Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation significantly reduces the risk of obesity in an updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled clinical trials

Researchers combined results from randomized controlled trials, where people were assigned by chance to take alpha-lipoic acid or a placebo, an inactive treatment. The studies included adults, often people who were overweight or had obesity. Across the trials, alpha-lipoic acid was linked with small improvements in body weight and other obesity-related measures. The studies were generally short, so they could not show whether the changes lasted or improved health over many years.

What this means for you: Alpha-lipoic acid may produce a small reduction in weight, but this does not establish it as a reliable weight-loss treatment. You can ignore this supplement unless a healthcare professional recommends it for another reason.