Shop

Is It Worth Supplementing CLA?

Jul 20, 2016 | by: Team A8

What is the greatest challenge with a diet? You would no doubt agree that it is maintaining your fat loss. It is one thing to lose weight, but it is quite another to optimize your body composition. One great way to achieve both is CLA supplementation.

What is CLA?

CLA, short for conjugated linoleic acid, is a fatty acid typically found in dairy products, specifically cows that are fed pretty much exclusively grass.

When cows are fed grain, which they were never supposed to, their ability to produce beneficiary fatty acids diminishes quite considerably. The sad truth facing our society today is that 100% grass-fed beef (and grass-fed raw dairy products)is difficult to find, and it's so much expensive! And as you can see from the chart, you would need to consume a lot from any of the food sources to obtain necessary fatty acids per day. Our typical dietary intake is about 1 gram a day. You need at least about double that to receive some of the benefits that support your ability to lose weight and optimize your body composition. This is where CLA supplementation comes in to play.

How does CLA work?

Dr. Michael Pariza, who conducted research on CLA with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reported in August 2000 to the American Chemical Society that "It doesn't make a big fat cell get little. What it rather does is keep a little fat cell from getting big." He found that when the dieters stopped dieting, and gained back weight, those taking CLA "were more likely to gain muscle and not fat." So CLA is shown to block fat update and then increase the speed of fat burning. And as Dr. Pariza commented, CLA ensures that your total mass of muscles does not decrease. And there are over 35 clinical studies that show CLA assists with weight loss efforts.

Why should you be interested in taking CLA?

CLA has been the subject of a variety of research in the past several years, and findings also suggest that some of the other benefits of CLA include the following:

Increases metabolic rate: This would obviously be a positive benefit for thyroid patients, as hypothyroidism - even when treated - can reduce the metabolic rate in some people.
Decreases abdominal fat: Adrenal imbalances and hormonal shifts that are common in thyroid patients frequently cause rapid accumulation of abdominal fat, so this benefit could be quite helpful.
Enhances muscle growth: Muscle burns fat, which also contributes to increased metabolism, which is useful in weight loss and management.
Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides: Since many thyroid patients have elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, even with treatment, this benefit can have an impact on a thyroid patient's health.
Lowers insulin resistance: Insulin resistance is a risk for some hypothyroid patients, and lowering it can also help prevent adult-onset diabetes and make it easier to control weight.
Reduces food-induced allergic reactions: Since food allergies can be at play when weight loss becomes difficult, this can be of help to thyroid patients.
Enhances immune system: Since most cases of thyroid disease are autoimmune in nature, enhancing the immune system's ability to function properly is a positive benefit.

If you're interested in taking CLA supplements

If you're interested in taking CLA supplements to help with weight loss efforts, please keep in mind that it's not a magic pill, and you will need to start a regular program of healthy diet and exercise in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off in the long run. We have a lot of CLA supplements in the store. You may wish to check out the following products:

Allmax CLA 1000mg (150 capsules)	MusclePharm CLA Core 1000mg (90 softgels)	PVL CLA 1000mg (180 gels)

Disclaimer: All information is generalized, presented for informational purposes only, not medical advice, and presented “as is” without warranty or guarantee of any kind. Readers are cautioned not to rely on this information as medical advice and to consult a qualified medical, dietary, fitness or other appropriate professional for their specific needs. This information has not been evaluated by the FTC, FDA or any other government agency and that this information is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Active8 Nutrition, Inc.