Does Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Work

Conjugated Linoleic Acid, more commonly known as CLA is a is a type of fatty acid that is found naturally in our diet in minute amounts, which has no significant effect on the body, however in large quantities it has the ability to burn fat and also stimulate the growth of lean muscle making it ideal for anyone looking to lose weight and/or burn fat.

There are several claims that surround CLA, the most common of them being is that CLA can:

Increase metabolism

Reduce body fat

Target the layer of fat on the abdomen

Build muscle

Boost immunity

The mechanism of action of CLA is not fully understood since it acts like a fat yet isn’t used to provide energy as you could assume. Research suggests that CLA is able to inhibit the enzymes responsible for the production of inflammatory proteins, but also it was found that CLA blocks the production of an enzyme that helps your body store body fat. CLA may also act as an antioxidant –fighting free radical damage in cells. However, all the research seems to come to the same conclusion, which is CLA is able to burn fat, stimulate muscle gain and increase metabolism.

A lot of research on overweight people comes to the conclusion that their rate of metabolism increases dramatically, by extrapolating that research onto people whom are working out regularly the results were the same, some published papers even go further and claim that the results are more impressive.

A paper published in 2001 out of Sweden claims that CLA was able to “Decrease abdominal fat, without concomitant effects on overall obesity or other cardiovascular risk factors”, suggesting it was a targeted fat loss which could be explained by the increased cellular sensitivity to insulin preventing the unwanted abdominal fat storage.

Claims that CLA helps build muscle are not very well backed up. Effectively what CLA does is improve the body’s fat to muscle composition by burning the fat around the body.

How much CLA should you take per day?

It is recommend that you take between 2-3.5g of CLA per day with 3.4g being the best preforming dose. You are advised to take the dose split over 2 times a day.

Side effects of CLA

One study found that CLA increases oxidative stress, while another found that taking CLA regularly made you 1/3 more likely to develop gallstones. So one should be careful when taking it. Another side effect which people have noticed is a flaring up of the acne, but that’s usually down to the ingredients used to form the tablets rather than being down to the active ingredient.

If you are going to try CLA, be careful and vigilant for any changes you may notice whether good or bad and consult your doctor.

Conclusion

The use of CLA is entirely dependant on your goals and aims. If you are trying to burn fat or improve your body’s fat:muscle ratio then CLA seems ideal.

CLA seems to boost metabolism and burn fat, targeting the abdomen which makes it a great supplement. However, you need to be cautious of the side effect.

It is important to understand that it is a supplement and it will not fix a poor diet, and so should be used alongside a good diet and regular exercise.

References

1. Terpstra AHM. Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on body composition and plasma lipids in humans: an overview of the literature. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;79:352–61

2. U Risérus, L Berglund and B Vessby. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduced abdominal adipose tissue in obese middle-aged men with signs of the metabolic syndrome: a randomised controlled trial International Journal of Obesity (2001)25, 1129-1135

3. Gaullier JM, Halse J, Hoye K, Kristiansen K, Fagertun H, Vik H, Gudmundsen O. Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 y reduces body fat mass in healthy overweight humans. Amer Jour of Clin Nutr 2004; 79 (6): 1118-1125

4. Risérus U, Vessby B, Ärnlöv J, Basu S. Effects of cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on insulin sensitivity, lipid peroxidation, and proinflammatory markers in obese men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004; 80 (2): 279-83.

5. Blankson H, Stakkestad JA, Fagertun H, Thom E, Wadstein J, Gudmundsen O. Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduces Body Fat Mass in Overweight and Obese Humans. Journal of Nutr 2000; 130: 2943-48 PMID 11110851

6. Kim YJ, Lee KW, Lee HJ. Total Antioxidant Capacity of Arginine-Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Complex. J. Agric. Food Chem 2004; 52 (3): 439-44

7. Blankson, H., Stakkestad, J. A., Fagertun, H., Thom, E., Wadstein, J. and Gudmundsen, O. (2000). Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese humans. Journal of Nutrition. 130, 2943-2948.

8. Gaullier, J. M., Halse, J., Hoye, K., Kristiansen, K., Fagertun, H., Vik, H. and Gudmunsen, O. (2005) Supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid for 24 months is well tolerated by and reduces body fat mass in healthy, overweight humans. J Nutr. 135 (4), 778-784.

9. Kamphuis, M. M., Lejune, M. P., Saris, W. H. and Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S. (2003) Effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation after weight loss on appetite and food intake in overweight subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr. 57 (10), 1268-1274.

10. Lowery, L. M., Apicelli, P. A. and Lemon, P. W. R. (1998) Conjugated linoleic acid enhances muscle muscle size and strength gains in novice bodybuilders. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 30, S182..