Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation and Iron Homeostasis: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #thioctic-acid #iron #dietary-supplements #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic

Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation and Iron Homeostasis: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

Sharifi-Zahabi et al., 2024 | Int J Vitam Nutr Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Sharifi-Zahabi Elham, Abdollahzad Hadi. Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation and Iron Homeostasis: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2024-Dec-27;95(1):36623. doi:10.31083/IJVNR36623

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence indicates the regulating effects of alpha-lipoic acid on iron metabolism. However, findings from clinical trials are equivocal. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the quantitative effect of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on iron metabolism parameters including serum iron, total iron binding capacity, hemoglobin, and ferritin. METHODOLOGY: Online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched, up to 29 May 2022, to obtain all relevant studies. RESULTS: A total of 1901 publications were identified in the systematic search; of which, 10 studies with a total of 529 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled analysis of the studies showed no statistically significant effects of ALA on ferritin (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -11.01 ng/mL; 95% CI: -40.07, 18.05 ng/mL; I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.670), serum iron (WMD = -0.47 μ/dL; 95% CI: -24.48, 23.54 μ/dL; I2 = 94.7%, p < 0.001), hemoglobin (WMD = 0.49 g/dL; 95% CI: -0.54, 1.52 g/dL; I2 = 95.7%, p < 0.001), and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) (WMD = 3.95 μ/dL; 95% CI: -21.3, 29.2 μ/dL; I2 = 53.1%, p = 0.094). In subgroup analysis, ALA significantly increased hemoglobin in patients with hematological disorders (WMD = 1.23 g/dL; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.45 g/dL; I2 = 96.6%, p < 0.001) and in studies with durations longer than 8 weeks (WMD = 1.03 g/dL; 95% CI: 0.82, 1.25 g/dL; I2 = 96.5%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: ALA supplementation had no statistically significant effect on iron-related parameters. Subgroup analysis revealed a significant increasing effect of ALA on hemoglobin in patients with hematological disorders and in studies with durations >8 weeks.

Key Findings

A total of 1901 publications were identified in the systematic search; of which, 10 studies with a total of 529 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled analysis of the studies showed no statistically significant effects of ALA on ferritin (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -11.01 ng/mL; 95% CI: -40.07, 18.05 ng/mL; I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.670), serum iron (WMD = -0.47 μ/dL; 95% CI: -24.48, 23.54 μ/dL; I2 = 94.7%, p < 0.001), hemoglobin (WMD = 0.49 g/dL; 95% CI: -0.54, 1.52 g/dL; I2 = 95

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population hematological disorders
Sample Size 529
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Thioctic Acid
  • Iron
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Hemoglobins
  • Ferritins
  • Homeostasis
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: iron

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09