CLA fights fat and dials down inflammation linked to cancer and heart disease.
It’s been ten years. And I still marvel at the way CLA targets belly fat. That’s why I’ve made this “good” omega-6 fat part of the tried and true Fat Flush regimen.
Changes in America’s food supply have made it difficult to get sufficient amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in the diet. For example, cows allowed to graze on grassy pasture have 500% more CLA in their milk than those fed today’s typical diet, high in grain. And removing the fat in low-fat and reduced-fat dairy also reduces this beneficial omega-6.
Meat from grass-grazing livestock has half the saturated fat as that from animals fed chemically altered grains. Like cattle, chickens that feed on pasture also have less cholesterol, saturated and total fat—and 100% more omega-3 fats.
As opposed to grain-fed livestock, grass-fed meats not only add fat-fighting CLA to your diet but also supply cancer-fighting antioxidants. That’s why I recommend grass-fed meats as a lean protein source in Fat Flush for Life.
Found in grass-fed beef, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) appears to benefit a range of inflammatory conditions—atherosclerosis, cancers, colitis, metabolic syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis—according to new research at University College Dublin. Other studies show that CLA reduces oxidative stress in cancer and enhances the body’s immune response.
That’s good news for anyone interested in healthy weight loss, even kids. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that this omega-6 fatty acid is effective for obese and overweight children.
Norwegian investigators have found that CLA leads to a stunning 20% loss of body fat in proportion to lean tissue. Obese postmenopausal women with Type 2 diabetes were able to lower both their body mass index (BMI) and overall body fat in just 8 weeks by taking CLA!
Overweight individuals taking this good omega-6 fat also lost, on average, 7 pounds—without making any dietary changes. And Dutch scientists recently confirmed CLA’s safety—even megadoses taken every day do not affect kidney and liver function in humans.
The Cancer Connection
Lab research shows isomers in CLA help to combat breast, colon, and prostate cancer cells. And a current study in the Journal of Nutrition shows that this omega-6 fat offers protection against inflammation-induced cancers in mice.
A 2007 report from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research also finds “convincing” evidence for a cause-and-effect relationship between obesity and postmenopausal breast, colon, endometrial, esophageal, kidney, and pancreatic cancer. The same report cites obesity as a “probable” cause of gallbladder cancer.
“As time goes on, we’re realizing that obesity is related to more cancer than we originally suspected,” says Donald Hensrud, MD, MPH, associate professor of preventive medicine and nutrition at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. And preliminary research suggests that healthy weight loss may lower cancer risk.
How Much CLA?
Taken as a concentrated supplement, CLA helps the body to burn stored fat, generally resulting in a proportional increase in lean muscle mass, which in turn burns even more fat. And it does this while contributing to healthy weight loss—even without exercise.
Recent research in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that women need to work out at least an hour a day to lose weight. And most women I know aren’t able to exercise that much!
A 2009 lab study shows that CLA may even help protect against muscle loss in the elderly. “Such age-related loss of muscle-mass has far-reaching consequences for the elderly, including impaired physical function, increased risk of falls, fractures, dependency, and death,” investigators say.
To fight both fat and inflammation, try CLA-1000, at the research-based dose of 3 to 6 softgels a day—a level far below the megadoses (19 grams) recently deemed safe. To target belly fat or more rapid weight loss, start with 6 softgels daily for several weeks. Then cut back to 3 softgels once desired results have been obtained. See what CLA-1000 has done for Jeffery Ann:
“After taking the CLA-1000 for about two weeks, there was a noticeable difference in the way my pants fit. The waist band is loose, not cutting in. There’s no more muffin-top!” -Jeffery Ann
Sources:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/303/12/1173
www.latimes.com/features/health/fitness/la-he-obesity-cancer-20100322,0,2957276.story
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20223456
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20219103
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20171598
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20223456
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20136431
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19525080
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20089779
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20043266
www.nutraingredients.com/Research/CLA-shows-weight-management-benefits-for-children/
www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Study-adds-to-compelling-CLA-safety-evidence
www.nutraingredients.com/Research/CLA-may-protect-against-elderly-muscle-loss
I have to say that I started taking CLA because my Specialist recommended it for it’s anti-inflammatory and breast cancer prevention benefits. I don’t eat much beef– which is an important source of CLA– so this essential amino acid was perfect for me! I was mildly surprised by the boost of energy I experienced, too! The weight loss (and I’m almost 50 so not so easy!!) was definitely the most surprising “side effect”. I’m glad to know that you are supportive of this very important amino acid!!
As with any weight loss supplements, one product may work for one person and not for another. Therefore, you’d have to try it yourself in order to discover if a supplement, including CLA, helps you to achieve your goals.Keep in mind that supplements are just that. They are supplements NOT replacements for a healthy regimen.