OT: Conjugated linoleic acid(CLA) reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese humans 1/19/01
LyndaNP
http://thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http
://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi%3Fcmd=Retrieve%26db=PubMed%26l
ist%5Fuids=11110851%26dopt=Abstract
Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese
humans.
Blankson H, Stakkestad JA, Fagertun H, Thom E, Wadstein J, Gudmundsen O
Scandinavian Clinical Research AS, N-2027 Kjeller, Norway. Parexel
Medstat AS, Lillestrom, Norway. Scandinavian Statistical Services AS,
N-2027 Kjeller, Norway. Cecor AS, Haugesund, Norway. Natural AS, Oslo,
Norway.
[Medline record in process]
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to reduce body fat mass
(BFM) in animals. To investigate the dose-response relationships of
conjugated linoleic acid with regard to BFM in humans, a randomized,
double-blind study including 60 overweight or obese volunteers (body
mass index 25-35 kg/m(2)) was performed. The subjects were divided into
five groups receiving placebo (9 g olive oil), 1.7, 3.4, 5.1 or 6.8 g
conjugated linoleic acid per day for 12 wk, respectively. Dual-energy
X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure body composition [measurements
at wk 0 (baseline), 6 and 12]. Of the 60 subjects, 47 completed the
study. Eight subjects withdrew from the study due to adverse events;
however, no differences among treatment groups were found regarding
adverse events. Repeated-measures analysis showed that a significantly
higher reduction in BFM was found in the conjugated linoleic acid groups
compared with the placebo group (P: = 0.03). The reduction of body fat
within the groups was significant for the 3.4 and 6.8 g CLA groups (P: =
0.05 and P: = 0.02, respectively). No significant differences among the
groups were observed in lean body mass, body mass index, blood safety
variables or blood lipids. The data suggest that conjugated linoleic
acid may reduce BFM in humans and that no additional effect on BFM is
achieved with doses > 3.4 g CLA/d.
PMID: 11110851, UI: 20574524
From:
http://thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/library/weekly/aa011101a.htm?PM=
n130118d
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Supplements May Speed Weight Loss
News Promises New Tool in Weight Loss Battle for People with
Hypothyroidism and Underactive Thyroid Conditions
by Mary J. Shomon
Major news for people with thyroid problems who are facing weight loss
challenges is the news that the natural dietary supplement conjugated
linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat in people who are overweight.
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study study, published in
the December 2000 issue of the Journal of Nutrition found that CLA
reduces fat and preserves muscle tissue. According to the research
project manager, an average reduction of six pounds of body fat was
found in the group that took CLA, compared to a placebo group. The study
found that approximately 3.4 grams of CLA per day is the level needed to
obtain the beneficial effects of CLA on body fat.
Dr. Michael Pariza, who conducted research on CLA with the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, reported in August 2000 to the American Chemical
Society that "It doesn't make a big fat cell get little. What it rather
does is keep a little fat cell from getting big." Pariza's research did
not find weight loss in his group of 71 overweight people, but what he
did find was that when the dieters stopped dieting, and gained back
weight, those taking CLA "were more likely to gain muscle and not fat.''
In a separate study conducted at Purdue University in Indiana, CLA was
found to improve insulin levels in about two-thirds of diabetic
patients, and moderately reduced the blood glucose level and
triglyceride levels.
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
If you're interested in taking CLA to help with weight loss, keep in
mind that it's not a magic pill, and you will need to start a program of
diet and exercise in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off.
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. (Note from Mary Shomon: I'm taking
Tonalin, and I take 2 with breakfast, one with lunch, and one with
dinner, to get my 4000 mg total per day. After just one week taking CLA,
I already noticed less abdominal bloating, and a slight reduction in
appetite, which may be a result of lower blood sugar).
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.