Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduces Body Fat Mass
Based on the evidence that CLA is a PPAR-gamma ligand, much like the fancy new diabetic drugs, its effect on body mass is no great surprise. By improving insulin sensitivity, we will prevent the damage occurring to the body from elevated insulin levels. The only problem I do have with CLA is its natural source–meat, dairy and eggs. Quite a confrontation of beliefs, huh?
J Nutr 2000;130:2943-2948 Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat mass, according to a report in the December issue of the Journal of nutrition. CLA is a fatty acid found in dairy products, beef, poultry and eggs. Dr. Ola Gudmundsen, of Scandinavian Clinical research, Kjeller, Norway, and colleagues note that CLA has previously been shown to reduce body fat mass in animals. To assess the dose-response relationship of CLA with regard to body fat mass in humans, they conducted a randomized, double-blind study of 60 overweight or obese subjects (body mass index 25 to 35 kg/meters squared). The investigators report that the subjects received either placebo (9 g olive oil) or 1.7, 3.4, 5.1, or 6.8 g of CLA per day for 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure body composition at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. According to the report, 47 subjects completed the study. “Eight subjects withdrew from the study due to adverse events; however, no differences among treatment groups were found regarding adverse events,” the team says. Further, they observed no significant differences among the groups in lean body mass, body mass index, blood safety variables, or blood lipids. “Repeated-measures analysis showed that a significantly higher reduction in body fat mass was found in the CLA groups compared with the placebo group,” the researchers say. Further, they add, “the reduction of body fat within the groups was significant for the 3.4 g and 6.8 g CLA groups.”