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Conjugated Linoleic Acid Information
CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) is a slightly altered form of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid.
Preliminary animal and test tube research suggests that CLA - Conjugated Lineolic Acid might reduce the risk of cancers at several sites, including breast , prostate , colorectal, lung , skin, and stomach. 1 2 3 4 Whether CLA - Conjugated Lineolic Acid will have a similar protective effect for people has yet to be demonstrated in human research.
In a double-blind study, volunteers participating in an exercise program received 600 mg of CLA or a placebo three times per day for 12 weeks. Compared with placebo, CLA - Conjugated Lineolic Acid significantly reduced percent body fat, but did not significantly reduce body weight. 5 In a double-blind study of obese men, supplementation with 4.2 grams of CLA per day for four weeks produced a small but statistically significant reduction in waist size. However, compared with the placebo, CLA - Conjugated Lineolic Acid did not promote weight loss. 6 At present, there is not sufficient evidence to support the use of CLA as a treatment for obesity.
Animal research suggests an effect of CLA - Conjugated Lineolic Acid supplementation on reducing body fat . 7 8 Limited controlled human research found 5.6-7.2 grams per day of CLA produced nonsignificant gains in muscle size and strength in experienced 9 and inexperienced 10 weight-training men.
What do the Conjugated lineolic acid advocates say?*
Research suggests that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may help to reduce body fat and increase muscle. The research supporting CLA's ability to help reduce body fat is good, but more is needed. There are at least seven human studies (two are double-blind and the others are controlled) showing significant reduction of abdominal obesity and body fat mass in overweight and moderately obese people. However, since most of the studies involved a small number of participants and were short in duration, larger double-blind studies are needed to further document the benefits and mechanisms of action.
