CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID
(CLA) weight loss and side effects, benefits; research finds
(CLA) weight loss and side effects, benefits; research finds
| Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has rapidly become one of the most talked about weight loss products since its introduction to the public in the late 90s. |
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THIS WEBSITE TALKS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS,
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
 | |  |
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid (LA, C18:
2 cis-9, cis-12).
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is popular in health supplement industry as it may have benefits of
reducing body fat and increasing muscle mass. A few studies also suggest that conjugated linoleic
acid (CLA) may also have benefits of lowering the risk of atherosclerosis and cancers for some people.
Sources of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is available in dairy products, beef, poultry, eggs, and corn oil. Bacteria
that live in the intestine of humans can also convert linoleic acid to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Supplements
The source for some conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements are safflower oil. Most brands of
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the market today contain 70% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA); with
no trans-fats present.
Potential Health Benefits of Conjugated Linoliec Acid – Research Supports
Atherosclerosis and Cholesterol
A study has shown the anti-atheroslerotic and antioxidant activities of Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
via increasing oxidative stability in plasma and hepatic membrane in the vitamin E-deficient rats [8]
Individual conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers was shown to reduce the development of
atherosclerotic lesion in hamsters. [9] In a cell culture, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces
apoB100 production and secretion compared to saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, possibly
by limiting the availability of free cholesterol (required for apoB100 production). A reduction in
apoB100 production in the body would decrease the levels of VLDL and atherogenic LDL and thus
reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Some other studies in animals also showed that
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. [15-17]
Cancers
Dietary conjugated linoleic acid CLA was shown to inhibit colon tumor cell proliferation in vitro and in
vivo via the CDK inhibitor p21(CIP1/WAF1). [15] And, various basic research studies have
demonstrated that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) might reduce the risk of several types of cancers
including breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, skin, and stomach. [10-13] Scientists have also
investigated on how conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) inhibited cancer cell growth
extensively. Conjugated linoleic acid CLA may trigger apoptosis in the estrogen unresponsive MDA-
MB-231 human breast cancer cell line via mechanisms involving above all the mitochondrial pathway.
[14]
Immune Function
Conjugated linoleic acid CLA improved performance, lymphocyte proliferation, and increased the
CD8+ lymphocyte population, while reduced the production of PGE2 and interleukin-lbeta (IL- 1beta).
Supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid; CLA enhanced lymphocyte proliferation function, possibly
by regulating the PGE2 production, and improved growth performance of pigs. [15]
Diabetes / Glucose Tolerance
Animal research suggests an effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on improving
glucose tolerance. [16]
Weight Management
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may benefit people who want weight loss. Some studies showed that
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is effective on reduction of body fat. In one study, conjugated linoleic
acid (CLA) significantly reduced percent body fat, but did not significantly reduce body weight [17] In
another study, supplementation with 4.2 grams of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA); per day for four
weeks produced a reduction in waist size but not weight loss. [18]
Safflower oil is a common source for conjugated linolieic acid (CLA), but, the effects of taking
conjugated linolieic acid (CLA) and safflower oil on body mass index (BMI), total and trunk adipose
mass, as well as the lean meat (tissue) can be very different. Norris LE and co-researchers compared
the effects of 2 dietary oils, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and safflower oil (SAF), on body weight and
composition in obese postmenopausal women with type-2 diabetes in a 36-week study. They found
that supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduced body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.0022)
and total adipose mass (P = 0.0187) without altering lean mass. The effect of CLA in lowering BMI was
detected during the last 8 wk of each 16-wk diet period. In contrast, safflower oil had no effect on BMI
or total adipose mass but reduced trunk adipose mass and increased lean mass. Safflower oil also
significantly lowered fasting glucose and increased adiponectin. [S1]
CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID IN MILK
Supplementation of vegetable oils tended to improve milk production of lactating cows, and the
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in milk fat was significantly increased. Soybean oil seemed to
be the optimal source to increase conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) production. [17]
SIDE EFFECTS AND REFERENCE
2 cis-9, cis-12).
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is popular in health supplement industry as it may have benefits of
reducing body fat and increasing muscle mass. A few studies also suggest that conjugated linoleic
acid (CLA) may also have benefits of lowering the risk of atherosclerosis and cancers for some people.
Sources of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is available in dairy products, beef, poultry, eggs, and corn oil. Bacteria
that live in the intestine of humans can also convert linoleic acid to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Supplements
The source for some conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements are safflower oil. Most brands of
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the market today contain 70% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA); with
no trans-fats present.
Potential Health Benefits of Conjugated Linoliec Acid – Research Supports
Atherosclerosis and Cholesterol
A study has shown the anti-atheroslerotic and antioxidant activities of Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
via increasing oxidative stability in plasma and hepatic membrane in the vitamin E-deficient rats [8]
Individual conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers was shown to reduce the development of
atherosclerotic lesion in hamsters. [9] In a cell culture, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces
apoB100 production and secretion compared to saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, possibly
by limiting the availability of free cholesterol (required for apoB100 production). A reduction in
apoB100 production in the body would decrease the levels of VLDL and atherogenic LDL and thus
reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Some other studies in animals also showed that
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. [15-17]
Cancers
Dietary conjugated linoleic acid CLA was shown to inhibit colon tumor cell proliferation in vitro and in
vivo via the CDK inhibitor p21(CIP1/WAF1). [15] And, various basic research studies have
demonstrated that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) might reduce the risk of several types of cancers
including breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, skin, and stomach. [10-13] Scientists have also
investigated on how conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) inhibited cancer cell growth
extensively. Conjugated linoleic acid CLA may trigger apoptosis in the estrogen unresponsive MDA-
MB-231 human breast cancer cell line via mechanisms involving above all the mitochondrial pathway.
[14]
Immune Function
Conjugated linoleic acid CLA improved performance, lymphocyte proliferation, and increased the
CD8+ lymphocyte population, while reduced the production of PGE2 and interleukin-lbeta (IL- 1beta).
Supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid; CLA enhanced lymphocyte proliferation function, possibly
by regulating the PGE2 production, and improved growth performance of pigs. [15]
Diabetes / Glucose Tolerance
Animal research suggests an effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on improving
glucose tolerance. [16]
Weight Management
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may benefit people who want weight loss. Some studies showed that
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is effective on reduction of body fat. In one study, conjugated linoleic
acid (CLA) significantly reduced percent body fat, but did not significantly reduce body weight [17] In
another study, supplementation with 4.2 grams of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA); per day for four
weeks produced a reduction in waist size but not weight loss. [18]
Safflower oil is a common source for conjugated linolieic acid (CLA), but, the effects of taking
conjugated linolieic acid (CLA) and safflower oil on body mass index (BMI), total and trunk adipose
mass, as well as the lean meat (tissue) can be very different. Norris LE and co-researchers compared
the effects of 2 dietary oils, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and safflower oil (SAF), on body weight and
composition in obese postmenopausal women with type-2 diabetes in a 36-week study. They found
that supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduced body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.0022)
and total adipose mass (P = 0.0187) without altering lean mass. The effect of CLA in lowering BMI was
detected during the last 8 wk of each 16-wk diet period. In contrast, safflower oil had no effect on BMI
or total adipose mass but reduced trunk adipose mass and increased lean mass. Safflower oil also
significantly lowered fasting glucose and increased adiponectin. [S1]
CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID IN MILK
Supplementation of vegetable oils tended to improve milk production of lactating cows, and the
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in milk fat was significantly increased. Soybean oil seemed to
be the optimal source to increase conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) production. [17]
SIDE EFFECTS AND REFERENCE