Many people take alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) to help control cholesterol. A large review of medical trials looked at real human tests. Doctors wanted to see if ALA pills actually improve blood fats in adults.

Key Findings

The tests showed that ALA works mostly on blood fats called triglycerides. It does not fix all cholesterol numbers:

• Triglycerides: Blood tests showed a small drop. People taking up to 1,200 mg daily for 16 weeks saw the best gains.
• Total, LDL, and HDL Cholesterol: The tests showed no real changes in these main cholesterol numbers.

Study Limits and Tips

The drop in blood fat was small. Also, many of the small trials had mixed results, so more tests are needed to be sure.

ALA can offer a small boost for blood fats, but it cannot replace clear diet changes, daily walking, or standard heart pills. Keep in mind that ALA can also lower blood sugar. Talk to your doctor first if you take blood sugar or thyroid pills.

Reference

Lipid-lowering effect of alpha-lipoic acid: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.