Content
- 1 What is lipoic acid and what is it for
- 2 How Lipoic Acid Works
- 3 Benefits of Lipoic Acid
- 4 Lipoic acid in sports
- 5 Lipoic acid for diabetes
- 6 Indications for taking lipoic acid
- 7 What foods contain lipoic acid
- 8 Daily rate and rules for taking lipoic acid
- 9 How to drink lipoic acid for weight loss
- 10 Lipoic acid during pregnancy
- 11 Lipoic acid for children
- 12 Benefits and uses of lipoic acid for facial skin
- 13 Side effects of taking lipoic acid
- 14 Contraindications to the use of lipoic acid
- 15 Lipoic acid overdose
- 16 Interaction of lipoic acid with other substances
- 17 Lipoic acid analogs
- 18 Conclusion
- 19 Reviews of doctors
- 20 Reviews of losing weight
Lipoic acid is a vitamin substance in the form of a yellow crystalline powder. It has a beneficial effect on the body, improves many internal processes. Before you start using it, it is important to understand what the benefits and harms of lipoic acid are.
What is lipoic acid and what is it for
Also found under other names - alpha-lipoic, thioctic, lipamide, vitamin N, LA - lipoic acid refers to vitamin or semi-vitamin substances. Scientists do not call it a full-fledged vitamin, since lipamide has the property of being synthesized in small quantities by the person himself. Lipoic acid, unlike other fatty acids and vitamins, is a water and fat soluble substance. It is produced in the form of a yellow powder and is packed in small capsules or tablets for consumption. LK has a special smell and bitter taste. Lipoic acid is involved in many processes inside, has a positive effect on the state of the digestive system, it improves metabolism, accelerates the formation of new energy.
How Lipoic Acid Works
ALA (alpha lipoic acid) breaks down into lipamides when ingested. These beneficial substances are similar in principle to vitamins of group B. Lipamides help the formation of enzymes involved in carbohydrate, amino acid, lipid metabolism, and also break down glucose, tend to accelerate the formation of ATP. That is why lipoic acid is used for weight loss. It helps to improve metabolism and stay hungry for longer.
Benefits of Lipoic Acid
LC provides many benefits to humans when consumed regularly in prescribed amounts. Harm from it can only be obtained if the instructions for use are not followed correctly.
- Lipamides are recommended for diabetics, as they tend to lower and control blood glucose levels.
- They are involved in most biochemical processes inside a person: the synthesis of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and biologically active substances - hormones.
- Improves metabolism.
- Benefit the endocrine glands - thyroid and thymus.
- Lipoic acid helps with recovery from excessive alcohol consumption and heavy metal poisoning in stale or low-quality foods.
- Able to regulate the functioning of the nervous system. Improves the emotional state, has a calming and relaxing effect. Compensates for harm from exposure to adverse external irritants.
- It has the ability to regulate cholesterol levels.
Lipoic acid in sports
Anyone who is actively involved in sports knows the need for proper muscle tissue recovery. Therefore, lipoic acid is very important for athletes. It works as a beneficial antioxidant in the human body, improving the functioning of all internal organs. Lipamides are beneficial by helping to increase muscle performance and prolong exercise time. As anti-catabolic agents that prevent protein breakdown, they help you recover better and get more out of your workout.
Lipoic acid for diabetes
Many studies have shown ALA to help treat grade 1 and 2 diabetic neuropathy. With this disease, a person's blood flow worsens and the speed of conduction of nerve impulses decreases. After many experiments on humans and animals, ALA began to be used as a cure for this disease. Its positive effect is achieved due to its strong antioxidant properties, which are beneficial in neutralizing numbness, sharp pain - common symptoms of the disease.
Indications for taking lipoic acid
Lipoic acid is prescribed for mandatory use in the treatment of many diseases and for prevention, since it can bring great benefits to the body:
- it is necessary in the treatment of inflammation of the pancreas with pancreatitis, which occurs due to excessive consumption of alcohol on a regular basis;
- indispensable for chronic hepatitis, when liver cells are destroyed faster than they are restored;
- lipoic acid is important for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract): cholecystopancreatitis, cholecystitis, liver cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, poisoning of varying severity;
- with chronic heart failure, as an additional source of useful compounds;
- benefits in diabetic and cardiovascular diseases;
- used for the prevention and prevention of many diseases, including atherosclerosis.
What foods contain lipoic acid
Lipoic acid in small dosages can be obtained from conventional foods. Most of all it is found in red meat of beef and pork: heart, kidneys and liver. It is also found in beneficial legumes such as peas, beans, chickpeas, and lentils. Small amounts of LA can also be obtained from green vegetables: spinach, cabbage, broccoli, as well as rice, tomatoes, carrots.
