If you have ever struggled with weight gain, there is a new arsenal in the fight against fat. The antioxidant nutrition in alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has been shown to aid in the reduction of weight when paired with a reduced calorie diet and moderate exercise as compared with those who simply reduced calories and exercised alone. Not only does ALA promote weight maintenance and loss, it also protects against cardiovascular disease, aids in blood sugar control, and helps lower cholesterol levels.

Alpha lipoic acid has many useful properties. It breaks down amino acid chains, activates enzymes important in energy production and is an extremely powerful antioxidant. It is this last property that makes it helpful for fat reduction, because it is the most effective antioxidant inside the mitochondria of muscle cells. What does that mean in English? The only place in your body where fat is burned is inside muscle cells, so getting sufficient ALA keeps your fat-burning engine running as efficiently as possible. Who doesn’t want to burn fat more efficiently while increasing energy levels?

In weight gain studies on mice, ALA’s ability to increase energy expenditure was evident. Those treated with ALA were noted to be much more physically active and actually chose to eat less than those that did not receive the nutritional supplement, even when offered equal amounts of food. While both groups consumed the same diet, the group treated with ALA gained 40 percent less weight than the untreated rodents.

Another unique property of ALA is its ability to increase glucose (sugar) storage in muscle tissue and not in adipose (fat) tissue. This can lead to greater performance, increased muscle activity and growth, greater support of lean body mass and a further reduction in the likelihood of fat storage. This not only benefits those looking to lose a few pounds and tone up, it can mean help with daily management of glucose levels for diabetics, reduction in cholesterol levels, and protection against cardiovascular disease. ALA should not be taken with Omega 6 as some reports have claimed it can cause hair loss.

Weight gain can have a serious impact on your life. While no nutritional supplement can take the place of a healthy diet and regular exercise, a daily dose of alpha lipoic acid might be a step in the right direction. Not only does it aid in weight management, it helps individuals with diabetes manage their glucose levels, it reduces cholesterol and increases energy levels. Side effects like muscle cramps, rash, headache and tingling sensations have been reported in a few cases, but generally they are rare.

Always read the instructions carefully before taking any supplements. A healthy diet is the best way of avoiding weight gain.