CLA Supplement Aids Weight Loss
WLR's dietitian reports on a new study showing that
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements can reduce body fat
percentage and help with weight loss.
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Can CLA Help You Lose Weight?
By WLR Dietitian
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New research published in the International Journal of
Obesity reveals that losing weight and reducing body fat could
be as easy as taking a daily CLA supplement.
The US study set out to investigate whether conjugated linoleic
acid (CLA) – a type of fatty acid that’s sometimes used in
over-the-counter slimming pills – could reduce body fat in
overweight adults.
The study included 40 overweight adults aged between 18 and
44 years with a BMI of 25-30. For six months, the adults either
took supplements of CLA or a placebo (a pill that contains no
active ingredient). During this time, the adults were asked not
to change their diets.
The researchers found that over six months, those adults
taking CLA lost significantly more body fat and weight than
those taking the placebo.
Overall, those taking the CLA lost
0.6kg in weight and dropped one percent of fat whereas those
taking the placebo gained 1.1kg in weight and gained 0.2 percent
of fat.
That’s not all. During November and December (the US holiday
season), those adults taking the placebo gained more weight than
those adults taking CLA.
The researchers conclude that CLA supplements may help to
prevent weight gain associated with the holiday period and over
a six month period may help overweight adults to lose weight and
body fat.
WLR says:
This is certainly an interesting study but it only included a
small number of people so the results need to be interpreted
with caution. It would be interesting to see if the results are
repeated with a much larger group of people.
Conjugated linoleic acid is a type of fatty acid that’s found
in meat and milk.
In the last decade, many studies have looked at the role CLA
may play in aiding weight loss. So far, studies on animals have
revealed that CLA does reduce body fat. But to date, studies on
humans have been inconsistent. Nevertheless, CLA is available in
supplement form and is often an ingredient in over-the-counter
slimming pills.
It’s particularly interesting that this study looked at
weight gain during holiday periods. Research shows that small
amounts of weight gained on holiday often stay with us and are
never lost. Over time, these extra few pounds gained every
holiday add up to a considerable amount of excess weight.
Furthermore, overweight and obese adults seem to be particularly
susceptible to gaining weight during holidays.
It’s unlikely that CLA supplements will ever take the place
of eating a reduced-calorie diet and taking more exercise when
it comes to losing weight safely and sensibly. However, it’s
certainly worth watching this space to see what future research
reveals. |
