People who are overweight are ready to try any means to help lose weight. Diet and exercise require effort to be made, not everyone who is losing weight can withstand it. Then they start taking various dietary supplements and substances such as vitamins, which are sold in large quantities in pharmacies and sports shops. One such drug 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 amounts.
The deficit is made up using the following foods: mushrooms, dairy products, leafy greens, beef, legumes, bananas. To maintain the supply of thioctoside in the body, it must be absorbed in large quantities. It is better to use acid in the form of a pharmaceutical additive, which is produced in the form of tablets, capsules and injectable solutions.
What for?
The body actively produces lipoic acid until around the age of 30. Women older than this age may have a deficiency of this substance, they begin to appear overweight. The use of thioctocide will maintain 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 begins the reprocessing of the resources it depletes. Thus, all the nutrients from the food are processed as efficiently as possible.
- Forces the body to use glucose for energy, thereby helping lower blood sugar levels.
- Ensures proper functioning of pancreatic acid. Due to the fact that insulin spikes do not occur, the processing processes of other energy sources, for example, fat, are activated.
- Prevent premature aging of the body by binding and eliminating free radicals.
- Normalizes the immune system.
Notes!Before using lipoate, you need to make sure that it is compatible with the other medications you are taking.
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). Then they started using it to build muscle mass. Today, thioctocid is also used as a means for weight loss.
When lipoic acid enters the body, processes are launched that normalize metabolism. Directly affects the production and disposal of fat stores. Normal metabolism serves as the creator of a slim figure. The benefits of ALA for weight loss are as follows:
- stabilization of sugar as a result of its intake allows you to keep control of the amount of food consumed;
- by stimulating the breakdown of fat, lipoic acid for weight loss removes the body from fat deposits;
- full absorption of nutrients helps improve skin tone, prevent brittle hair and nails;
- a feeling of reduced hunger, which is blocked for a long time without harming the body;
- increased mental and physical activity;
- all organs begin to function more efficiently.
You need to know that there are contraindications to the use of lipoic acid, it should not be taken with the following diseases:
- heart failure;
- chronic kidney disease;
- dysfunction of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism);
- inflammation of the digestive tract;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- individual intolerance.
As an impurity in some dietary supplements, cinnamon and vanilla are used. Thanks to this substance, the drug is very popular among women. After taking the course, they note a decrease in the desire for sweets, weight loss.
Important!Before using lipoic acid for weight loss, you should consult a doctor: an endocrinologist, a therapist or a 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, the amount of blood significantly increases, changing their appearance: acne and inflammation disappear from the face. It should be noted that weight loss occurs only in parallel 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 dose can lead to poor health. Lipoate has a 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 a person's food addiction, intensity of physical activity, as well as the general state of health. General rules for the use of thioctocide:
- under satisfactory conditions, the dose as a prophylactic is 25-50 mg per day;
- the elderly - 50 mg per day;
- athletes - from 75 to 200 mg;
- for the treatment of diseases - up to 600 mg;
- women losing weight - a minimum dose of 30-50 mg; for men - 50-75 mg per day (divided into 3 doses).
With the introduction of intramuscular acid, its 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. Doses of more than 600 mg per day without physical activity can dramatically worsen health conditions.
Notes!Lipoic acid for weight loss is only effective 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: intake for 1 month, then rest is carried out for 1-2 months, then the course is repeated, and so on. Combining drug intake with a balanced diet and physical activity, you can lose 4-6 kg per month.
Recommendation
- Lipoic acid is injected in the morning and evening.
- In order not to feel discomfort in the digestive tract, use the drug after eating.
- Thioctocid inhibits the absorption of calcium, therefore, lactic acid products are taken 4 hours after taking them.
- Alcohol blocks the absorption of lipoic acid, in addition, when taken together, 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 if it is compatible with other drugs used.
The effect of the slimming procedure will only occur if you follow a diet and exercise in the gym. Protein foods are best used today. If there are fewer carbohydrates, the body begins to use the available reserves, and the weight decreases. When consuming confectionery, pasta, cereals, lipoic acid will be used to process the received sugar without affecting the fat.
Overdose
The dose must be determined by the doctor, it is impossible to change it independently upwards. A lot doesn't mean good. Overdose can be dangerous to health: cause seizures, bleeding disorders. Due to a sharp drop in blood sugar, there is a possibility of a hypoglycemic coma; Low levels of the hormone produced can trigger thyroid disease (hypothyroidism).
As treatment, vomiting is induced, gastric lavage is used, activated charcoal is prescribed. But even this manipulation is useless, because there is no antidote. Therefore, before use, you should 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;
- allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes;
- increased pressure;
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- metallic taste in the mouth.
When these symptoms appear, the drug should be discontinued immediately.
Important!When taking thioctic acid, it is necessary to stop drinking alcohol, as 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.