CLA- Not So God?

interesting info about CLA

CLA has been shown to help with slimming by increasing the ratio of muscle to fat, that is, increasing lean body mass. It has not been conclusively shown to reduce overall weight (see Review of Weight Loss Supplements for weight loss products), however, one study of 80 overweight and obese people in China found that 1.7 grams twice daily of CLA for twelve weeks reduced body fat by 2% by body weight by 0.9% (Chen, Nutrition 2012). In this study, serum total cholesterol levels increased by 3.7%, LDL (â??badâ??) cholesterol increased by 3.4%, triglycerides increased by 17% and HDL (â??goodâ??) cholesterol decreased by 1.4%, although none of these changes was statistically significant. Other studies have found that CLA may lower cholesterol levels but also lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol. The trans-10, cis-12 form appears to be the form most associated with changes in body composition, but may have potential side effects (see Concerns and Cautions)."

"Studies using the trans-10, cis-12 isomer of CLA (the form associated with slimming) have found that it may worsen blood sugar control in diabetics and in obese people without diabetes. CLA may decrease insulin sensitivity, creating a pre-diabetic state and lower HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) (Risérus, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2004). However, because most commercial CLA products contain a mixture of CLA isomers, it is not known if these products carry this same risk. It may be prudent, for individuals with metabolic syndrome or diabetes (or at risk for diabetes) not use CLA except under physician supervision. "

anyone with further knowledge on this?

Silveira, M.B., Carraro, R., Monereo, S., Tebar, J. (2007). Conjuated linoleic acid (CLA) and obesity.Public Health Nutrition. 10 (10A), 1181-1186.

The things that the label of a supplement forget/ do not have to add as they are not regulated by the FDA.

you would think that losing weight and even slimming the waist would improve insulin sensitivity

[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
you would think that losing weight and even slimming the waist would improve insulin sensitivity [/quote]

Depends on what their diet is during the studies. Pre-diabetics are probably grouped into a different study than obese non-diabetics, etc. The findings are then collated. Certain studies allow the volunteers to stay at home, take the drug and eat normally (i.e stuff their faces).

If it isn’t a controlled study, the volunteers were asked to sit on their asses, fill in a journal and take some pills (which they probably didn’t do), go to a clinic to have blood drawn and get paid for handing in a fictionalized autobiography.

I honestly know nothing about CLA but from the information above I do know this much.

completely useless value.

Possible increase in Big LDL’s (a good thing)

This could be problematic due to the fact triglycerides enhance the formation of abnormal lipoproteins (VLDL, IDL, LP(A), Small LDL’s). On the other hand it could just be from direct dietary sources which isn’t a bad thing unless it’s indirectly from DNL (De Novo Lipogensis).

This has to be from something beyond CLA and even so it’s 1.4%. not a clue here

What does CLA have minutia insulin blunting like effects? guess the key word is “May”

Meta-analysis of 18 human CLA studies:

http://www.ajcn.org/content/85/5/1203.long