Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

There is no definitive consensus regarding the impacts of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on the risk factors of cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS). This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of ALA supplementation on CMS risk factors.

A comprehensive search of several databases identified 63 eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until May 2025. The meta-analysis revealed that supplementation with ALA substantially decreased homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (weighted mean difference (WMD): -0.74, 95 % confidence interval (CI): -1.17, -0.31; P = 0.001), waist circumference (WMD: -1.10 cm, 95 % CI: -1.66, -0.54; P < 0.001), body mass index (WMD: -0.27 kg/m², 95 % CI: -0.44, -0.10; P = 0.002), fat mass (WMD: -1.42 kg, 95 % CI: -2.53, -0.31; P = 0.012), body weight (WMD: -0.64 kg, 95 % CI: -1.04, -0.24; P = 0.002), serum levels of fasting blood glucose (WMD: -5.28 mg/dL, 95 % CI: -7.21, -3.35; P < 0.001), total cholesterol (WMD: -3.91 mg/dL, 95 % CI: -7.35, -0.46; P = 0.026), hemoglobin A1_C (WMD: -0.40 %, 95 % CI: -0.66, -0.14; P = 0.003), triglycerides (WMD: -2.90 mg/dL, 95 % CI: -5.21, -0.59; P = 0.014), and fasting insulin (WMD: -1.70 mU/mL, 95 % CI: -2.88, -0.53; P = 0.004) in the ALA group compared with the control group. However, no substantial effect of ALA was identified on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

ALA supplementation may improve certain cardiometabolic risk factors by ameliorating anthropometric and glycemic parameters, as well as through its potential lipid-lowering effects.

CRD420251038360.