Anti-Obesity Effects of CLA
The interest in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) continues to grow as more evidence emerges showing the fat-loss andanti-cancer effects of this natural dietary supplement.
A study published in the International Journal of Obesity (August 2001) concludes that CLA educes abdominal fat among men classified as abdominally obese. The study participants taking CLA lost an average of 1.4 cm in waist circumference after only four weeks.
Results of this study supports data published in the December 2000 issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Nutrition. That study concluded that CLA reduced body fat and preserved muscle mass among the 60-person study group. Participants lost an average of six pounds while taking CLA. In other weight loss studies”>
Anti-Obesity Effects of CLA
The interest in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) continues to grow as more evidence emerges showing the fat-loss andanti-cancer effects of this natural dietary supplement.
A study published in the International Journal of Obesity (August 2001) concludes that CLA reduces abdominal fat among men classified as abdominally obese. The study participants taking CLA lost an average of 1.4 cm in waist circumference after only four weeks.
Results of this study supports data published in the December 2000 issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Nutrition. That study concluded that CLA reduced body fat and preserved muscle mass among the 60-person study group. Participants lost an average of six pounds while taking CLA.
In other weight loss studies, CLA consistently shows the ability to reduce body fat while maintaining lean muscle mass. In one study, published in Lipids (August 1997), mice fed the human equivalent of 3000 to 4000 mg a day of CLA achieved a60% reduction in body fat and a 14% increase in lean body mass. Another study, published in the American Journal of Physiology that was conducted at Louisiana State University showed up to an 88% reduction in the body fat of male mice fed CLA-after only six weeks!
A particularly significant study entitled “Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acids Increase Lean Tissue and Decrease Fat Deposition in Growing Pigs” was published in the November 1999 issue of Journal of Nutrition. After just four weeks of CLA supplementation there was significantly less fat and more lean tissue in the groups receiving CLA. After eight weeks the pigs with the highest CLA supplementation showed a 31% loss of body fat and a 5% increase in lean tissue.
CLA is a unique supplement because it protects against serious diseases, while also being effective for one of the most serious conditions affecting Americans- obesity. As more Americans join the ranks of the overweight, millions start diets that are usually destined to fail. Why most fail? Because when fewer calories are consumed, there is a slowdown in the metabolic rate that restricts the amount of weight one can lose. In contrast, it looks as if CLA reduces body fat by increasing basal metabolic rates, which enable dieters to lose fat while maintaining lean muscle mass.
Preventing Cancer While Losing Weight
CLA is not just for fat loss. Studies show it may help protect against many diseases including atherosclerosis and cancer.
In a paper in the Journal of Nutrition (December 1999), a study revealed CLA to be a “potent cancer preventative agent in animal models.” Specifically, it was determined that feeding CLA to female rats while they were young and still developing conferred life-long protection against breast cancer.
In an earlier study in Experimental Cell Research (July 1999), CLA was shown to prevent mammary cancer if given before the onset of puberty. Even more important was the finding that, if CLA was ingested during the “promotion” phase of cancer development, the rats had substantial protection from further development of breast cancer.
Another finding that provides new insight into the biochemical action of CLA, is its ability to suppress arachidonic acid. Since arachidonic acid can produce inflammatory compounds that can aid cancer proliferation, this may be yet another explanation of CLA’s anti-cancer effects.
How Gaurana Induces Fat Loss
Guarana has demonstrated weight loss effects in several studies. An animal study showed that Guarana reduced the number of adipocytes (fat cells) by 50%. Guarana provides a natural source of slow-release caffeine. It accelerates the effectiveness of CLA, thus making CLA a more potent fat burner. Guarana has been shown to stimulate the migration of lipids, so fat can be burned as energy.
In response to evidence that the combination of CLA and guarana induces body fat loss by several well-defined mechanisms, Life Extension has formulated a product with both CLA and guarana.
