Reviews
Reviews from doctors about alpha lipoic acid are mostly positive. The medicine is quite safe to use, rarely causes adverse reactions (when administered intravenously in large doses), patients tolerate it well, and the medicine is often prescribed as part of complex treatment in combination with other vitamins and medications.
There are a lot of reviews about Thioctic Acid for weight loss:
- “... I recently took a course of the drug. I followed a diet and exercised. I’ve lost weight, I’m very happy with everything”;
- “... Even as a child, a doctor prescribed this acid to me for the treatment of dyskinesia, and since then there have been almost no problems with gallstones. But sometimes I take this substance for prevention. I feel great”;
- “... After the course I always lose a couple of kilograms, I feel such lightness in my body, I no longer want to eat fatty and sweet foods”;
- “... I took the full course, spent money and time, went to shaping as usual, but didn’t see any results. Just a waste of money”;
- “... It’s good, of course, that the medicine is inexpensive and I didn’t have any adverse reactions from it, it’s a vitamin after all. But I can’t say that I actually lost weight because of it. The weight remained the same.”
What is lipoic acid
It also has other names: alpha lipoic acid or thioctic acid. It is light yellow in color and tastes bitter. The chemical composition is not much different from many other chemicals. However, the drug attracts attention with its unique effect on the human body. This metabolic substance is an antioxidant found in all cells of the human body. Chemically, alpha lipoic acid is an amazing combination of fatty acids and sulfur, thanks to this combination it helps you lose weight, gives you energy, and helps protect your brain. There are other types of antioxidants: ascorbic acid is water-soluble, vitamin E is fat-soluble. Lipoic acid also acts in fatty tissues and is water soluble, meaning it penetrates into all tissues of the body. In addition, it is able to restore the amount of antioxidants in the body, as well as promote their activation. When working in cells, lipoic acid is converted into dihydrolipoic acid.
How does lipoic acid work?
Lipoic acid is an antioxidant, meaning it helps reduce the oxidation of lipids (small fat particles). The fact is that in the process of lipid oxidation, free radicals are formed that damage healthy cells of the body, which causes various diseases and reduces immunity. Regulates the binding of heavy metals. This is a very important property, since they can trigger the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Lipoic acid activates the action of ascorbic acid and vitamin E, and also stimulates the formation of glutathione, which is important for the body's immunity. Can cross the blood-brain barrier and compensate for harmful and dangerous effects on brain tissue that can cause serious damage.
Other positive effects of lipoic acid on the human body:
Participates in carbohydrate and fat metabolism Promotes the functioning of the thyroid gland and prevents the formation of goiter Reduces the negative effects of solar radiation Is a participant in the production of energy, an integral participant in the synthesis of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) Positively affects vision Stimulates the resistance of the nervous system and liver to the negative influences of the external environment Stabilizes cholesterol levels in blood Stimulates the formation of “good” bacteria in the intestines Is a powerful antioxidant It acts like insulin, stimulates the processing of glucose Strengthens the immune system.
Preparations containing (Thioctic Acid Analogues)
Level 4 ATX code matches:
Verona
Phibs
Gastrikumel
Fitogastrol
Thyroidea Compositum
Berlition
Thiolepta
Gastric collection
Espa-Lipon
Brewer's yeast
Lipoic acid
Rosehip syrup
Octolipen
Thioctacid
Thiogamma
Figurin
There are a lot of drugs for oral and injection use based on Thioctic Acid.
Common analogues of the product: Berlition 300 , Octolipen , Thioctacid BV , Thiolepta , Thiolipon , Lipothioxone , Thioctic acid-Vial , Thiogamma , Espa-Lipon , Neurolipon and so on.
In combination with cocarboxylase and riboflavin, the substance is part of the preparations Korilip-Neo and Korilip .
Multicomponent preparations: Turboslim , Bio-Max , Selmevit Intensive , Complivit Trimester (1st trimester, 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester).
Thioctic acid, instructions for use (Method and dosage)
When prescribing the drug orally, it is used in a single dosage of 600 mg. The course of treatment is long, on average 3 months.
Instructions for alpha lipoic acid for injection
For severe polyneuropathy , 600 mg of the drug is administered intravenously, slowly, 50 mg per minute. The concentrate is diluted with sodium chloride . The frequency of administration is once a day. If necessary, the dose can be increased to 1.2 g per day. Duration of treatment is up to 4 weeks.
It is not recommended to administer more than 50 mg of the drug intramuscularly at a time. It is necessary to periodically change the injection site.
Alpha lipoic Evalar is taken according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Chemical properties
What is alpha lipoic acid ? Thioctic acid also has the names thioctacid , lipoic acid . It is a vitamin-like substance, a cofactor of pyruvate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes, and an antioxidant .
The substance is synthesized in the form of a light yellow crystalline bitter powder, which is insoluble in water, but highly soluble in ethanol. In medicines, a soluble form of a chemical compound is used - its sodium salt . The substance is found in large quantities in liver, spinach, kidneys and heart, and rice. The body is normally able to synthesize sufficient amounts of alpha lipoic acid . The medicine is produced in the form of a concentrate for infusion solution and intramuscular injection, in the form of film-coated tablets.
Alpha lipoic acid in bodybuilding
The substance is used by athletes to eliminate free radicals and reduce oxidation levels after training. The product slows down the processes of destruction of proteins and cells, speeds up recovery after training. The substance also accelerates and improves the absorption of glucose by muscles and stimulates the processes of glycogen . It is also believed that the acid can be used as an effective fat burner.
Side effects
The following side effects may develop:
- vomiting, diarrhea , nausea, abdominal pain, urticaria ;
- itching and rash , anaphylactic reactions , hypoglycemia ;
- headaches , hypoglycemia ;
- after rapid intravenous administration - breath holding, increased intracranial pressure , diplopia , convulsions , bleeding.
Interaction
The medicine reduces the effectiveness of cisplatin and enhances the effect of oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin .
The substance cannot be mixed in the same container with dextrose , Ringer's solution , ethanol, and solutions that react with SH groups and disulfide bridges.
The product enhances the effect of taking carnitine .
Ethanol and medications containing ethyl alcohol weaken the effect of taking acid.
