How can an essential fatty acid help loose those extra pounds?

Jemma Morriss © GoodnessDirect 2001

There is one supplement that has had everybody talking recently. You may have seen articles about it in the Daily Mail, The Mirror, Woman, Woman's Own or Zest, to name but a few. But what is it and why has it caused so much interest? We explain...

What is CLA?

"CLA", is the popular name for a special form of the essential fat linoleic acid – Conjugated Linoleic Acid. In foods, CLA is found in several forms, and scientific research has focused on two of these*, showing that they have important biological activity in the body. Lifeplan CLA provides high ratios of these two forms.

* cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12

Where is CLA found in nature?

CLA naturally occurs in small amounts in meat and full fat dairy products. These days, many people are cutting down their intakes of these foods (which are high in saturated, animal fats), and so their dietary intake of CLA may be low. Supplementation is a convenient and easy way to increase dietary levels of CLA without raising intakes of saturated fats.

Other items of interest

Who may choose to take CLA?

CLA is often chosen by people following a weight loss regime. In the body, CLA is involved in processes which determine the amount of fat taken up by fat cells. This is especially relevant in middle age, when the body changes the way it stores fat, even if the diet stays the same. CLA may also help maintain healthy cholesterol levels in the body, and healthy immune function.