| Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid, | | | | healthy cell membranes. CLA has shown some |
| has been shown to reduce abdominal obesity. | | | | cancer protection properties. It has also |
| Published studies have shown that it reduces | | | | shown to be protective against heart disease. |
| body fat and increases lean muscle mass. A | | | | |
| study in Norway found that people who took | | | | CLA can be found in meat such as beef, lamb |
| 3000 mg of CLA for 3 months had a 20 percent | | | | and in dairy products like yogurt, and |
| reduction in body fat and a five percent | | | | butter. Today there is less CLA in food. Most |
| increase in lean muscle. | | | | cows are fattened in feedlots on grains and |
| | | | not on grasses. This has reduced the CLA in |
| In a different double blind month long study | | | | milk and meat by 80 percent compared to grass |
| of 25 men the abdominal diameter (waist | | | | fed cattle. To ensure that you are getting |
| measurement) of those taking CLA was | | | | enough CLA from your food eat meat from |
| significantly reduced. The drop in waist | | | | cattle that are fed grass. Choose meat that |
| measurement was an average of 1.4 cm. None of | | | | is organic. Since many people have decreased |
| the men changed their eating habits or | | | | their meat and dairy product consumption they |
| exercise routine during the month long study. | | | | are not getting enough CLA from their food. |
| | | | Supplements are necessary. Conjugated |
| Mice fed CLA had a 60 percent lower body fat | | | | linoleic acid capsules can be found at most |
| compared to the control group. CLA has | | | | health food and vitamin stores. |
| consistently shown an ability to reduce body | | | | |
| fat while maintaining lean muscle mass. When | | | | Previous generations consumed more dietary |
| CLA is combined with gaurana the fat burning | | | | CLA. It has been suggested that a deficiency |
| effects are greatly enhanced and appetite is | | | | of CLA in our diet may be the reason for the |
| reduced. | | | | present day obesity epidemic. |
| | | | |
| In a 24 month study, subjects lost an average | | | | Research has shown that CLA can reduce |
| of 4 to 6 pounds following their normal diet | | | | abdominal fat, increase your fat metabolism |
| and exercise routines. There was no change in | | | | and improve insulin sensitivity. Most studies |
| the weights of the control group. | | | | involved taking six 500 mg. capsules of CLA a |
| | | | day on an empty stomach. CLA should be part |
| The list of benefits of CLA supplementation | | | | of all weight loss programs. Consult your |
| is long. It improves insulin sensitivity, and | | | | doctor before using supplements. |
| may lower LDL cholesterol. It helps maintain | | | | |