
Conjulated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a thermogenic agent that is found in meat,
dairy products (especially cheeses), sunflower oil and safflower oil.
It is said to assist in reducing body fat by using existing fat for energy and increase lean muscle, which in turn makes your body burn more calories when it functions, therefore making it burn fat faster.
Due to these health-assisting properties, CLA is now a leading ingredient in many diet pills and weight-loss health supplements.
Until recent years, people consumed enough CLA through eating dairy and beef fats. But as the way animals are now farmed (including the cease of pasture feeding in several areas around the world), these animals produce less CLA than they used to. People now don’t tend to eat as much meat, and receive lower amounts of CLA in their diets. This has been remedied by making a CLA dietary supplement that is derived from sunflower oil.
Dosage: General recommendations for taking CLA is a dosage of anywhere between 2.5 to 5 grams per day for those trying to lose body fat. The combination of a healthy diet and exercise need to be employed to receive the full benefits from this medication.
CLA Side Effects: As CLA was only made available in 1996 as a dietary supplement, the possible side effects of it are little known. Possible gastro problems were experienced by some users in early studies.
Precautions: Talk to your doctor before you introduce a CLA supplement into your diet. Experts believe that it increases production of prostaglandins, which might increase blood circulation.