Obesity: Alpha Lipoic Acid and EPA Help Women Lose Weight

Obese women: alpha-lipoic acid and EPA promote weight loss

Daily intake of alpha-lipoic acid supplements, alone or combined with those containing Omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), can help overweight and obese women following a low-calorie diet lose weight more easily.

This is the result of a study conducted by researchers from the University of Pamplona (Spain), published in the journal Obesity.

Properties of alpha-lipoic acid on metabolism

Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant and a cofactor of enzymes in mitochondria. It is involved in converting glucose and fats into energy. Some studies have described effects such as body weight and fat reduction and increased satiety. However, human studies on alpha-lipoic acid supplements are limited and controversial, making it difficult to reach definitive conclusions regarding the correct dosage and its potential role in obesity treatment.

Women who took alpha-lipoic acid lost more weight

To expand current knowledge, researchers recruited 97 overweight and obese women to participate in the study. They were divided into four groups: a control group with no supplementation; one taking only EPA (1.3 grams per day); one taking only alpha-lipoic acid (0.3 grams per day); and a group taking both alpha-lipoic acid plus EPA (1.3 grams + 0.3 grams per day).

The treatment lasted ten weeks, with 77 women completing the study, each following a diet 30% below their total energy expenditure. Body weight, anthropometric measurements, body composition, energy expenditure, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, lipid profile, as well as leptin and ghrelin levels—two hormones regulating appetite and satiety—were evaluated before and after the nutritional intervention. Results showed that the control group lost an average of 5.2 kg.

A similar weight loss was observed in the group receiving only EPA (5.4 kg), while those who took only alpha-lipoic acid lost on average 7 kg. Those taking both alpha-lipoic acid and EPA lost about 6.5 kg, but this difference was not statistically significant compared to the control. Additionally, leptin levels decreased in the control group and the alpha-lipoic acid only group: a mechanism that slows metabolism and increases the sensation of hunger.

The decrease in leptin was less pronounced in those who also took Omega-3 EPA. Hypothesizing the potential mechanism behind these observations, researchers suggested that adipose tissue may be a target organ for alpha-lipoic acid, which exerts anti-adiposity effects by inhibiting fat synthesis and increasing fat degradation.

Consequently, these mechanisms could help regulate weight by reducing fat mass without necessarily increasing energy expenditure.

EPA helps maintain leptin levels 

According to the study authors, these data suggest that alpha-lipoic acid supplementation combined with a low-calorie diet may help promote weight loss and reduce fat mass in healthy obese women, and that EPA can prevent leptin decline during weight loss. However, the researchers emphasize that further studies are essential to deepen understanding and clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Source:

A.E. Huerta, S. Navas-Carretero, P.L. Prieto-Hontoria, J.A. Martinez, M.J. Moreno-Aliaga “Effects of alpha-lipoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in overweight and obese women during weight loss”. Obesity February 2015, Volume 23, Issue 2, pages 313-321, doi: 10.1002/oby.20966