Conjugated Linoleic Acid sounds pretty complicated. But it’s actually a simple supplement. Let’s take a look at what it is and what it can do.
What Is Conjugated Linoleic Acid?
Conjugated linoleic acid is popular these days, namely because of its use for weight loss. If you haven’t already heard of this supplement for weight loss, then you may have heard of it’s shortened name, CLA.
CLA is an Omega-6 fatty acid that comes from linoleic acid. As an essential fatty acid, it is believed to have a few beneficial properties for our overall health.
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Where Does CLA Come From?
Conjugated linoleic acid can be found in meat and dairy products, like beef and milk. It tends to be most highly concentrated in meat that has been grass-fed. However, these meats still only contain very small amounts so you would need to eat a LOT of them to get the same dose as is contained in a supplement. Supplements can be in capsule form or in a convenient powder.
As an essential fatty acid, CLA suupplements have various fantastic uses within the body.
A study posted in the Journal of Lipids, for instance, found that 4.2g/day of CLAÂ reduced body fat levels in participants without affecting their body weight. Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation is also proven to benefit diabetics, where it was shown to improve insulin action and reduce blood glucose levels, mimicking the action of diabetic drugs. Increasing reasearch on CLA capsule supplementation suggests that conjugated linoleic acid:
Improves immune function
Increases energy metabolism
Reduces body fat percentage
Suppresses hunger
Improves insulin action
Reduces ‘bad’ cholesterol
Lowers blood pressure
Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
Lastly, taking CLA could also help to reduce the appearance of cellulite!
After studying History at The University of Leeds, Katie moved back to her home town of Manchester to start a career in content writing. Katie has a passion for health and fitness and enjoys running in her spare time. Her favourite topics to write about include healthy recipes, performance strategies and general wellbeing.
