The major objective of this study is to conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to assess whether oral alpha lipoic acid supplementation will decrease cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk in obese subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Han ethnicity
• BMI≥25kg/m2
• Having at least one of the following risk factors: borderline hypertension (130mmHg≤SBP<140mmHg or 85mmHg≤DBP<90mmHg), dyslipidemia (fasting total cholesterol ≥240mg/dl or HDL-C<40mg/dl), or impaired fasting glucose (fasting glucose levels between 6.1 and 7.0mmol/L)
• 18-60 years old
• Not on any antioxidant vitamin supplement

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy, lactation or child-bearing age without birth control device
• History of hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease(CHD), cancer or liver disease
• Anything that would impede the subject from complying with the ALA treatment
• History of psychiatric problems