Overweight people are ready to try all the ways to help them lose weight. Diets and exercise take effort, not everyone who is losing weight can handle it. Then they start taking various dietary supplements and vitamin-like substances, which are sold in large quantities in pharmacies and sports stores. 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: Thiioctic 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.
Your deficit is compensated by the use of the following foods: mushrooms, dairy products, vegetables, beef, legumes, bananas. To maintain the body's supply of thioctocide, 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 the age of 30 years. Older women may be deficient in this substance, they begin to look overweight. The use of thioctocide will preserve a woman's beauty and youth for a long time, delaying aging. Lipoic acid has the following effects on the body:
- Participates in the supply of energy to the body: starts the reprocessing of its spent sources. Thus, all the nutrients in the food are processed as efficiently as possible.
- It forces the body to use glucose for energy, thereby helping to lower blood sugar levels.
- Ensures the proper functioning of pancreatic acid. Because there are no insulin spikes, the processing process for other energy sources, eg fat, is activated.
- Prevents premature aging of the body by binding and removing free radicals.
- Normalizes the immune system.
Observation!Before using lipoate, you need to make sure 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 by 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 initiated. Directly affects the expenditure and removal of fat stores. A normal metabolism serves as the creator of a slim figure. The benefits of ALA to lose weight are as follows:
- the stabilization of sugar as a result of its ingestion allows to maintain control over the amount of food consumed;
- by stimulating the breakdown of fat, lipoic acid for weight loss eliminates the body of fat deposits;
- the total absorption of nutrients helps to improve skin color, prevents hair and nails from becoming fragile;
- it reduces the feeling of hunger, which is blocked for a long time without harming the body;
- improves 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 ailments:
- cardiac insufficiency;
- chronic kidney disease;
- thyroid gland dysfunction (hypothyroidism);
- inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract;
- hypersensitivity to drug components;
- 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 their desire for confectionery, a decrease in weight.
Important!Before using lipoic acid to lose weight, a doctor should be consulted: an endocrinologist, therapist or nutritionist.
According to assessments of those taking this medication, they began to feel better, there was a desire to lead an active lifestyle. After therapy, many blood counts improved, they changed their appearance: acne and inflammation disappeared from the face. It should be noted that weight loss only occurred in conjunction with the normalization of diet and exercise practice 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 dosage can cause health problems. Lipoate has a high chemical activity, reacts with many substances, so before taking it, you should carefully study the instructions for use.
Dosage
It should be selected focusing on the person's dietary addictions, the intensity of physical activity, as well as the general health status. General rules for the use of thioctocide:
- in a satisfactory state, the dose as prophylaxis is 25-50 mg per day;
- elderly - 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 dosage of 30-50 mg; for men - 50-75 mg per day (divided into 3 doses).
With the introduction of the acid via the intramuscular route, the portion should not exceed 50 mg per day. Although some sources indicate that it is possible to obtain 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 drastically worsen the state of health.
Observation!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 body improvement, thioctocide is taken 2-3 weeks several times a year. For weight loss, a longer intake is needed, according to the following schedule: 1 month of intake, then a 1-2 month break, then the course is repeated, and so on. Combining drug intake with a balanced diet and physical activity, you can lose 4 to 6 kg per month.
Recommendations
- Lipoic acid is injected morning and night.
- In order not to experience discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, use the medicine after meals.
- Thioctocide inhibits calcium absorption, so lactic acid products are consumed 4 hours after ingestion.
- Alcohol blocks the absorption of lipoic acid, and when taken simultaneously, dizziness and nausea may occur.
- The drug is taken no earlier than 30 minutes after strength training.
- Before taking thioctocide, it is necessary to know if it is compatible with the other medications used.
The effect of the weight loss process will only be if you follow a diet and exercise in the gym. Protein-rich foods are best used at this time. If there are fewer carbohydrates, the body starts using available stores and the weight decreases. When consuming confectionery, pasta, cereals, lipoic acid will be used to process the sugars received without affecting the fats.
overdose
The dosage must be prescribed by the doctor, it is not possible to independently change it upwards. Too much still doesn't mean good. Overdose can be dangerous to health: it can cause seizures, bleeding disorders. Due to the sharp drop in blood sugar, there is a possibility of hypoglycemic coma; the low levels of hormones produced can lead to thyroid disease (hypothyroidism).
As a treatment, vomiting is induced, gastric lavage is performed, and activated charcoal is prescribed. But even these manipulations can be useless since there is no antidote. Therefore, before using, you must read the instructions carefully and avoid overdose.
Side effects
Lipoic acid is generally well tolerated, but sometimes the following unpleasant symptoms can occur:
- stomachache;
- headache;
- an allergic reaction in the form of a rash;
- increased pressure;
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- metallic taste in the mouth.
When these symptoms appear, the medication should be stopped immediately.
Important!When taking thioctic acid, it is necessary to stop drinking alcohol, as it delays its absorption.
Using lipoic acid is not a panacea for losing extra pounds, but acting in conjunction with diet and exercise can help you lose weight. In addition, it normalizes the body's metabolic processes, prevents aging.