Conjugated linoleic acid or CLA is a somewhat transformed form of the essential fatty linoleic acid and it is an unsaturated fatty acid which can be gotten from lamb, beef, and dairy products. This acid in supplements is mostly drawn from from vegetable oils that are abundant in linoleic acids. It can be found in meat and dairy products.
What are the uses of CLA?
1. It can be used for weight loss.
Some research has pointed out that CLA can decrease weight but there is no conclusive evidence to support this. Also, conjugated linoleic acid is a newly acknowledged supplement and can be obtained naturally from an assortment of foods, as well as dairy products along with the meat of mammals such as ruminants.
2. It has an effect on breast carcinomas.
Studies indicate that conjugated linoleic acids may have a protecting effect against mammary cancer, but findings to prove this are inconsistent.
3. It has favorable effects on cholesterol.
CLA has a good impact on cholesterol, as it may have negative effects on blood sugar as well as insulin sensitivity.
4. It has therapeutic potential with treating diabetes.
CLA supplements might have therapeutic potential with insulin sensitivity in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid And Its Side Effects
When consumed by means of the diet, this acid does not cause any substantial side effects although dietary supplements might cause some serious problems. Some negative effects of conjugated linoleic acid can be mild, such as when there are reports of feeling nauseated after taking CLA, or gastrointestinal upset and a loose stool. These kinds of side effects are usually lessened when the nutrient is ingested with protein and are typically reduced after two weeks or consuming the supplement.
Serious side effects can be the following:
Low HDL cholesterol (or the so-called good cholesterol) levels, which can enhance the risk of cardiovascular disease;
High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a so-called inflammatory protein which can be an indication of some other serious problems, which can lead to various infections and many long-term diseases;
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia), a condition in which a disproportionate amount of glucose is circulating in the blood plasma, and may cause damage to the blood vessels and to the organs they supply, which in turn may lead to diabetes and its complications;
There might also be some indications of allergic reactions, including the following symptoms:
1. Hives
2. Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
3. Wheezing
4. An unexplained rash
5. Itching
6. Unexplained swelling of the face or other parts of the body
What is the correct dosage of CLA and when should it be taken?
Studies indicate that some 3,400 milligrams of CLA is necessary to gain the necessary benefits from its usage. As regarding when to take it, there are numerous recommendations which hold opposing views. Some suggest it is best to ingest it prior to eating and others to consume it along with meals. Yet others recommend taking it with low fat or nonfat milk for a maximal absorbing of protein.
Does this acid contain soy?
Soy allergy is one of the most common food allergies, and it is a hypersensitivity to nutritional substances from soy which can cause an overreacting of the immune system which in turn might cause serious physical symptoms. Thus, many people try to avoid this protein, especially in food supplements. As for CLA products, for example, the product Tonalin CLA (size: 1000 milligrams) does not include any soybean oil or soy. This formula contains the acid from safflower oil, and furthermore, no soy or soybean oil at all.