CLA aka: Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Well that is certainly a mouthful isn't it? Over the next few days I will be running a series covering CLA and it's benefits.

What is CLA or Conjugated Linoleic Acid?

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a naturally-occuring polyunsaturated fatty acid. It is a group of isomers of linoleic acid, meaning that it is chemically identical but has the atoms arranged in a different pattern than ordinary linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is one of the essential amino acids. The human body is unable to manufacture Linoleic Acid or CLA, so it must be obtained form dietary sources. Foods highest in CLA include dairy products and meat from ruminant animals, such as beef, lamb and veal.

Benefits of CLA

CLA has been the subject of a variety of research studies in the past several years and findings suggest that some of the benefits of CLA include the following:

• CLA promotes muscle growth while reducing body fat.
• CLA may be one of the most potent cancer-fighting substances in our diet.
• CLA has been shown to lower cholesterol, lower LDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides and improve the cholesterol/HDL ratio.
• CLA improves Immune response.
• CLA helps normalize impaired glucose tolerance in diabetics.
• CLA increases the metabolic rate.
• CLA decreases abdominal fat.
• CLA lowers insulin resistance.
• CLA reduces food-induced allergic reactions.
• CLA has been found to prevent human platelet aggregation, significant in light of the role 'sticky cells' play in strokes.

Stay tuned for more to follow on CLA.

Gene C.