Alpha-lipoic acid: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Lipoic acid
Scientific name(s)
alpha-lipoic acid
Family or group:
Pseudovitamins
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Diabetic neuropathy ✪✪✪✪✪
Alpha-lipoic acid improves symptoms of diabetic neuropathy such as pain, tingling, numbness, and physical deficiencies within 3 to 5 weeks of treatment.
Posologie
Oral
600 - 1200 mg
6 months
Adults
Treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid): A 2-year, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (ALADIN II).
Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial.
[Efficacy and safety of high-dose a-lipoic acid in the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy]
Treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: A 7-month, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial (ALADIN III Study).
Obesity ✪✪✪✪✪
In overweight or obese patients, the intake of Alpha-lipoic acid promotes weight loss and a decrease in body mass index by stimulating the body's energy metabolism.
Posologie
Oral
300 mg
Adults
Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to alpha-lipoic acid and protection of body lipids from oxidative damage (ID 1434, 3134), maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations (ID 3134), increased beta-oxidation of fatty acids (ID 3134), maintenance of normal blood glucose concentrations (ID 1435, 3162), and “regeneration of genes, regeneration of gene transcription and the influence to activity NF-kappa B” (ID 3133) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as a supplementation for weight loss: results from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Alpha-lipoic acid supplement in obesity treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.
Oxidative stress ✪✪✪✪✪
Exogenous alpha-lipoic acid and its metabolite dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) have antioxidant activity and can scavenge free radicals both intra and extracellularly. Additionally, alpha-lipoic acid is soluble in water and fats and can regenerate endogenous antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and glutathione, thereby preventing tissue and neuronal damage caused by oxidative stress, such as cerebral ischemia, brain damage caused by excitotoxic amino acids, mitochondrial dysfunction, muscle ischemia associated with peripheral arterial disease, diabetes, and diabetic neuropathy. The antioxidant effects of alpha-lipoic acid may also be beneficial in liver diseases linked to oxidative stress.
Posologie
Oral
300 - 600 mg
Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and serum lipid profile levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.
Oral antioxidants and cardiovascular health in the exercise-trained and untrained elderly: a radically different outcome.
Assessment of the antioxidant effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in healthy men exposed to muscle-damaging exercise.
Wrinkles ✪✪✪✪✪
Applying a night cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid is reported to reduce the appearance of fine lines and damage caused by sun exposure. Another study highlights the improvement in indicators of skin elasticity and thickness after the oral intake of ALA alongside vitamins, minerals, and a maritime pine bark extract.
Posologie
Topical, Oral
Adults
Type 2 diabetes ✪✪✪✪✪
A meta-analysis of 16 small clinical studies on patients with type 2 diabetes shows that daily intake of 200 to 1,200 mg of alpha-lipoic acid for up to 52 weeks results in a slight improvement in glycemic figures, which is not clinically significant. Compared to placebo, alpha-lipoic acid reduced fasting blood glucose by 6 mg/dL, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) by 0.17%, triglyceride levels were reduced by 19 mg/dL.
Posologie
Oral
200 - 1200 mg
52 weeks
Adults
Enhancement of glucose disposal in patients with type 2 diabetes by alpha-lipoic acid.
Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to alpha-lipoic acid and protection of body lipids from oxidative damage (ID 1434, 3134), maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations (ID 3134), increased beta-oxidation of fatty acids (ID 3134), maintenance of normal blood glucose concentrations (ID 1435, 3162), and “regeneration of genes, regeneration of gene transcription and the influence to activity NF-kappa B” (ID 3133) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006
Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled, pilot trial.
Glycemic and oxidative status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus following oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study.
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation effect on glycemic and inflammatory biomarkers: A Systematic Review and meta-analysis.
Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on blood glucose, insulin resistance and glutathione peroxidase of type 2 diabetic patients.
Improvement of insulin-stimulated glucose-disposal in type 2 diabetes after repeated parenteral administration of thioctic acid.
Alpha-lipoic acid treatment decreases serum lactate and pyruvate concentrations and improves glucose effectiveness in lean and obese patients with Type 2 diabetes.
The effects of lipoic acid and a-tocopherol supplementation on the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Metabolic Syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
The increase in inflammatory markers, particularly TNF-α, could promote insulin resistance and alter cytokine expression in adipose tissues, which is considered a major link between metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. ALA supplementation may reduce inflammatory markers by trapping free radicals. Results from a meta-analysis indicate that ALA supplementation significantly decreased levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (markers of inflammation) in patients diagnosed with metabolic diseases.
Posologie
Oral route
300 - 600 mg
The effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on inflammatory markers among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Effects of alpha lipoic acid supplementation on serum lipid profile in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Dyslipidemia ✪✪✪✪✪
A meta-analysis of 11 clinical trials shows that daily intake of 300 to 1200 mg of alpha-lipoic acid for a period of up to 16 weeks reduces total cholesterol by 10.2 mg/dL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 9.2 mg/dL.
