A study published in the American Journal of Medicine reported that daily intake of alpha-lipoic acid (1800 mg of ALA) for a period of 20 weeks resulted in reducing body weight in obese people. Some common side effects from the ALA were urticaria and an itching sensation but these were generally mild. Researchers concluded that “Alpha-lipoic acid 1800 mg/d led to a modest weight loss in obese subjects and may be considered as adjunctive therapy for obesity.” In addition to reducing weight, ALA is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce damage caused by sugar and free radicals.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21187189
