The present study revealed that supplementation with ALA slightly but significantly decreased body weight and BMI .
Safe dosage for ALA is up to 1200 mg/day .
However , it seems that ALA can not be cost-effective .
BACKGROUND & AIMS Previous studies have supported positive roles of antioxidant supplements on  weight-loss .
One antioxidant supplement is Alpha-lipoic acid .
However , recommending ALA as an anti-obesity supplement remains controversial .
Accordingly , the purpose of the present study was to perform a meta- analysis on the effects of ALA supplement on anthropometric indices  among adult subjects .
Adjunctive &agr;-lipoic acid reduces weight gain compared with placebo at 12 weeks in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study
& agr;-Lipoic acid ( ALA ) has been reported to be effective in reducing body weight in rodents and obese patients . Our previous open trial showed that ALA may play a role in reducing weight gain in patients with schizophrenia on atypical antipsychotics . The present study evaluated the efficacy of ALA in reducing weight and BMI in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since taking atypical antipsychotics . In a 12-week , double-blind r and omized placebo-controlled study , 22 overweight and clinical ly stable patients with schizophrenia were r and omly assigned to receive ALA or placebo . ALA was administered at 600–1800 mg , as tolerated . Weight , BMI , abdomen fat area measured by computed tomography , and metabolic values were determined . Adverse effects were also assessed to examine safety . Overall , 15 patients completed 12 weeks of treatment . There was significant weight loss and decreased visceral fat levels in the ALA group compared with the placebo group . There were no instances of psychopathologic aggravation or severe ALA-associated adverse effects . ALA was effective in reducing weight and abdominal obesity in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since beginning an atypical antipsychotic regimen . Moreover , ALA was well tolerated throughout this study . ALA might play an important role as an adjunctive treatment in decreasing obesity in patients who take atypical antipsychotics
The present study revealed that supplementation with ALA slightly but significantly decreased body weight and BMI .
Safe dosage for ALA is up to 1200 mg/day .
However , it seems that ALA can not be cost-effective .
BACKGROUND & AIMS Previous studies have supported positive roles of antioxidant supplements on  weight-loss .
One antioxidant supplement is Alpha-lipoic acid .
However , recommending ALA as an anti-obesity supplement remains controversial .
Accordingly , the purpose of the present study was to perform a meta- analysis on the effects of ALA supplement on anthropometric indices  among adult subjects .