Conjugated linoleic acid, also referred to as CLA, is a form of the omega-6 fatty acid which is very effective for the development of human health and is easily available from meat and other food supplements.
Its major health benefits include promotion of metabolic activities, reduction of fat, enhancement of muscle growth, increase in immune system capability and more.
Reported Effects
1) Reduces body fat.
2) Supports the formation of lean muscle.
3) Promotes immune system functions.
Reported effects include:
Improves metabolic activities in the body – One major health benefit of CLA for athletes and bodybuilders is its use as a dietary supplement for promoting smooth functioning of various metabolic activities. This helps such individuals to stay away from many potential diseases and continue to perform their physical activities without any illness.
Reduces body fat – Another important advantage of CLA is its ability to burn the fat accumulated in the stomach. It is an important ingredient which bodybuilders depend on majorly to prevent the accumulation of fat in their body. CLA is also helpful for promoting growth of muscle cells due to its ability to burn the fat creating energy for protein synthesis.
Reduces the level of cholesterol and triglycerides – In addition, CLA is also used as a health supplement for reducing the accumulation cholesterol and triglycerides. This in turn, helps individuals to ensure normal growth of the body while maintaining proper weight.
Prevents food-induced allergies – In many cases conjugated linoleic acid has shown remarkable results for lowering the risk of food-induced allergies. Bodybuilders and athletes who try to control their body weight may be prone to many food allergies and therefore require supplements of CLA to avoid such conditions.
Promotes immune system function – CLA is also effective for improving the function of the immune system to fight against various potential diseases.
Supports the formation of lean muscle – One of the major reasons for the wide use of CLA is its ability to control the body weight while supporting muscular growth. Bodybuilders can benefit from the intake of CLA supplementation as it ensures lean mass to body fat ratio effectively.
Possible Dangers
Conjugated linoleic acid is a safe constituent in many dietary supplements. However, over dose of CLA in some cases may result in stomach upset, nausea, and fatigue. In a few cases, this fatty acid supplement has shown to worsen the symptoms of diabetes.
Pregnant women may be at a risk with the use of CLA, as per certain reports.
FDA Approved?
Conjugated linoleic acid has been thoroughly evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and has been approved for its use as food supplements for various health conditions.
Studies
Early studies have revealed that CLA is quite effective for reducing the extra body fat by improving insulin release. As a result, the fatty acid and glucose components pass easily through the membranes of the muscle cells to strengthen the muscular cells while retaining their lean structure.
Research has been conducted on CLA’s ability to reduce body fat and evidence suggests that CLA effectively promotes metabolic function in the human body and therefore keeps the body safe from potential diseases.
A few studies have also suggested the CLA may be quite beneficial for reducing the symptoms of cancers in the body. However, these studies are yet to gain sufficient evidence to support the anti-cancer properties of conjugated linoleic acid.
An earlier study published in the Journal of Nutrition, 2000, suggests that CLA may be effective in reducing fat content which leads to increased body weight. The same study also reported that this supplement is necessary for individuals to preserve muscular tissue and maintain muscle strength for during workouts.
Supplements using this ingredient:
1. Labrada EFA Lean Gold
2. MusclePharm CLA Core
3. MRM CLA 1250
4. Bodybuilding.com CLA
5. MRM Smart Blend
6. Magnum Nutraceuticals Acid
7. Nutrex Lipo 6x
8. Optimum CLA Softgels
9. NOW CLA
10. PrimaForce Max CLA
Conclusion
Conjugated linoleic acid is a well-known dietary supplement used for bodybuilding, weightlifting, and overall health. Its health promoting features, including its ability to promote muscle growth, form lean muscle, burn abdominal fat, and so on, have made it quite popular among people looking for a better body structure.
Many of the commercial products include conjugated linoleic acid as the primary ingredient, along with another important compound known as para-aminobenzoic acid.