People who are overweight are willing to try all means to help lose weight. Diet and exercise require effort, not everyone who is losing weight is able to withstand it. Then they started taking various supplements and substances such as vitamins, which are sold in large quantities in pharmacies and sports shops. 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.
The deficit is made by using the following foods: mushrooms, dairy products, leafy vegetables, beef, legumes, bananas. To maintain the supply of thioctocide in the body, it must be absorbed in large quantities. It is more appropriate to use acids in the form of pharmaceutical additives 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. Women older than this age may have a deficiency of this substance, they begin to look overweight. The use of thioctocide will preserve the beauty and youthfulness of women for a long time, slowing down the aging process. Lipoic acid has the following effects on the body:
- Participates in supplying the body with energy: it initiates the reprocessing of expended resources. Therefore, 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.
- Keeps pancreatic acid working properly. 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 getting rid of free radicals.
- Normalizes the immune system.
Note!Before using lipoat, you need to make sure that it is compatible with other medications 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). Then they started using it to build muscle mass. Currently, thioctocid is also used as a way to lose weight.
When lipoic acid enters the body, a process is launched that normalizes metabolism. It directly affects the expenditure and removal of fat reserves. Normal metabolism serves as the creator of a slim figure. The benefits of ALA for weight loss are as follows:
- the stabilization of sugar as a result of its intake allows you to maintain control over the amount of food consumed;
- by stimulating fat breakdown, lipoic acid for weight loss removes the body from fat deposits;
- full absorption of nutrients helps improve skin color, prevent brittle hair and nails;
- decreased hunger, which is blocked for a long time without harming the body;
- mental and physical activity improved;
- all organs begin to function more efficiently.
You should 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;
- thyroid gland dysfunction (hypothyroidism);
- inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract;
- hypersensitivity to drug components;
- individual intolerance.
As impurities in some supplements, cinnamon and vanilla are used. Thanks to these ingredients, this drug is very popular among women. After taking the course, they noted a decrease in cravings for sweets, weight loss.
Important!Before using lipoic acid for weight loss, you should consult a doctor: endocrinologist, therapist or nutritionist.
According to reviews of those who take this drug, they begin to feel better, there is a desire to lead an active lifestyle. After therapy, many blood counts improve, changing their appearance: acne and inflammation disappear from the face. It is observed that weight loss occurs only in conjunction with the normalization of diet and exercise in the gym.
How to drink
In order not to harm the body, you need to know how to drink lipoic acid properly for weight loss. Overdosing 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.
Dos
It should be chosen, focusing on a person’s food addiction, intensity of physical activity, as well as general health condition. General rules for the use of thioctocides:
- under satisfactory conditions, the dose as prophylaxis 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's weight loss - minimum dose 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 a small dose. Doses of more than 600 mg a day without physical activity can dramatically worsen health conditions.
Note!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: 1 month of intake, then a break is made for 1-2 months, then the course is repeated, and so on. Combining medication intake with a balanced diet and physical activity, you can lose 4-6 kg per month.
Proposal
- Lipoic acid is injected in the morning and evening.
- In order not to feel discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, use the medicine after meals.
- Thioctocid inhibits calcium absorption, therefore, lactic acid products are consumed 4 hours after taking them.
- Alcohol inhibits the absorption of lipoic acid, in addition, when taken simultaneously, dizziness and nausea may appear.
- This drug is taken no earlier than 30 minutes after strength training.
- Before taking a thioctocide, it is necessary to find out whether it is compatible with other medications used.
The effect of slimming procedures is 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 cakes, pasta, cereals, lipoic acid will be used to process the received sugar without affecting the fat.
Overdose
The dose should be prescribed by a doctor, it is impossible to change it independently upwards. Many have not meant well. Overdose can be harmful to health: leads to seizures, bleeding disorders. Due to the sudden drop in blood sugar, there is a possibility of hypoglycemic coma; low levels of the hormones produced can trigger thyroid disease (hypothyroidism).
As treatment, vomiting is induced, gastric lavage is used, activated charcoal is prescribed. But even this manipulation can be futile, because there is no cure. Therefore, before use, you must carefully read the instructions and avoid overdose.
Side effect
Lipoic acid is usually well tolerated, but sometimes the following unpleasant symptoms may occur:
- stomachache;
- Headache;
- allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes;
- increased pressure;
- dizziness and vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- metallic taste in the mouth.
When these symptoms appear, the drug should be stopped immediately.
Important!At the time of 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 weight loss, 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.