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Healthy Body CLA (conjugated
linoleic acid)
available as Tonalin
Decades of research indicate that
CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) actually changes body composition by
reducing body fat and increasing or preserving lean muscle mass—giving
you a leaner, healthier appearance.
Studies found that 3.4 grams
of CLA was needed in order to get the benefits. That's 3,400 mg. Since
the various formulas contain a percentage of other oils as ingredients,
it's wise to probably calculate how much each pill is delivering to make
sure you're getting the full 3.4 grams a day. For example, if your
capsule contains 75% CLA, and it's 1000 mg, then you're getting 750 mg of
CLA, and would need 5 per day to get to the 3.4 grams level. There are
only a few brands that offer this measurement including:Diet Lean Body Fat Regulator, Tonalin CLA and Chromium
,
Natrol Tonalin CLA Softgels
, and
Source Naturals Tonalin 1000 CLA Softgels
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."
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.
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 persons with low metabolic
rates.
-
Decreases abdominal fat
-- Hormonal
shifts such as those related to PMS and menopause or persons
suffering from acute stress, 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.
-
Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides
--
Since many overweight persons have elevated cholesterol and
triglyceride levels, even with treatment, this benefit may have an
impact on a persons health.
-
Lowers insulin resistance
-- Lowering
it can also help prevent adult-onset diabetes and make it easier to
control weight.
-
Reduces food-induced allergic reactions
-- Since food allergies can be at play when weight loss becomes
difficult, this can be of help.
-
Enhances immune system
-- Enhancing the
immune system's ability to function properly is a positive benefit.
If you're interested in taking CLA to help with
weight loss, keep in mind that it's not a magic pill, and you will need
to start a program of diet and exercise in order to successfully lose
weight and keep it off.
There's no evidence that CLA, a food supplement, interacts with
medications, or poses any special dangers. But you should always discuss
any supplements you intend to take with your own physician or
practitioner before starting.
Some people report feeling slightly green or
nauseous after taking their CLA, or isolated cases of gastrointestinal
upset or loose stools. These side effects typically are reduced when the
product is taken with protein (i.e.,with milk), and usually decrease
after about 2 weeks taking the supplement.
STUDIES INCLUDE:
"Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduces Body Fat in Healthy Exercising Humans"
Institution:
Journal of International Medical Research
Description: Volunteers received CLA or placebo for 3 months,
and asked not to make any changes in their diet and lifestyle during the
study.
"Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduced abdominal adipose tissue in obese
middle-aged men with signs of the metabolic syndrome: a randomised
controlled trial."
Institution:
International Journal of Obesity
Results: The CLA group had a significant reduction in body fat
percent from 21.3% to 17.0%, and a reduction in body weight (from 69.6 to
68.9 kg).
Description: Volunteers received CLA or placebo for 4
weeks, and did not make changes in their diet and lifestyle during the
study.
Results: The CLA group had a significant decrease in
abdominal diameter, an average of one inch from their waistlines.
"Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 year reduces body fat
mass in healthy overweight humans"
Institution:
American
Society of Clinical Nutrition
Description: Overweight volunteers received CLA each day over 1
year or received a placebo (control group) per day.
Results: Mean body fat mass in the CLA groups was 6.9% - 8.7%
lower than that in the placebo-control group. Long-term supplementation
with CLA reduced body fat mass in healthy overweight adults.
"Supplementation with Conjugated Linoleic Acid for 24 Months Is Well
Tolerated by and Reduces Body Fat Mass in Healthy, Overweight Humans"
Institution:
Journal of
Nutrition
Description: Follow-up of 12 month placebo-controlled study.
Moderately overweight volunteers received CLA each day.
Results:
Subjects who lost body fat mass in year one of the
study could keep their body fat off, and subjects who previously had
received placebo and were switched to CLA, now lost body fat mass
significantly. Leptin levels decreased over the whole period of
supplementation by more than 20%. Long-term supplementation with CLA is
safe over 24 months at least.
"The Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation during
Resistance Training"
Institution:
American
College of Sports Medicine (2006)
Description: Healthy men and women received CLA or placebo while
participating in a total-body resistance-training program for a 7-week
period. Measurements, before and shortly after completion of the study,
included total body weight, precent body fat, lean body mass, fat mass
and muscle thickness.
Results: After 7 weeks, the CLA group had greater increases in
lean tissue mass and greater losses of fat mass and percent fat compared
with the placebo group. Additionally, the resting metabolic rate (RMR)
remained constant in the CLA group, while RMR decreased in the placebo
group.
"The role of conjugated linoleic acid in reducing body fat and preventing
holiday weight gain"
Institution:
International
Journal of Obesity (2006)
Description: Forty healthy, overweight men and women between the
ages of 18-44 years with a body mass index between 25-30 kg/m2
received CLA or placebo during a 6 month period. Body weight was measured
monthly during the pre-holiday season (August-December), holiday season
(November-December) and post-holiday season (January-March).
Results: Compared to CLA, the placebo group showed a greater
rate of weight gain during the holiday season. Within the placebo group,
holiday weight change was significantly greater compared to the
pre-holiday period. Six-month change in body composition was improved
with CLA compared to placebo, and body fat was significantly reduced
within the CLA group.
CLA is a
supplement, and does not require a prescription. Please note also, that
you should not think that CLA alone will help you lose weight. You still
need to be on a balanced, reduced-calorie, low-glycemic diet, and have to
incorporate regular, vigorous exercise, and weight bearing activities,
into your life. Studies found that 3.4 grams of CLA was needed in
order to get the benefits. That's 3,400 mg. Since the various formulas
contain a percentage of other oils as ingredients, it's wise to probably
calculate how much each pill is delivering to make sure you're getting
the full 3.4 grams a day. For example, if your capsule contains 75% CLA,
and it's 1000 mg, then you're getting 750 mg of CLA, and would need 5 per
day to get to the 3.4 grams level
Source Naturals Tonalin 1000 CLA Softgels
Diet Lean Body Fat Regulator, Tonalin CLA and Chromium
Natrol Tonalin CLA Softgels
