CLA - What it is and is it Effective

Over the last few years one subject has been coming up quite often in the weight loss arena and has really started to be quite a hot topic. The subject is a fat known as CLA which stands for Conjugated Linoleic Acid. Rumours say that CLA will cure cancer, lower your cholesterol and decrease your body fat especially around the middle all at one time. Kind of like the superman of fats.

What is CLA?

CLA, Conjugated Linoleic Acid is actually a mixture of positional or geometric isomers (molecules with the same chemical formula and often with the same kinds of bonds between atoms, but in which the atoms are arranged differentlynd are therefore of a different structural formulae) of the omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid. There are a number of different isomers and most studies have used mixed isomers. The fact that these studies used mixed isomers may have contributed to the differences in results of the various studies. Certain isomers seem to be more active than others.

Verification of these studies may have been problematic due to the use of mixed isomers of CLA. The isomers of CLA have different physiological effects on the body and may react differently in obese as opposed to normal weighted individuals.

CLA has been said to be useful in weight loss, cardiovascular disease prevention, diabetes, and cancer treatment. For our purposes here we will only discuss whether or not it works for weight loss and especially fat loss.

Does it work?

It would appear that there is some validity to the claims that CLA reduces body fat and that CLA can be a good supplement to assist in fat loss for the overweight and obese person. More and more studies have been done and are being done and it would seem that CLA comes out on top each time. In fact I haven’t yet seen a study which disputes the claim of earlier researchers that CLA reduces bodyfat. It also would appear from many studies that it appears to help most with abdominal bodyfat.
I have seen such noted names as Josh Bezoni, and Dr. Williams write articles in favor of CLA.

The most common method of obtaining CLA is by purchasing it as a supplement, however blue, brie, Edam, and Swiss Cheeses are also good sources of CLA.