Conjugated Linoleic Acid(CLA) - Helps You Lose Weight

Conjugated Linoleic Acid is a type of fat that is marketed as a supplement to help people lose weight. It is most commonly referred to as CLA. There have been many studies done on the effects of CLA supplementation that indicate it can be a useful tool in weight loss.

Definition

Conjugated linoleic acid is a good fat that occurs naturally in beef and dairy products. The amount of CLA in dairy items has decreased over time. Many health practitioners believe that this decrease has contributed to the alarming increase in overweight Americans. The more processed a food is the less conjugate linoleic acid it has. Experts believe the rise in consumption of processed food can be correlated to the drop of CLA in people’s systems.

What It Does

Conjugated linoleic acid has been shown to speed up metabolism, which helps you burn fat more efficiently. CLA prevents your body from storing excess fat. Additionally, research participants reported that CLA helped to minimize their appetites.

CLA is recognized as being beneficial to your heart health. People have reported lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels when taking this supplement. Another reported benefit is lower blood sugar levels, which can make it beneficial for diabetics. These benefits are the reason that CLA is thought to improve the immune systems of people who take it.

CLA has been the subject of a variety of research in the past several years, and findings also suggest that some of the other benefits of CLA include the following:

• Increases metabolic rate -- This would obviously be a positive benefit for thyroid patients, as hypothyroidism -- even when treated -- can reduce the metabolic rate in some people.
• Decreases abdominal fat -- Adrenal imbalances and hormonal shifts that are common in thyroid patients frequently cause rapid accumulation of abdominal fat, so this benefit could be quite helpful.
• Enhances muscle growth -- Muscle burns fat, which also contributes to increased metabolism, which is useful in weight loss and management.
• Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides -- Since many thyroid patients have elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, even with treatment, this benefit can have an impact on a thyroid patient's health.
• Lowers insulin resistance -- Insulin resistance is a risk for some hypothyroid patients, and lowering it can also help prevent adult-onset diabetes and make it easier to control weight.
• Reduces food-induced allergic reactions -- Since food allergies can be at play when weight loss becomes difficult, this can be of help to thyroid patients.
• Enhances immune system -- Since most cases of thyroid disease are autoimmune in nature, enhancing the immune system's ability to function properly is a positive benefit.

If You Are Interested in Taking CLA

CLA is a supplement, and does not require a prescription. It is available at health food stores, and at online outlets like Drugstore.com. Experts recommend that you use a patented name brand, as some brands have inconsistent or insufficient amounts of CLA contained in them. The brand used in testing was "Tonalin" brand CLA, which comes in 1000 mg capsules. To obtain the level determined to be effective in the testing -- 3.4 g, or 3400 mg, per day -- you would need to take 4 of these capsules a day, with meals.

Please note also, that you should not think that CLA alone will help you lose weight. You still need to be, as I am, on a balanced, reduced-calorie, low-glycemic diet, and have to incorporate regular, vigorous exercise, and weight bearing activities, into your life.