Lipoic Acid and Prevention of Heart Disease

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age 18-60

- Overweight (BMI, 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) or obese (BMI, >30 kg/m2);

- Elevated plasma triglycerides (100-400 mg/dl);

- Weight stable for the last three months and at lifetime maximum;

- Exercise limited to 30 minutes 3 times a week or less;

- Hs-CRP level at baseline of ≤ 10 mg/L;

- Consuming ≤ 2 alcoholic drinks per day;

Exclusion criteria:

- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant before the end of the study.

- Having had acute medical conditions, such as hospitalizations or surgeries, at least three months prior to entry into the study

- Diagnosed as having diabetes (fasting glucose <125 mg/dl for entry), cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, angina, thyroid disorders, cancer, inflammatory disorders or renal, hepatic, or hematological abnormalities;

- Currently taking lipid-lowering drugs, anti-hypertensive drugs, insulin , or oral hypoglycemic agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, weight loss medications, or hormone replacement therapy;

- On an extreme diet and not maintaining a prudent diet;

- Currently taking vitamin or antioxidant supplements, including R-alpha lipoic acid, except standard multivitamin/mineral supplements containing not more than the Daily Value (DV) of the vitamins and minerals;

- Smoking within the last three months;