Alpha-Lipoic Acid Plus Probiotics May Improve Weight Loss Maintenance

Alpha-Lipoic acid or ALA is an antioxidant that is made in our bodies. ALA works to protect our cells. Probiotics are bacteria and yeasts that live in our bodies. Although some bacteria that live in our bodies are unhealthy, probiotics improve our health. And one study has shown that the combination of ALA supplements and probiotics supplements may enable individuals to maintain weight loss.

There has not been a lot of research on ALA. But some believe that ALA can treat HIV, diabetes and improve weight loss. Probiotics are thought to “balance your ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria to keep your body working the way it should.”

The above referenced study, which combined ALA with probiotics, consisted of 88 overweight participants. The study was carried out in two phases. The participants were divided into groups, and put on different combinations, using low calorie diets, normal diets, ALA and probiotics.

In the first phase, one group was put on an isocaloric diet plus 500 mg of probiotics, one group was put on an isocaloric diet with ALA plus 600 mg of probiotics, one group was put on an isocaloric diet with ALA, and one group was put on an isocaloric diet with a placebo. And during phase 2, the participants were put on normal diets with ALA and probiotics supplements.

Measurements such as weight, BMI, hip circumference and waist circumference were taken and monitored. At the end of the study, the groups on ALA plus probiotics lost significantly more weight than the other groups. The ALA plus probiotics groups also were able to maintain weight loss better than the groups not on the ALA plus probiotics combination.

Of course, more research is needed to determine how the ALA plus probiotics combination works. Indeed, more research into ALA is also needed. But the ALA plus probiotics combination could, potentially, be another weapon in the weight loss and weight maintenance toolbox. The combination could be especially helpful in weight maintenance, since weight maintenance is considered to be more difficult than weight loss. At any rate, healthcare providers should consider the combination of ALA plus probiotics.

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