Description
CLA Softgel Capsules- 1000mg (90 Capsules)
CLA Softgel Capsules – 1000mg (90 Capsules) helps withe the following:
- Supports Body Toning
- Weight Management
- Blood Sugar Control
- Heart Health
If you’re interested in the fitness industry or you’ve explored ways to tone your body, you’ve more than likely come across an interesting supplement known as CLA. We’re taking a look at conjugated linoleic acid and the benefits it may have.
Most of the time we are told that fats are bad for us. In some cases, excessive amounts of fat can lead to a high intake of calories but not all fats are the same and they come in different forms.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a fatty acid found in meat and dairy products. It is believed to have a variety of health benefits ranging from the assistance of muscle building, fat loss as well as the prevention of health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
What is CLA?
Linoleic acid is the most common omega-6 fatty acid. It can be found in large amounts in vegetable oils but is also in smaller amounts in various other foods.
“Conjugated” are how the double bonds in the fatty acid molecule are arranged. There are 28 different forms of CLA and all these forms are different based on the arrangement of the double bonds. These tiny little differences in the bonds make a massive difference to our body’s cells.
Technically CLA is a trans-fat but it’s a natural type of trans-fat that is found in many healthy foods. Trans-fats, also called trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans-fatty acids, are a type of unsaturated fat. They come in both natural and artificial forms. Trans-fats are naturally found in animal products like beef and dairy, but they’re also artificially manufactured in some products like vegetable oils, this is when they have serious health implications.
The unsaturated fats in vegetable oils usually oxidise as you heat them, in this form, they’re dangerous to your body’s tissues and can trigger inflammation. This is a risk factor for making your blood-vessel plaques unstable which can lead to a heart attack.
CLA is a natural kind of trans-fat so it can be beneficial to your health (in the right dosage) rather than having any negative consequences.
Can you get CLA from food?
CLA is mainly found in meat and dairy products from cows, goats and sheep. How much CLA is found in these animals varies depending on what the animals ate during their lifetime.
Let’s look at grass-fed cows, for example, the CLA content is 300–500% higher in beef and dairy from them in comparison to grain-fed cows.
Most people ingest CLA from their diets, but many people consume CLA supplements. It’s worth noting that the CLA supplements are made chemically and differ from the CLA found naturally.
Additional Information
Why do people take CLA supplements?
People take CLA supplements for a variety of reasons. Most individuals don’t get enough CLA naturally from their diet and feel that they may need to increase their intake especially because CLA has the ability to help reduce body fat deposits and improve immune function.
Weight loss benefits
Studies done on various animals suggest that CLA may reduce body fat in several ways. Some studies revealed that CLA reduced food intake, increased fat burning, stimulated fat breakdown and slowed down fat production.
Some research done with humans showed that CLA can cause significant fat loss. It may also improve body composition by reducing body fat and increasing muscle mass. This is why CLA is often used for bodybuilding and fitness, but there is limited scientific evidence to support these uses.
However, the benefits of CLA can be seen in those who don’t exercise as well.
Many of the studies that were conducted recommend at least 3g of CLA a day to help with weight loss and muscle mass over a decent period of time.
Health benefits
CLA from food has been proven to lower the risks of many diseases including type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Some people even take CLA to help with their issues ranging from dry skin to multiple sclerosis (MS). But there is limited research to indicate if CLA will help with these conditions.
Are there any risks associated with CLA?
CLA may cause mild side effects when taken in large amounts including diarrhoea, indigestion, insulin resistance and oxidative stress (this leads to inflammation and cell damage).
Like with any supplement you decide to add to your diet, it is best to chat with a healthcare professional to discuss how this supplement may work for you and your specific needs.
There has been a large amount of research done on CLA and according to Healthline, it’s “one of the most comprehensively studied weight loss supplements in the world”.
