Conjugated linoleic acid (called CLA for short),
is one of the few non-stimulant fat burners that
shows real promise. Before I go into that...
A little background info!
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a non-essential fatty
acid (which simply means it's a fatty acid that
normally can be manufactured by the body).
CLA is a naturally occurring fatty acid found primarily in
animal proteins like beef and mutton. Unfortunately, it's only present in very small amounts
- you'd need to eat a ton of beef (or mutton) to get an adequate
amount of conjugated linoleic acid into your diet. And of course, since most beef (and mutton) is fairly high in saturated fat,
you'd need to consume a ton of artery-clogging calories on the way.
It's a little like throwing the baby out
with the bathwater... not a good idea. That's why you need
to supplement with CLA if you are to enjoy
any of its many reported benefits.
And what are the benefits of supplementing with
conjugated linoleic acid?
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study published
in the December 2000 issue of the Journal of
Nutrition showed that conjugated linoleic acid...
1) Reduces fat while preserving muscle mass.
2) Displays anti-carcinogenic properties.
3) Helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
4) Acts as a powerful anti-oxidant.
5) Improves levels of good cholesterol (HDL).
6) Regulates fat metabolism.
7) Reduces incidences of heart disease.
In short, all evidence indicates conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is the real deal --
it really does help people lose weight and keep it off.
And even better, since this product is completely
stimulant-free, it is probably the safest weight
loss supplement on the market. Side effects are minor and infrequent,
and if reported generally take the form of mild
upset stomach. Dosage varies according to weight- 3 grams
a day for women, and 4 grams a day up to 200 lbs.
Men over 200 lbs may want to take 5 grams a day.
One other thing...
If you're looking to experiment with conjugated linoleic acid,
be sure your brand has the "Tonalin" name somewhere on the
label. It's the patented form of CLA that was used throughtout
the series of tests demonstrating the effectiveness
of this supplement. Here's a couple of brands
to investigate...
EAS Conjugated Linoleic Acid
CLA Specifically Formulated for Women
