Fatty Acid

TTA

Tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA)

Evidence TierDWADA NOT PROHIBITED

tuneTypical Dose

500–1,000 mg per day

watchEffect Window

4-8 weeks for lipid profile changes based on limited human data.

check_circleCompliance

WADA NOT PROHIBITED

Overview

Clinical Summary

TTA (tetradecylthioacetic acid) is a modified fatty acid studied for lipid metabolism effects through PPAR-related signaling. It is used for triglyceride and fatty acid oxidation claims, with limited clinical validation.

Early research suggests possible triglyceride reductions and increased fatty acid oxidation, with evidence from small human and animal studies. Some work suggests reduced liver fat and inflammation biomarkers in experimental settings. Minority claims include improved insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function, with limited data. Long-term safety and efficacy remain insufficiently established, limiting confidence in net benefit.

Non-metabolizable fatty acid analog that activates PPAR-alpha, upregulating lipid metabolism genes and driving fat oxidation in peripheral tissues without providing caloric energy itself.

Outcomes

What This Is Expected To Influence

Primary Outcomes

  • Modest reduction in plasma triglycerides and free fatty acids in one small human RCT (T2D patients).

Secondary Outcomes

  • Minor fat loss in human subjects over short periods, though far less dramatic than rodent data suggests.

Safety

Contraindications and Interactions

Contraindications

  • Liver disease
  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation

Side effects

  • GI upset
  • Potential hepatic effects (limited data)

Interactions

  • No known drug interactions documented (insufficient data)
  • Avoid hepatotoxic co-supplements (precautionary)

Avoid if

  • Liver disease or hepatic burden concern
  • Active malignancy
  • Pregnancy or lactation

Evidence

Study-level References

tta-SRC-001RCT
Sourceopen_in_new

Løvås K, et al. "Tetradecylthioacetic acid attenuates dyslipidaemia in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, possibly by dual PPAR-alpha/delta activation and increased mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation." Diabetes Obes Metab. 2009.

Population: Men with Type 2 Diabetes

Dose protocol: Source-listed

Key findings: TTA reduced plasma lipids and free fatty acids, demonstrating a shift toward increased fat oxidation. Weight loss was minor but statistically significant vs placebo.

Paper content

TTA reduced plasma lipids and free fatty acids, demonstrating a shift toward increased fat oxidation. Weight loss was minor but statistically significant vs placebo.

tta-SRC-002Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.
Sourceopen_in_new

Morken T, Bohov P, Skorve J, et al. Anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects of the modified fatty acid tetradecylthioacetic acid in psoriasis: a pilot study. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 2011;71(4):269-73. doi:10.3109/00365513.2011.559552. PMID:21338276.

Population: Patients with mild to moderate psoriasis.

Dose protocol: TTA 1000 mg/day for 28 days.

Key findings: Improvements in cholesterol parameters and reductions in inflammatory cytokines in psoriasis patients.

Notes: Small pilot study in psoriasis population. One of the only additional human trials of TTA, confirming biological activity consistent with PPAR-alpha agonism.

Paper content

This small double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study tested TTA (tetradecylthioacetic acid) at 1000 mg/day for 28 days in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis. The study found improvements in cholesterol parameters and reductions in inflammatory cytokines. While not a supplementation study in the traditional sense, this is one of the only human trials of TTA and provides direct evidence of biological activity in humans. The psoriasis context and small sample size limit generalizability, but the lipid and inflammatory biomarker changes are consistent with TTA's PPAR-alpha activation mechanism.

Guides

Setup

Help