CLA stands for conjugated linoleic acid and this supplement is a naturally occurring polyunsaturated fatty acid.
Studies suggest that CLA supplements may help boost the body’s metabolic rate, which in turn helps the body to burn fat and calories at a faster rate.
According to CNNHealth, CLA is naturally found in dairy products such as cheese and also some meats.
The amount in CLA supplements that are marketed online and in health food businesses is around 500 up to 1,000 milligrams per dose.
Remember that supplements alone will not help you live a healthy lifestyle; diet and exercise matter, too. For access to workout plans, nutrition trackers, and more, sign up for an Exercise.com PRO plan today.
Do CLA Supplements Really Help You Lose Weight?
According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, using CLA supplements every day can help overweight adults lose a large amount of excess fat. According to this same study, the amount of body fat lost is a whopping nine percent.
However, the company that funded the study was a maker of CLA supplements so the results aren’t as reliable. Other studies have found positive results as well, but the actual amount of fat loss is still up in the air.
What’s ironic about CLA supplements is that they are dietary fat, but they are fat that helps you lose fat. What the health community has come to find is that it’s not the amount of fat you eat that maintains certain body weight, but the type of fat you eat.
Now there’s a clear distinction between “good” and “bad” fats. CLA is, in fact, a “good” fat.
Using CLA supplements helps the body to increase its metabolic rate. Alongside this CLA also slows the body’s conversion of dietary fat to body fat.
When the body feels as if it’s getting enough fat in the diet it will not store extra fat in the adipose tissue.
For those trying to maintain a healthy diet while supplementing with CLA, the supplement can be further assisted by avoiding the “bad” fats. These fats are found in hydrogenated oils, which are in cookies, crackers and baked goods, soybean oils and also vegetable oils that are low cost.
What should be used instead of the “bad” fats are the “good” fats. These include flaxseed oil, extra virgin olive oil, peanut oil, macadamia nut oil, evening primrose oil, and extra virgin coconut oil.
What Are the Benefits CLA Supplements?
Weight loss is the main benefit of CLA supplements, but research has shown that it can be more beneficial than just that.
When CLA had first been researched as a supplement, it caught attention by its role in killing cancer cells. CLA has been found to reduce inflammation and also reduce the levels of cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream.
One of the final benefits of CLA supplements is its effect on those with diabetes. The glucose levels do seem to drop, but the research has also shown that CLA may, in fact, have some anti-diabetic effects.
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What Are CLA Supplements Potential Dangers?
CLA has shown to be safe and nontoxic, but extensive long term research has not been done in order to know the long term side effects.
Some mild side effects have been shown in CLA supplements, which are fatigue and upset stomach. There has been other research that shows the possibility that CLA supplementation may increase insulin resistance in those with diabetes or who are obese.
One of the other side effects of CLA supplementation is that the liver tends to gain fat. This is a common side effect with rapid weight loss, but the long term effects are still unknown.
What Should I Look for in a CLA Supplement?
There have been several studies on which CLA supplement is most effective for weight loss. What’s important is finding a supplement that contains more CLA than other ingredients.
For example, there are CLA supplements that contain either sunflower or safflower oil. Safflower oil actually contains more active CLA than sunflower oil, making it the better choice.
If budget constraints keep you from buying the most researched or popular brand, try finding one that contains as much active CLA as you can afford; of course, with any supplement, it’s best to do research before purchasing online or in stores.
Supplementing with CLA is important, but to accelerate weight loss you need to follow a proper diet and exercise plan. Sign up for a PRO plan today for access to workout plans that will help you reach your health and fitness goals.