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It’s been said for years that you need a steady stream of nutrients to stay healthy and fit, and one of those nutrients that scientists have discovered to be essential for our health is called Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid that is often called the universal fatty acid because it is needed to maintain cellular membranes. In recent years, it has been found to have many health benefits, especially in the area of weight loss, because it helps repair damaged muscle tissue and improve overall blood flow.
There are many benefits of taking this substance to help your body. For one, it increases the production of energy by directly increasing the cellular level of energy. Alpha-lipoic acid also serves vital roles in the formation and maintenance of healthy cells and tissues, specifically collagen and elastin.1 It also has roles in the development of new cells and fibers, processes that help keep us healthy and young-looking. Finally, research indicates that it helps us prevent damage to the cells and fibers that surround our organs.
It’s easy to see how this powerful little substance could help you lose weight and improve your energy production while keeping you feeling great. Of course, before you begin any new weight loss program or plan, check with your doctor first to make sure that a natural, healthy product is right for you. The good news is that there are many products available today that combine ingredients like green tea extracts and other natural substances with ALA that serve as powerful antioxidants to help burn fat.
What is Alpha Lipoic Acid?
In the last few years, there has been a lot of interest in what Alpha Lipoic Acid is, and its health benefits. Research indicates that it can play a significant role in weight loss, cardiovascular diseases, and several other health disorders. But many people still wonder if it’s really effective.2
The body uses every cell of the body for energy production, but sometimes some are needed more than others. One of the extras, called EGCG, is thought to be an important contributor to the health benefits of this organic compound. EGCG is a fat-soluble antioxidant, meaning it helps prevent cell damage from free radicals. It also contains a series of chemical structures known as Xanthones, which make it a good fat-soluble antioxidant.3 Because of its fat-solubility, it can easily be transported to tissues where it is needed.
Alpha-lipoic acids are believed to help support healthy cardiovascular health, because it contains at least two different types of antioxidants, along with one very potent component called P-Coumarone.4 It is believed to be especially effective for reducing blood clots and plaque build-up, because it has a unique formula containing S-allyl cysteine, N-cysteine, and a mixture of quercetin (a common sunscreen ingredient) and tannic acid. Quercetin has been shown in clinical studies to cause a reduction in melanin buildup in the skin, which is one of the main causes of skin damage in both men and women. It is therefore not surprising that many skincare companies include it in their formulas, even though it is not generally recognized as an antioxidant or skin repair ingredient.
The Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid For Health
The benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid for health and weight loss supplements are numerous. You may not think of this fatty acid when looking for natural health remedies but you may be surprised to know that this is a very powerful anti-oxidant as well as being a powerful fat burner. As a weight loss supplement, it can help to speed up your metabolism to help you lose excess fat more quickly. As an anti-inflammatory, this acid can help to reduce swelling and pain around the joints. But beyond these health benefits, here are five more that you may find interesting.
It is often used in natural health remedies to keep the body healthy. So if you suffer from colds or the flu, then this acid is a good alternative to getting a prescription medication. However, it is important to note that too much of this acid can be toxic so make sure that you don’t take too much at one time. It should also be taken with food so that you can achieve the full effects. If you decide to use this as a natural health remedy then you may also want to consider drinking orange juice or taking supplements of Vitamin C.5
It is commonly taken as a weight-loss supplement due to its benefits as a fat burner. It can increase the body’s metabolism and help to burn more calories, which helps to lose weight. This is because lipoic acid works better when combined with the energy-creating chemicals called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This means that it takes less time for the cells in the human body to create ATP and so the more of this nutrient in the body, the faster the muscle cells and fat cells begin to burn off fat. However, the benefits of alpha-lipoic acid for health do not stop there. It also boosts endurance, keeps skin looking great, increases the immune system, reduces wrinkles, improves eyesight and bone density, and even aids in the production of serotonin.
As mentioned above the benefits of alpha-lipoic acid for health are numerous but many people don’t know that they can benefit from these benefits by combining them with other natural health remedies. For example, if you are suffering from dry skin then you may want to try applying a mixture of the mineral salts of alpha-lipoic acid to the affected areas. You could also try taking vitamin C supplements alongside the minerals for an even greater effect. However, you choose to combine these supplements. The most important thing to remember is to consult your doctor first as some combinations may have negative side effects.
What Are the Side Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid?
There are side effects, however, of this particular type of fat-soluble nutrient that one should be aware of. One common side effect is that one may experience increased swelling after taking this supplement. This swelling can usually be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or local steroid creams. Swelling can also be increased if too much fluid was injected during the treatment.6
One other side effect is that it can cause increased water retention in some people.7 If you are a man in this category, these side effects can mean that you will start to lose body mass. In this case, excess water can build up around your organs, causing them to become inflamed and tender. Women can also develop these same symptoms, though they tend to manifest in different ways. They may suffer from excessive dryness of the skin.8
These are the most common side effects of alpha-lipoic acid, although there can be many others as well. For instance, one study reported that pregnant women who took it could experience an increased risk of blood clots. This is because the extra estrogen it contains can lead to the thickening and clotting of blood vessels. This can increase the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke. While these are all preventable with safe doses of this fatty acid, it is still important to be cautious when taking it, especially if you are pregnant. Check with your doctor, particularly if you have high blood pressure or any other underlying medical conditions.
Should Bodybuilders Use Alpha Lipoic Acid For Weight Loss?
Most bodybuilders are familiar with the benefits of using weight loss supplements, such as alpha-lipoic acid. But do you know exactly why bodybuilders use this substance? Do you understand its mechanism of action in terms of losing weight? Let us examine these questions one by one and discover the answer to “should bodybuilders use alpha-lipoic acid for weight loss?”
Firstly, let us look at how bodybuilding supplements such as alpha-lipoic acid work. As most of you might be aware, bodybuilders use a special type of weight-loss supplement known as a weight-loss diet pill or weight-loss shake to help them lose excess fat while maintaining muscle mass. The main purpose of these supplements is to speed up the process of getting rid of calories from the body and so fewer nutrients are used up. However, the problem with this approach is that the bodybuilders keep using these weight-loss products after they have been successful in getting rid of calories.
So should bodybuilders use alpha-lipoic acid for weight loss? Yes, they should! In fact, many athletes, and bodybuilders, in particular, use this substance in order to prevent muscle atrophy in the postprandial period after completing their exercises and weight loss supplements. The mechanism of action is quite fascinating. In fact, this discovery has given birth to new and improved bodybuilding supplements that combine all the latest ingredients in the market, ensuring maximum efficacy with minimum side effects.
Image Credits
Amazon / 2021
Xtend-Life / 2021
Dr. Jockers / 2021
Verywell Health / June 12, 2020
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3 “Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) Supplement Benefit, Side Effects – WebMD.” 13 Feb. 2021, https://www.webmd.com/diet/alpha-lipoic-acid-ala Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
4 “Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Weight Loss, Other Benefits, and Side Effects.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/alpha-lipoic-acid Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
5 “Vitamin C Benefits, Sources, Supplements, & More – WebMD.” 12 Sep. 2020, https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-benefits-of-vitamin-c Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
6 “Alpha-Lipoic Acid (Alpha Lipoic) – Side Effects, Interactions, Uses ….” 23 Jun. 2020, https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/alpha-lipoic-acid Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
7 “Water Retention: Remedies, Symptoms, Causes, and More.” https://www.healthline.com/health/water-retention Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.
8 “6 Simple Ways to Reduce Water Retention – Healthline.” 31 Jul. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-ways-to-reduce-water-retention Accessed 30 Jun. 2021.