Antiobesity effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation

Resumen:
The incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide and concerns about its association with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease or Type 2 diabetes led to research into alternative therapies to modulate bodyweight and adiposity. alpha-lipoic acid is a natural antioxidant with potential beneficial effects on obesity and its related disorders. This article aims to review the evidence from animal studies, with particular reference to trials in humans. Moreover, the putative mechanisms mediating the antiobesity properties of alpha-lipoic acid, including inhibition of food intake, stimulation of energy expenditure, increase of mitochondrial biogenesis, inhibition of lipogenesis and promotion of fat oxidation, among others, will be evaluated.