Conjugated Linoleic Acid

There has been a lot of research on the product called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which is believed to improve the immune system functioning and fight body fat. When given to animals in a study it was shown to fight three stages of cancer. There have been improvements in the area of breast cancer with women who took CLA in high doses. For the most part, there are very little human studies involving conjugated linoleic acid. Conjugated linoleic acid is best when it comes from meat and dairy that is derivatives of grass-fed animals. It can also come in supplement form as an active ingredient in various fat burners or supplement form. Today there are changes in livestock feed and a reduction of grass-feed procedures, which means red meat and milk products have fewer amounts of CLA. Those animals who eat natural grass in large amounts usually have 3-5 times more conjugated linoleic acid than those given other diets have.

Conjugated linoleic acid is believed to have the following health benefits:
• Increases energy
• Improve fat loss efforts especially in the abdominal area
• Increases lean muscle mass
• Lowers cholesterol
• Improves immune system functioning
• Increase metabolism

The Vitamin Shoppe has Tonalin CLA that comes from safflower oil that has possible side affects of an upset stomach or diarrhea but I myself have not experienced it. I did notice that I felt a bit hyperactive only a few days after I started but my system soon adjusted. Since have been taking CLA if have noticed more definition in my arms and abs.

I went online to receive feedback on those who took conjugated linoleic acid supplements and found all of the reviews positive. A recent study that was published in the Journal of Lipid Research about the effects of CLA on rats and mice ended with less than favorable results. According to the study mice that were fed conjugated linoleic acid supplements lost weight but storage of fat in their livers was also noticed. This extra liver fat is a sign of insulin resistance and categorizes diabetes 2 symptoms. However, the rats showed no signs of weight loss but also had no fat storage in their livers. An associate professor of human nutrition at Ohio State University, Mary Belury, said that research done on rats and mice might not have the same effects on humans. The reason being, according to Belury, as high as 75% of people with diabetes and obesity develop and illness where fat accumulates in the liver and make them resistant to insulin and this illness is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. There are currently trials conducted on the use of CLA in females that have diabetes. There needs to be further research on this product to fully understand its health benefits but those who rather not take it in supplement for can consume it through dairy, red meat or lamb.