Health Benefits of CLA

CLA has been touted as the “weight-loss miracle supplement” for claims that it helps to reduce body fat, even without changing lifestyle habits. Research so far does look promising, and there are even reports that CLA may help to reduce and fight cancer. CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid, is a type of omega-6 fatty acid found in meat and dairy products, particularly from grass-fed animals. While we get some CLA from our diets, it can also be consumed in supplement form. CLA supplements have been shown to aid in fat loss and possibly have other health benefits, making it a popular choice for those interested in health and fitness. 

Does CLA Help You Lose Weight?

CLA was originally studied for its ability to fight cancer in mice. Later, it was discovered that it could also help reduce body fat. Since then, CLA  has been the prime subject of numerous fat-loss studies. In animal studies, it’s been concluded that CLA may help reduce body fat by reducing appetite, increasing fat burning potential, and stimulating fat breakdown while inhibiting fat production. In one human study of a group of overweight women, CLA was found to reduce body fat by 9% over a period of one year. These changes occurred without any other lifestyle changes beyond daily CLA supplementation. 

Other Health Benefits of CLA

Beyond acting as a weight-loss aid, CLA may help to reduce your risk of other diseases. Observational studies have shown that people who consume large amounts of CLA through their diet have lower risk of certain diseases than those who don’t. This is even more apparent in countries where livestock eat mostly grass as opposed to grain. People who consume more grass-fed beef have lower rates of heart disease. Additionally, CLA may even help to fight certain forms of cancer. In mice studies, CLA was shown to help reduce cancerous tumor growth. Studies have also shown that women who consume a lot of dairy, which contains CLA, have lower rates of breast and colorectal cancer. 

Side Effects of CLA

Most people generally tolerate CLA very well as it is a natural fatty acid. The recommended safe dosage for supplemental CLA is 3.2 to 6 grams per day, 3 grams being the recommended dosage to see weight-loss benefits. As with any supplement, never take more than the recommended daily amount. Too much CLA may lead to side effects such as diarrhea, insulin resistance, and in extreme cases, fatty liver. However, this is only if you are consuming unsafe quantities. 

Are CLA Supplements for You?

If you need a little boost in your weight-loss goals, CLA may be helpful in getting you there faster. It may be just the thing you need to bust you out of your fat-loss plateau. CLA supplements may be especially helpful if you do not get enough natural forms of it in your diet. This could be the case if you are vegetarian or have an allergy or intolerance for dairy products. Consuming safe amounts of CLA can be helpful in preventing obesity and possibly certain forms of cancer. It is a generally safe natural supplement for both men and women. If you’re interested in making CLA part of your daily health routine, check out HBN’s CLA supplements. Hot Bod Nutrition uses only the best quality, natural ingredients in our products for consumers who are meticulous about their health and what they put in their body. We produce all of our supplements in FDA registered labs for consumer quality control. Ready to start meeting your fat-loss goals and getting your health in check? Check out Hot Bod Nutrition Supplements