Does Conjugated Linoleic Acid Work?
Monday, November 21st, 2011Conjugated linoleic acid is a natural substance found in many of our foods that according to many studies can reduce fat and improve muscle mass in the body. Taken as a supplement with no change in eating or exercise habits, it would not make you lose weight but it could help you lose fat. It is often taken by men looking to lose weight and bodybuild at the same time, but it can also be useful for anyone who is overweight and under-exercising, as any increase in muscle will increase the metabolism, burning more calories.
Conjugated linoleic acid, sometimes referred to as CLA, works well when combined with a healthy dieting plan arranged for slow, systematic weight loss. If you are a follower of the newest celebrity-endorsed fad diets, then it is quite likely you are trapped in a vicious cycle where you lose weight one month, only to gain it all back (and then some) the next. CLA can help you break this cycle, by helping to level out the yo-yo effect somewhat. As it encourages your body to convert fat into muscle, it will help you lose weight and keep it off.
If the person you are asking for advice legitimately cares about your health, and is not just trying to sell you their latest snake oil potion, they will tell you that the most effective and healthiest diet is not a diet at all; you should just eat what you normally do, but eat a little bit less then normal. Of course if you are eating completely unhealthily, then you still need to change your diet anyway, but there’s no need to do anything too extreme. And CLA can help you there – even a little thing, like switching to organic grass-fed beef (which contains more CLA than regular, cheap beef) can support your body in losing weight.
Many studies have been done on CLA. One study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that people taking CLA lost on average six pounds of body fat more than a group that took a placebo. The researchers discovered that you need around 3.4 grams of CLA per day for it to be effective. CLA is found in food, especially meat and dairy products, but supplementation is necessary for most people to reach that level.
Another study at Purdue University, Indiana, found that CLA improved insulin levels in about two-thirds of diabetics, and slightly decreased their blood glucose level and triglyceride levels, suggesting that it may help to maintain normal insulin levels. But see your doctor before taking any supplements if you have diabetes.
There are no magic pills for weight loss but if you are willing to commit to reducing your body fat permanently, CLA may help you. Keep in mind that its main effect is to convert fat to muscle, which by itself will not weigh any less. But your body will look slimmer and feel healthier if you do this, and combined with a good weight control eating plan conjugated linoleic acid can help you move toward your ideal weight too.
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