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;