Conjugated Linoleic Acid

PJG

Hi Folks,

An article in the Sunday indo was stating that CLA can clear blocked arteries in 2 weeks. I was aware of some cardiovascular benefits of CLA but never realized they were this good. Anyone have any good info on this besides what Google throws up. Article never mentioned how much needs to be taken.

cheers

Brenner

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) refers to a family of 8 geometric isomers of linoleic acid, which is found preferentially in dairy products and meat.

CLA comes in two isomers, the 9,11 isomer which appears responsible for improving muscle growth and the 10,12 isomer which primarily prevents lipogenesis (storage of fat in adipose tissue). Most supplements sold in stores contain a 50/50 mix of both isomers.

Various antioxidant and antitumor have been attributed to CLA as studies on mice and rats show promosing results, however it is suspected that an anti-inflammatory concentration within human tissues may not be attainable via oral consumption.

Many studies on CLA in humans include the tendency for reduced body fat, particularly abdominal fat, changes in serum total lipids and decreased whole body glucose uptake. Dietary CLA supplementation shows to be safe and does not seem to have any adverse effects. The maximum response to reduce body fat mass was achieved with a 3.4 g daily dose.

Pretty interesting stuff!! Apparently Kangroo meat is the best source

cousin_borat

I was reading this article and remembered a post asking for more information about CLA. This article is taken from www.lef.org

LOSING FAT WHILE PRESERVING LEAN MUSCLE

Excess body fat accumulates via two distinct mechanisms. People either form more adipocytes (fat cells) and/or existing adipocytes absorb too much fat-glucose and become larger. The effect of too many adipocytes and/or bloated adipocytes is the unsightly and unhealthy amassing of body fat.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to decrease the volume of adipocytes and thus reduce body fat. However, many overweight people have too many adipocytes. These people need more than CLA to achieve effective weight control.

In a study presented at a meeting entitled Experimental Biology 2002, scientists supplemented a group of mice with CLA or CLA plus guarana. Guarana is an herb that contains a form of caffeine called guaranine which is 2.5 times stronger than the caffeine found in coffee, tea, and soft drinks. After 6 weeks, both groups of mice showed a substantial reduction in fat mass. In the CLA-only group, the decreased fat mass was due to dramatic reduction in adipocyte size without a change in adipocyte number. In the CLA plus guarana group, both adipocyte size and number were reduced by 50% (FASEB 2002).

The results of this study demonstrate that dietary CLA decreases excess fat accumulation by reducing the capacity of adipocytes to store fat. When guarana is added to CLA, there is an additional effect of reduction in adipocyte number, as well as a decrease in adipocyte size. The impact of this finding in preventing obesity is profound.

In weight-loss studies, CLA consistently shows an ability to reduce body fat while maintaining lean muscle mass. In one study, mice fed the human equivalent of 3000-4000 mg a day of CLA achieved a 60% reduction in body fat and a 14% increase of lean body mass (Park et al. 1997). Another study conducted at Louisiana State University showed up to an 88% reduction in the body fat of male mice fed CLA after only 6 weeks (West et al. 1998).

A particularly significant study entitled "Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acids Increase Lean Tissue and Decrease Fat Deposition in Growing Pigs" appeared in the November 1999 issue of the Journal of Nutrition. The key element of the study was the confirmation that CLA is able to decrease fat storage and maintain lean muscle tissue. In this study, researchers used young female pigs to illustrate the effects of combining a relatively small amount of CLA with the pig's normal diet. Pigs have organs and metabolisms similar to humans, so they are good experimental models for human nutrition. Sixty pigs were randomly placed in one of six dietary treatments, one being the control group that received no CLA. Each other group received one of five different concentrations of CLA added to the animals' feed. The pigs had free access to water and their diet at all times (2 kg of food per day) (Ostrowska et al. 1999).

After just 4 weeks of CLA supplementation, there was significantly less fat and more lean tissue in the groups receiving the CLA. After 8 weeks, the pigs with the highest CLA supplementation showed a 31% loss of body fat and a 5% increase in lean tissue. In addition, at the highest level of CLA supplementation, the back fat depth was reduced by 25%. This study was the first to show the profound effects of CLA supplements on the composition and deposition of body fat, in relation to protein, water, and other pig tissues (Ostrowska et al. 1999).

A study in the August 2001 issue of the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders concluded that conjugated linoleic acid (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 4 weeks (Riserus et al. 2001).

This double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial observed 25 men with significant abdominal fat for 4 weeks. Some participants (14) received 4.2 grams of CLA per day, while the others received placebo. At the conclusion of the study, there was a significant decrease of abdominal diameter among the CLA group. None of the study participants changed their eating or exercise habits during the trial period (Riserus et al. 2001).

Results of this study support data in the December 2000 issue of the 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 6 lbs while taking CLA (Blankson et al. 2000).

Other Dietary Supplements
Many of today's athletes are using a variety of supplements to assist in generating an anabolic effect so as to increase endurance, strength and, ultimately, gains in lean body mass. For example, acetyl-L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 can enhance a cell-energy program. In addition, many athletes are realizing the importance of antioxidants and minerals and are using a multinutrient formula such as Life Extension Mix and a comprehensive mineral formula with vitamin D, such as Bone Assure.


SUMMARY

The key to successful muscle building is to combine resistance training with proper nutrition and effective supplements so that an optimal anabolic environment is created.

To optimize insulin metabolism:
Super GLA/DHA provides a balanced blend of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Six softgels daily provide 920 mg of GLA, 1000 mg of DHA, and 400 mg of EPA.
Super Alpha Lipoic Acid, two 250-mg capsules daily are recommended.
Super CLA with Guarana can enhance thermogenesis to help reduce body fat while maintaining lean muscle mass. CLA functions by other mechanisms to build muscle. Take three to four 1000-mg capsules early in the day. For people sensitive to caffeine, CLA without guarana is also available at the same dosage.
DHEA will help increase insulin sensitivity and maintain lean muscle. DHEA is contraindicated in both men and women with hormone-related cancers. The usual dosing is 50 mg daily for men and 15-25 mg daily for women. Refer to DHEA Replacement Therapy Protocol for further information including precautions.
To enhance cellular energy, take acetyl-L-carnitine, 1000-2000 mg a day and coenzyme Q10, 100-300 mg a day.
To maintain nitrogen balance and protect against muscle wasting, whey protein is recommended. A daily dose of 2-3 scoops (40-60 grams) of Enhanced Life Extension Protein is recommended for athletes and body builders.
To maximize physical performance and reduce exercise fatigue, take creatine monohydrate as follows: loading phase (2-5 days), 5 grams 4 times daily; maintenance phase 5 grams daily following exercise for up to 3 weeks. Follow maintenance phase with 1-2 weeks off creatine to allow the body to naturally produce the substance.
For men over 40, testosterone replacement therapy may be indicated under physician supervision. Refer to Male Hormone Modulation Therapy protocol for details.
The amino acid glutamine aids in protein synthesis and building muscle, 6-10 grams daily.
HMB, a metabolite of the amino acid leucine, may improve strength and lean body mass, 3 grams daily.
For people over 40, human growth hormone therapy may be indicated. HGH raises IGF-1 levels leading to improved insulin sensitivity, loss of body fat, and increased lean body mass. HGH therapy is administered and monitored by an antiaging specialist.

PJG

interesting, cheers for that cousin_borat