Can CLA Cause Weight Gain?

There is an often-quoted joke which goes, “I keep trying to lose weight, but it keeps finding me.”

If you struggle with this same problem, you may be on a constant search for any little thing that can help you get off the weight-loss roller coaster. Additionally, when you are trying to build muscle, supplements for weight loss could be the extra boost you need to achieve your goals. One of those supplements is CLA.

CLA is found mainly in beef and dairy products. If you consume too much of these items, which can also be high in fat, you could gain pounds; but if they are eaten in moderation and combined with the right supplement regimen, you should not gain weight.

CLA supplements have been marketed as a weight loss aid for years, but there has been information reported which suggests it could have the opposite effect.

This article will give you the facts you need to make an informed decision about whether it is right for you.

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What Is CLA?

CLA is simply an easier way of saying conjugated linoleic acid. A polyunsaturated fatty acid that comes from beef and the dairy products made from cows, linoleic acid can also be found in oils derived from vegetables and some flowers.

CLA is classified as an omega-6 fatty acid that your body needs for health and repair. There are several different kinds of linoleic acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid.

The healing benefits of a diet rich in CLA have been linked to improving the conditions of people with cancer, cystic fibrosis, and hair loss.

Can CLA Cause Weight Gain?

As you work to build your body with weight training and other exercises, you know that excess fat is your enemy. You are probably trying to cut out anything that might cause you to gain weight.

Nevertheless, foods containing CLA do not necessarily cause you to gain weight and should not be completely removed from your meal plan.

Today, there are so many health warnings and dietary fads that it can be difficult to keep up. You may have heard alternatively that milk and cheese are both bad and good for you. In addition, there have been reports that red meat is dangerous as well as harmless.

Cutting these products from your food plan is a rule of many of the most popular diets. Conversely, when you deny yourself any kind of food, it typically becomes the food you crave, making it hard to stick to that diet.

Journalist Robert Quillen once quipped, “Another good fat-reducing exercise consists of placing both hands against the table edge and pushing back.” This especially applies to your intake of CLA.

Since CLA is found primarily in foods that have high-fat content, many people have stopped eating these foods in their efforts to lose weight. However, if you consume these and other foods in moderation, they should not cause you to gain weight.

When your muscles are surrounded by fat, they can’t be seen. Excess fat is not only an issue for bodybuilders. Obesity affects millions of people in America and can result in numerous ailments such as heart disease and diabetes. More information about eating healthy and government guidelines can be found at the USDA Nutrition website.

CLA could help in your battle against fat. It works by guiding fat directly to your muscles, where it is then metabolized while you vigorously exercise and lift weights.

This makes it less likely that the fat will end up as a flabby bicep or backside. It is also a fact that when you have more muscle, you burn off calories quicker, another reason why building muscle is so important.

Eating too much sugar can hinder your weight loss and bodybuilding goals. In addition to its ability to help you manage fat intake, CLA aids your body in processing glucose. This can have an impact on the amount of insulin that your body has to handle.

How Much CLA Does Your Body Need?

It is recommended that you get at least 3,000 milligrams of CLA every day. If you eat enough food and meat to reach this level, it could actually do more harm than good for your body!

This is where CLA supplements can be beneficial, allowing you to build up your level of CLA without expanding your waistline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have to take supplements?

Unless your doctor has instructed you to take certain supplements, you do not have to take them.

Are supplements safe?

Whether or not dietary supplements are safe to take depends on a number of factors. Learn more about the safety of supplements here.

What supplements do I need to take?

No one can answer that aside from your doctor. To learn more about the various supplements that doctors commonly recommend, check out this article.

Don’t forget that supplementing your diet with CLA is just part of a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you are also managing your fitness and staying active. Check out our PRO Plan to see how we can help you today!