Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha-Lipoic Acid
For the health condition: Metabolic Syndrome
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that has been investigated for its potential benefits in metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Several clinical studies and meta-analyses suggest that ALA supplementation may improve certain aspects of metabolic syndrome, particularly by enhancing insulin sensitivity and improving glycemic control. For example, randomized controlled trials have shown that ALA can lower fasting blood glucose, reduce insulin resistance (as measured by HOMA-IR), and modestly decrease body weight in individuals with metabolic syndrome or related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Additionally, ALA has demonstrated potential to reduce markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Some studies also report improvements in lipid profiles, including reductions in total cholesterol and triglycerides, though these effects appear to be less consistent.
However, the evidence is not uniformly strong. Many studies are small, short-term, or have methodological limitations. While ALA is not universally recommended in clinical guidelines for metabolic syndrome, the existing body of evidence provides moderate support for its adjunctive use, particularly for improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Larger, high-quality trials are needed to confirm its long-term benefits and safety.
Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)7-Keto-DHEA
acai berry
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anchovies
anthocyanins
asparagus
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
berberine
Beta-Glucan
beta-sitosterol
bifidobacterium longum
bitter melon
black garlic
blueberry
brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
campesterol
camu camu
canola oil
caterpillar mushroom
chia seed
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
ginger
glucomannan
guar gum
hydroxycitric acid
inulin
krill oil
l-carnitine
lactobacillus helveticus
licorice root
mackerel
maitake mushroom
maqui berry
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
naringin
nicotinamide riboside
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
palmitoleic acid
quinoa
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
sardines
spirulina
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
Urolithin A
vanadium
vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
whey protein
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
algae
kidney beans
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
1-deoxynojirimycin
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
12-methylcarnosic acid
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
Alpha Glucans
Ankaflavin
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Antirrhinin
Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Alpha phytosterol
Algal protein
Arabinoxylan
alpha Methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Arjunolic acid
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Blakeslea trispora
Bean
Betanin
Brazil nut
Charantin
California chia
Cardarine
Cyanobacteria
Capsinoids
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Capsiate
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Calanus finmarchicus
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
corosolic acid
Crypthecodinium
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dunaliella
Dihydrocapsiate
Dragon Fruit
Dihydrolipoic Acid
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Ergothioneine
Ecklonia
peanut
Pistachio
Other health conditions supported by Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Aging (prevention)Alzheimer's Disease
Arthritis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Glaucoma
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hypertension
Inflammation
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Peripheral Neuropathy
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Strokes
Triglycerides (high)
Wrinkles