Daily rate and rules for taking lipoic acid
Ordinary people who drink thioctic acid for general benefit and prevention can consume 25-50 mg of the substance per day without harm. For men, this figure is higher - 40 - 80 mg, in such an amount, lipoic acid will bring real benefits. The daily requirement for vitamin N varies depending on the purpose of the intake. In athletes with high physical activity, the dose is increased to 100-200 mg per day. Do not forget that this supplement can cause harm in the form of gastrointestinal upset and nausea in case of overdose. When taking LA in connection with diseases, it is necessary to consult with a specialist who will prescribe the exact dose.
There are several important rules that must be followed while using lipamides:
- To get the most out of ALA, you should refrain from drinking alcohol during your course.Alcohol in combination with lipamides will only do harm, since it blocks all the beneficial properties and does not allow vitamin N to work.
- For high-quality assimilation of vitamin N, dairy products with a high calcium content should be taken at least 4 hours after LK.
- To avoid discomfort in the stomach and intestines in the form of nausea and gas, lipoic acid should be taken after meals. Athletes should drink the supplement no later than half an hour after the end of the training session.
- Do not combine taking serious medications (antibiotics) or complicated procedures (chemotherapy) with lipoic acid. This can lead to negative consequences.
How to drink lipoic acid for weight loss
Lipamides began to be used as a means of losing weight only at the beginning of the 20th century. They have a whole range of beneficial actions when administered in a complex manner along with other measures. So, the best option would be to review your eating habits, change the diet and add more healthy foods to it, and also introduce moderate physical activity into life.
Lipamides in the process of losing weight affect certain parts of the brain that are responsible for the feeling of fullness and hunger. Thanks to this property of vitamin N, a person feels less appetite and can go without food for longer. Lipamides also stimulate energy expenditure by increasing the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. They help all useful elements to be better absorbed, protect the liver and the inner walls of other organs from the harm of the accumulation of fatty deposits.
Taking pills or capsules is worth 3-4 times a day. In the morning on an empty stomach (in case a hearty breakfast will follow), immediately after training and after a light dinner. Vitamin N with such a system will not cause any harm and will be able to give the body all the beneficial properties.
Lipoic acid during pregnancy
Vitamin N intake during pregnancy should be reduced to a minimum level or removed altogether. Lipoic acid will only benefit women if it is carefully consulted with a specialist. To prevent unpleasant effects, it is worth excluding the supplement during pregnancy.
Lipoic acid for children
LK is recommended for use in full courses for adolescents who have reached 16 - 18 years of age with an already formed internal organ system and its normal functioning. However, children can take LA 1 to 2 times a day in small tablets. The daily intake for them is 7 - 25 mg. If this threshold is exceeded, then the benefits of alpha lipoic acid can turn into harm in the form of deviations in the functioning of the body and the development of unwanted diseases.
Benefits and uses of lipoic acid for facial skin
Lipoic acid is actively used in cosmetology. It is used in many anti-aging creams for all skin types. For the skin, lipoic acid produces a refreshing effect, gives the cells a tone, neutralizes the damage received from prolonged solar ultraviolet exposure. Lipoic acid can also be helpful for certain conditions on the face, and is often used to treat acne and pore tightening.
Side effects of taking lipoic acid
Lipamides can have a negative effect on humans only in case of improper use - inaccurate dosage or in combination with other unsuitable drugs. Some side effects may occur:
- involuntary contraction of muscle tissue (convulsions);
- violation of digestive processes;
- high blood pressure;
- allergy.
Contraindications to the use of lipoic acid
ALA should not be given to young children under 7 to 8 years of age. During this period, the body is not fully formed, and an overdose can lead to a deterioration in the digestive tract. Lipamides supplemented should also be eliminated in pregnant women. It is important to consult a doctor and identify possible allergic inclinations.
Lipoic acid overdose
An overdose of vitamin N can lead to the following consequences:
- constant aching pain in the stomach, diarrhea, nausea;
- unusual skin rash, itching;
- headache for several days;
- unpleasant taste of metal in the mouth;
- high blood pressure, seizures, dizziness.
If you find such signs, you should immediately stop taking the drug and contact a specialist.
Interaction of lipoic acid with other substances
Combine lipamides with other drugs very carefully. In combination with vitamin N, you can take useful substances of groups E, D, F. Also, LA interacts well with ascorbic acid, providing an absorbing effect and neutralizing the possible harm from excessive acidity.
Lipoic acid and L-carnitine
Very often, complexes containing the properties of both of these drugs are prescribed for weight loss. L-carnitine further improves and accelerates fat metabolism. Due to this combination, the body primarily uses the energy obtained from fatty acids and glycerin.
Lipoic acid analogs
Drugs like lipamides include the following drugs:
- Octolipene.
- Tiogamma.
- Thiolepta.
In terms of their properties, they are similar to ALA, however, to obtain the most useful result, it is better to use original vitamins.
Conclusion
So, it was found out what the benefits and harms of lipoic acid are. This supplement is necessary, but it is important to control the amount, as unwanted side effects are possible. Lipoic acid has a positive effect on many internal processes, helping to get rid of diseases, and cosmetics and products in its composition can significantly improve the external condition of the facial skin.
Reviews of doctors
Reviews of losing weight