Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

Other Names: Acide Linoléique Conjugué, Acide Linoléique Conjugué Cis-9,trans-11, Acide Linoléique Conjugué trans-10,cis-12, Acido Linoleico Conjugado, ALC, Cis-9,trans-11 Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Cis-Linoleic Acid, CLA, CLA-Free Fatty Acid, CLA-Triacylglycerol, LA, Linoleic Acid, Trans-10,cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid.
Cows are able to convert Linoleic Acid (LA) from the foods they eat into CLA, but humans cannot. Instead, they must get CLA from foods. Both linoleic acid and CLA are unsaturated fatty acids. CLA is also known as conjugated linoleic acid. Alpha-linoleic acid is a similar fatty acid that is also able to be derived from food
See also : Linoleic Acid (LA)

Special Precautions of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

• Conjugated linoleic acid is LIKELY SAFE when used in amounts found in foods and is POSSIBLY SAFE for use in medicinal amounts (larger amounts than those found in food). It might cause side effects such as stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of conjugated linoleic acid in medicinal mounts during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
• Diabetes: There are concerns that taking conjugated linoleic acid can worsen diabetes. Avoid use.
• Metabolic syndrome: There are concerns that taking conjugated linoleic acid might increase the risk of getting diabetes if you have metabolic syndrome. Avoid use.

Benefits and uses of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) are

Conjugated linoleic acid might help reduce body fat deposits and improve immune function.

• Colon and rectal cancer. Some research suggests that a diet high in conjugated linoleic acid might reduce the risk of cancer of the colon and rectum in women. It is not known whether taking conjugated linoleic acid supplements provides the same benefit.
• Obesity. Conjugated linoleic acid might help decrease body fat, but it does not seem to decrease body weight.
• Breast cancer. There is preliminary evidence that conjugated linoleic acid might help prevent breast cancer. Women who have passed menopause and have a higher intake of conjugated linoleic acid from foods, particularly cheese, seem to have a lower risk of developing breast cancer.
• Bodybuilding.
• Reducing cholesterol levels.
• Reduce Crohn’s and Irritable Bowel Disease Symptoms Naturally

Non-Vegetarian Sources of CLA

Many of the foods that are sources for CLA are not suitable for vegetarians. These include pork, beef and turkey franks, veal, lamb, chicken, ground beef, shrimp and salmon. Of the meat options available, lamb and beef products have the most CLA and seafood has the least.

Vegetarian Sources of CLA

Meat products are not the only food sources of CLA. You can also get CLA from dairy products such as yogurt, milk, cheese, sour cream and butter. Vegetable oils are also sources of CLA, though there is less CLA in oils than in dairy. Safflower oil has the most CLA per gram, though canola and sunflower oil also have CLA. Yet even if you eat a variety of meat or vegetarian foods with CLA, the amount of CLA you get from foods is so low that many people choose to supplement. One of the main reasons people choose to use CLA supplements is that CLA is associated with weight loss, but the University of Maryland Medical Center states that there is insufficient evidence to back up these claims.