Is conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) what it claims to be?

No doubt by now you've heard the debates that have been raging on over whether or not conjugated linoleic acid, CLA, is an effective supplement for weight loss. CLA is one of the most researched supplements on the market today. Although the belief that a "miracle pill" has come to free us from the clutches of obesity is a hard sell, CLA is in fact an effective supplement that actually promotes fat loss and muscle growth.

What is CLA and what does it do?

Conjugated linoleic acid, CLA, is an unsaturated fatty acid found naturally in meat and dairy products. CLA is a chemically similar version to Omega-3 fatty acid, and it cannot be produced by the human body. CLA is found to be an antioxidant, an anti-carcinogen, and is able to produce a wide variety of health benefits that maintain a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, CLA is able to simultaneously burn fat and help you gain lean muscle mass. The gain in lean muscle mass caused by CLA thus allows you to subsequently burn even more stored fat.

Where is the proof?

Indeed, spouting statements that CLA can help you lost fat and gain muscle mass cannot be made unless there is undeniable scientific evidence to support the claims, and luckily, there is plenty. As stated earlier, CLA is one of the most researched supplements on the market. Numerous studies have been published where animals were given CLA to test the theory of its ability to burn fat. All of the animal studies showed that animals given CLA lost more fat than those animals who received nothing or a placebo. Although such studies are considered important, animal studies cannot truly prove the fat loss effects of CLA on the human body.

Researchers went further to test the effects of CLA on humans. Researchers from the Scandinavian Clinical Research, headed by Ola Gudmundsen, ran a study where groups of people were either a placebo or CLA. Both groups were instructed to exercise 3 times a day for 90 minutes and to not change their diet or lifestyle. Over a 12 week period, the group that was given CLA lost 2.2 pounds of fat. Researchers Vessby and Smedman of another study found that a group given CLA lost 1.2% more body fat than those given a placebo over a 3 month period. The most recent study released in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition placed more restrictions on the study to further test the ability of CLA to help those taking it lose body fat. The study, headed by Sandra

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