d led to a modest weight loss in obese subjects . Alpha-lipoic acid may be considered as adjunctive therapy for obesity The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of a long-term moderate-fat diet ( 30 % energy from fat ) v. a low-fat one ( 20 % energy from fat ) on metabolic risks . The study was a r and omised , prospect i ve 14-month trial on overweight and obese patients ( eighty-nine overweight and obese men and women ) . The intervention was a moderate-fat diet ( 30 % energy ) or a low-fat diet ( 20 % energy ) . The main outcome measurements were change in body weight , waist circumference , LDL-cholesterol , HDL-cholesterol , total cholesterol , TAG , and systolic and diastolic blood pressure .  Forty-five subjects on the moderate-fat diet and forty-four subjects on the low-fat one were studied . Characteristics of all r and omised participants were similar in both groups . After 7 months , the moderate- and low-fat diets had similar effects on cardiovascular risks . The moderate-fat diet was more successful after 14 months in reducing weight ( -5.0 ( SD 2.5 ) kg in the moderate-fat group v. -1.2 ( SD 1.1 ) kg in the low-fat one ; P < 0.0001 ) , waist circumference ( -5.5 ( SD 2.4 ) cm in the moderate-fat group v. - 2.3 ( SD 1.3 ) cm in the low-fat one ; P < 0.0001 ) , and other cardiovascular risk factors as well ( LDL , TAG , total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure ) . In conclusion , a moderate-fat energy-restricted diet in the long term might have more beneficial effects on weight maintenance and cardiovascular risk factors compared with a low-fat diet . Better dietary adherence with the moderate-fat diet may be the reason for its successful effects OBJECTIVE We examined the effects of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) supplementation on inflammation , oxidative stress , and serum lipid profile levels in hemodialysis ( HD ) patients . DESIGN This was a double-blinded , r and omized , placebo-controlled clinical trial . SETTING The present study involved HD centers in Tabriz , Iran . PATIENTS Participants included 63 patients with end-stage renal disease ( 43 men and 20 women ; age range : 22 - 79 years ) undergoing maintenance HD . INTERVENTION HD patients were r and omly assigned into the supplemented group ( n = 31 ) , receiving a daily dose of ALA ( 600 mg ) , or a control group ( n = 32 ) , receiving placebo for 8 weeks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES High sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hsCRP ) , malondialdehyde , total antioxidant status , total cholesterol , triglyceride , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of supplementation . RESULTS At the end of intervention , 11 patients were excluded from the study .  HsCRP levels decreased by 18.7 % in the supplemented group after 8 weeks of supplementation , and the reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group ( P < .05 ) ; this finding was also significant after adjusting for baseline values of hsCRP . The mean malondialdehyde and total antioxidant status levels did not change significantly in the 2 groups during the study . The mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations increased significantly in the supplemented group at the end of the study ( P < .05 ) ; however , this improvement was not statistically significant as compared with the placebo group . No significant alterations were observed in the other lipid profile parameters within each group during the study . CONCLUSION ALA supplementation significantly reduced hsCRP levels , which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in HD patients Background : Soy milk replacement in the diet might have beneficial effects on waist circumference and cardiovascular risk factors for overweight and obese subjects . Therefore , we are going to determine the effects of soy milk replacements on the waist circumference and cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese female adults . Methods : In this crossover r and omized clinical trail , 24 over weight and obese female adults were on a diet with soy milk or the diet with cow 's milk for four weeks . In the diet with soy milk only one glass of soy milk ( 240 cc ) was replaced instead of one glass of cow 's milk ( 240 cc ) . Measurements were done according to the st and ard protocol . Results : Waist circumference reduced significantly following soy milk period ( mean percent change in soy milk period for waist circumference : -3.79 ± 0.51 vs. -1.78 ± 0.55 % ; P = 0.02 in the cow 's milk period ) . Blood pressure , weight , liver enzymes and glycemic control indices did not changed significantly after soy milk period compared to the cow 's milk period . Conclusion : Among over weight and obese patients  , soy milk can play an important role in reducing waist circumference . However , soy milk replacement had no significant