Posologie
Oral route
300 - 1200 mg
Does alpha-lipoic acid affect lipid profile? A meta-analysis and systematic review on randomized controlled trials
Safety and Efficacy of Alpha Lipoic Acid During 4 Years of Observation: A Retrospective, Clinical Trial in Healthy Subjects in Primary Prevention
Alpha lipoic acid supplementation affects serum lipids in a dose and duration-dependent manner in different health status
Cardiovascular Diseases ✪✪✪✪✪
A study showed that ALA supplementation improves vascular tone and may have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health in young overweight or obese subjects. Other preliminary clinical research shows that taking 300 mg of ALA twice daily reduces exercise-associated pain in individuals with peripheral arterial disease (a condition affecting the leg arteries) compared to placebo. However, exercise tolerance does not seem to improve.
Posologie
Oral route
600 mg
Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight/Obese Youths: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial
Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in peripheral arterial disease: a pilot study
Properties
Antioxidant
The antioxidant properties of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) lie in its ability to capture free radicals and regenerate endogenous antioxidants: glutathione and vitamins C and E. ALA can protect lipids from oxidative damage and can also help maintain normal blood cholesterol levels.
Usages associés
Bioenergetic
Alpha-lipoic acid plays an important role in burning fats to produce energy and in transporting fatty acids across the mitochondrial membranes (cellular organelle) where they are oxidized and transformed into energy.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Alpha-lipoic acid modulates the inflammatory response and can inhibit vascular inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect has also been correlated in several studies with a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines (small proteins secreted by inflammatory cells) such as TNF alpha and IL6.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
Alpha-lipoic acid helps lower blood glucose levels and regulate insulin resistance. Additionally, it has proven effective in protecting against protein glycation (a natural reaction caused by high sugar concentrations in the blood as seen in diabetes) and helps regulate the damage caused by end-glycation products. These glycation products, highly dangerous for the body, accumulate with age and thus contribute to the development of several diseases such as arteriosclerosis, nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy.
Usages associés
Anti-aging
ALA has shown positive effects in fighting certain forms of oxidation and inflammation, helping protect against age-related neurological declines. ALA is also a powerful antioxidant and, from this perspective, is considered an anti-aging ally.
Usages associés
Chelator
It has been demonstrated that alpha-lipoic acid chelates heavy metals. In animal research, it has been shown that alpha-lipoic acid increases hepatobiliary excretion of inorganic mercury by forming a stable complex.
Anticancer
It has been demonstrated that alpha-lipoic acid induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in human colon cancer cells in vitro. Additionally, ALA has shown antimutagenic activities in animal and human tumorigenic cell models, including breast cancer, melanoma, ovarian epithelium, and colon cancer by inhibiting inflammatory mediators, DNA fragmentation, and inhibiting metastasis.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years: 200 mg - 1200 mg
Orally, alpha-lipoic acid is very well tolerated in humans up to a dose of 1200 mg/day with treatment durations of up to 4 weeks. It can also be applied topically for up to 12 weeks.
Interactions
Médicaments
Anticancer drugs: moderate interaction
The use of alpha-lipoic acid during chemotherapy is controversial. Antioxidants might reduce chemotherapy activity (including cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, carmustine, busulfan, and thiotepa) by generating free radicals. However, some researchers hypothesize that antioxidants could make chemotherapy more effective by reducing oxidative stress that may interfere with the apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells.
Antidiabetics: weak interaction
Theoretically, the use of alkylating agents can produce hypoglycemic effects in diabetic individuals.
Hormones: moderate interaction
Theoretically, administration of alpha-lipoic acid with thyroid hormone-based medications reduces their therapeutic effects.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Hypoglycemic: weak interaction
Theoretically, alpha-lipoic acid could have additive effects with plants that lower blood glucose levels. Herbs with hypoglycemic effects include devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, and Siberian ginseng.
Precautions
Type 2 Diabetes: use with caution
Alpha-lipoic acid should be used with caution in diabetic individuals due to its hypoglycemic action.
Surgical Intervention: avoid
Theoretically, alpha-lipoic acid could cause excessive bleeding or interfere with blood glucose control if used perioperatively.
Contraindications
Child up to 12 years: prohibited
Alpha-lipoic acid is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
Pregnant woman: prohibited
Alpha-lipoic acid is not recommended during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding woman: prohibited
Due to a lack of studies, avoid the use of lipoic acid during breastfeeding.
Vitamin B1 deficiency: prohibited
Alpha-lipoic acid should not be used in cases of thiamine deficiency (vitamin B1 deficiency in alcoholics, for example), unless this deficiency is treated.
