Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Benefits, Sources & Research

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a fatty acid produced naturally in beef, sheep and dairy fats. Humans can't manufacture CLA, so we have to supplement with CLA capsules or increase our intake of grass-fed beef and dairy products to get the health benefits of CLA.

Weight Loss

• A study published in the December 2000 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition" reveals that participants taking CLA had reduced body fat and increased preservation of muscle tissue.

Function

• Dr. Michael Pariza, of the American Chemical Society, conducted a study that showed CLA keeps small fat cells from growing larger, thus reducing or preventing weight gain.

Anti-Cancer

• CLA can inhibit the growth of tumor cells and reduce the size of existing tumors.

Benefits

• Other benefits of CLA include its ability to lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol to reduce glucose output in diabetics and to strengthen the immune system.

Source

• It is important to eat grass-fed beef and dairy to get the maximum amount of CLA from food instead of supplements. A study at the Dairy Forage Research Center in Madison, Wisconsin, determined that grass-fed beef has 500 times more CLA in its meat and milk than grain-fed cattle.