Micronutrients & recovery
Antioxidant supplements (zinc, lipoic acid, carnitine, cinnamon, green tea, and possibly vitamin C plus E) provide only marginal benefits for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes, whereas antioxidant-rich foods are recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Do not rely on antioxidant supplements to fix obesity or diabetes. The evidence shows only marginal benefits for specific supplements like zinc, lipoic acid, and carnitine. Instead, focus on consuming antioxidant-rich whole foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts) as part of a broader lifestyle that includes weight management and exercise. Supplements are not a substitute for these foundational habits.
the literature presents reasonable evidence for marginal benefits of supplementation with zinc, lipoic acid, carnitine, cinnamon, green tea, and possibly vitamin C plus E... Overall, antioxidant supplements are not a panacea to compensate for a fast-food and video-game way of living, but antioxidant-rich foods are recommended as part of the lifestyle.
Why this rating
The paper is a review of heterogeneous studies with varying methodologies, doses, and outcomes, leading to mixed results.
Source
How Effective Are Antioxidant Supplements in Obesity and Diabetes?
Daniyal Abdali et al. · Medical Principles and Practice · 2015
DOI 10.1159/000375305
More from this paper
- Lipoic acid supplementation (300-1800 mg/day) may improve glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and weight loss in obese or diabetic patients, but effects are marginal and may be negated without concurrent exercise.Moderate
- Zinc supplementation improves fasting blood glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, and lipid profiles in diabetic patients, with potentially greater benefits for those who are poorly controlled or overweight.Moderate
- Carnitine supplementation (L-Carnitine) provides marginal benefits for body weight, glycemic control, and lipid profiles in diabetic patients, particularly when combined with other medications like orlistat or sibutramine.Moderate
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