effects on weight , glycemic control indices , liver enzymes , fibrinogen and blood pressure in a short term trial Study design : A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial . Objective : To assess the effect of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) supplementation on IL-6 , hs-CRP , FBS , anthropometric indices , food intake and blood pressure in male patients with chronic spinal cord injury ( SCI ) . Setting : Imam Khomeini Hospital , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran . Methods : Fifty-eight men with chronic SCI participated in the study . Participants were divided in two groups : one group received 600 mg of supplemental ALA ( n=28 ) and the other group received placebo ( n=30 ) for 12 weeks . At the beginning and end of the study , biochemical parameters , anthropometric indices , blood pressure and dietary intakes were measured . Dietary intake was measured using N4 software , and statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS16 . Results : No significant reduction was found in IL-6 ( P=0.97 ) and hs-CRP levels ( P=0.23 ) . There was significant reduction in fasting blood sugar ( P=0.001 ) , body weight ( P=0.001 ) , BMI ( P=0.001 ) , waist circumference ( P=0.001 ) and blood pressure ( P=0.001 ) . Dietary intake was significantly reduced , including fat ( P=0.001 ) , carbohydrate ( P=0.001 ) , protein ( P=0.002 ) and energy intakes ( P=0.001 ) . Conclusion : Lipoic acid supplementation had no significant effect on the measured inflammatory markers but it reduces fasting blood sugar , anthropometric parameters , food intake and blood pressure in men with chronic SCI & agr;-Lipoic acid ( ALA ) has been reported to be effective in reducing body weight in rodents and obese patients . Our previous open trial showed that ALA may play a role in reducing weight gain in patients with schizophrenia on atypical antipsychotics . The present study evaluated the efficacy of ALA in reducing weight and BMI in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since taking atypical antipsychotics . In a 12-week , double-blind r and omized placebo-controlled study , 22 overweight and clinical ly stable patients with schizophrenia were r and omly assigned to receive ALA or placebo . ALA was administered at 600–1800 mg , as tolerated . Weight , BMI , abdomen fat area measured by computed tomography , and metabolic values were determined . Adverse effects were also assessed to examine safety . Overall , 15 patients completed 12 weeks of treatment . There was significant weight loss and decreased visceral fat levels in the ALA group compared with the placebo group . There were no instances of psychopathologic aggravation or severe ALA-associated adverse effects . ALA was effective in reducing weight and abdominal obesity in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since beginning an atypical antipsychotic regimen . Moreover , ALA was well tolerated throughout this study . ALA might play an important role as an adjunctive treatment in decreasing obesity in patients who take atypical antipsychotics OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) treatment over a period of 2 months on fasting blood glucose ( FBG ) , insulin resistance ( IR ) , and glutathione peroxidase ( GH-Px ) activity in type 2 diabetes ( T2DM ) patients . METHODS This study took place in Motahari Clinic , Shiraz , Iran , which is affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from May to October 2006 . Type 2 DM patients ( n=57 ) were divided into 2 groups to receive either ALA ( 300 mg daily ) or placebo by systematic r and omization , and were followed-up for 8 weeks . After an overnight fasting and 2 hours after breakfast , patients ' blood sample s were drawn and tested for FBG , 2 hours  PPG , serum insulin level , and GH-Px activity .  RESULTS The result of the study showed a significant decrease in FBG and PPG levels , IR-Homeostasis Model Assessment ( IR-HOMA index ) and GH-Px level in the ALA group . The comparison of differences between FBG and IR at the beginning and at the end of study in the ALA treated group and the placebo group were also significant . CONCLUSION This study supports the use of ALA as an antioxidant in the care of diabetic patients
target: The present study revealed that supplementation with ALA slightly but significantly decreased body weight and BMI .
  Safe dosage for ALA is up to 1200 mg/day .
  However , it seems that ALA can not be cost-effective .
background: BACKGROUND & AIMS Previous studies have supported positive roles of antioxidant supplements on  weight-loss .
  One antioxidant supplement is Alpha-lipoic acid .
  However , recommending ALA as an anti-obesity supplement remains controversial .
  Accordingly , the purpose of the present study was to perform a meta- analysis on the effects of ALA supplement on anthropometric indices  among adult subjects .