CLA Fuel: Understanding Conjugated Linoleic Acid & Its Benefits

CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid, is a non-essential fatty acid that occurs naturally in meat and dairy products, such as cheese. It occurs only in these products in low concentrations, so a dietary supplement, known as CLA fuel, is required to obtain the benefits of CLA.

Effects

• CLA has been extensively researched because of its nutritional and pharmaceutical properties. Many studies of CLA in human beings indicate that it is helpful for reducing body fat, especially abdominal fat. A daily dose of 3.2 grams of CLA is sufficient to promote modest loss of body fat, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Fat Storage

• CLA suppresses the activity of the enzyme, or biological catalyst, known as lipoprotein lipase. In so doing, this causes less fat to be deposited and stored in the body.

Metabolism

• CLA increases the rate at which fat cells disintegrate -- a process known as apoptosis -- reducing the total number present in the body. It also encourages the activity of another enzyme, carnitine palmitoyltransferase, which converts fat to energy.