CLA has been shown to reduce body fat in people who are overweight.
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, published in the December 2000 issue of the Journal of Nutrition found that CLA reduces fat and preserves muscle tissue. According to the research project manager, an average reduction of six pounds of body fat was found in the group that took CLA, compared to a placebo group.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and Body Fat – Dosage
The study found that approximately 3.4 grams of CLA per day is the level needed to obtain the beneficial effects of CLA on body fat.
Dr. Michael Pariza, who conducted research on CLA with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reported in August 2000 to the American Chemical Society that “It doesn’t make a big fat cell get little. What it rather does is keep a little fat cell from getting big.”
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and Body Fat – Better Muscle Gain
Pariza’s research did not find weight loss in his group of 71 overweight people, but what he did find was that when the dieters stopped dieting, and gained back weight, those taking CLA “were more likely to gain muscle and not fat.” In a separate study conducted at Purdue University in Indiana, CLA was found to improve insulin levels in about two-thirds of diabetic patients, and moderately reduced the blood glucose level and triglyceride levels.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and Body Fat – Research
CLA has been the subject of a variety of research in the past several years, and findings also suggest that some of the other benefits of CLA include the following:
- Increases metabolic rate – This would obviously be a positive benefit for thyroid patients, as hypothyroidism – even when treated – can reduce the metabolic rate in some people.
- Decreases abdominal fat – Adrenal imbalances and hormonal shifts that are common in thyroid patients frequently cause rapid accumulation of abdominal fat, so this benefit could be quite helpful.
- Enhances muscle growth – Muscle burns fat, which also contributes to increased metabolism, which is useful in weight loss and management.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and Body Fat – No Magic Bullet
If you’re interested in taking CLA to help with weight loss, keep in mind that it’s not a magic bullet, and you will need to start a program of diet and exercise in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off.
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