Overweight people are ready to try all the ways to help lose weight. Diets and workouts require an effort to be made, not everyone who is losing weight is able to withstand 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 whether 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. Lipoic acid is produced by the body, but in small quantities.
Its deficit is made up by the use of the following foods: mushrooms, dairy products, leafy greens, beef, legumes, bananas. To maintain a supply of thioctocide in the body, it must be absorbed in large quantities. It is more expedient to use the acid in the form of a pharmaceutical additive produced in the form of tablets, capsules, and injection solutions.
What is it for
The body actively produces lipoic acid until about 30 years of age. 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 providing the body with energy: it starts the re-processing of its spent sources. Thus, all nutrients from food are processed as efficiently as possible.
- Forces the body to use glucose for energy, thus helping to lower blood sugar levels.
- Ensures the proper functioning of pancreatic acid. Due to the fact that insulin surges do not occur, the process of processing other energy sources, for example, fats, is activated.
- Prevents premature aging of the body by binding and removing free radicals.
- Normalizes the immune system.
Note!Before using lipoate, you need to make sure that it is compatible with other drugs you are using.
How it helps 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 began to use it to build muscle mass. Currently, thioctocid is also used as a means for losing weight.
When lipoic acid enters the body, processes are launched that normalize metabolism. It directly affects the expenditure and removal of fat reserves. A normal metabolism serves as the creator of a slim figure. The benefits of ALA for losing weight are as follows:
- stabilization of sugar as a result of its intake allows you to keep control over the amount of food consumed;
- by stimulating the breakdown of fat, lipoic acid for weight loss eliminates the body from fatty deposits;
- full absorption of nutrients helps to improve skin color, prevent hair and nails brittleness;
- the feeling of hunger decreases, which is blocked for a long time without harm to the body;
- mental and physical activity improves;
- all organs begin to function more efficiently.
You need to know that there are contraindications for the use of lipoic acid, it should not be taken with the following ailments:
- heart failure;
- chronic kidney disease;
- dysfunction of the thyroid gland (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 note a decrease in craving for confectionery, a decrease in weight.
Important!Before using lipoic acid for weight loss, you should consult a doctor: endocrinologist, therapist or nutritionist.
According to reviews of those taking 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 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 for weight loss. Exceeding the dosage can lead to poor health. Lipoate has a high chemical activity, it reacts with many substances, therefore, before taking it, you must carefully study the instructions for use.
Dosage
It should be selected, focusing on the person's food addictions, the intensity of physical activity, as well as the state of health in general. General rules for the use of thioctocide:
- in a satisfactory condition, the dose as a prophylaxis 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;
- losing weight women - a minimum dosage 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 dosage of more than 600 mg per day without physical activity can dramatically worsen the state of health.
Note!Lipoic acid for weight loss is effective only if you follow a diet, strength training in the gym, as well as physical activity.
How many days can you drink
For general improvement of the body, thioctocide is taken 2-3 weeks several times a year. For weight loss, 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 evening.
- In order not to feel discomfort in the area of the gastrointestinal tract, use the drug after meals.
- Thioctocid inhibits the absorption of calcium, so 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 drugs 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 use up the available reserves, and the weight decreases. When consuming confectionery, pasta, cereals, lipoic acid will be used to process the sugars received without affecting fats.
Overdose
The dosage should be prescribed by the doctor; it is impossible to change it independently upward. A lot does not mean good yet. Overdose can be dangerous to health: lead to seizures, bleeding disorders. Due to a sharp drop in blood sugar, there is a possibility of hypoglycemic coma; low levels of hormones produced can provoke thyroid disease (hypothyroidism).
As a treatment, vomiting is induced, gastric lavage is used, activated charcoal is prescribed. But even these manipulations can be useless, since there is no antidote. Therefore, before use, you must carefully read the instructions and avoid overdose.
Side effects
Lipoic acid is usually well tolerated, but sometimes the following unpleasant symptoms may occur:
- stomach ache;
- headache;
- an allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash;
- increased pressure;
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- metallic taste in the mouth.
When these symptoms appear, the drug is stopped immediately.
Important!At the time of taking thioctic acid, it is necessary to stop drinking alcohol, since it slows down its absorption.
The use of lipoic acid is not a panacea for losing extra pounds, but acting in conjunction with diet and exercise, it can help you lose weight. In addition, it normalizes metabolic processes in the body, prevents aging.