- Fat Burning
- Anti-Cancer
- Anabolic Properties
- Lowers Cholesterol
WHAT IS CLA?
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), is a naturally occurring free fatty
acid found mainly in meat and dairy products, in small amounts. CLA was
discovered by accident in 1978 by Michael W. Pariza at the University
of Wisconsin while looking for mutagen formations in meat during
cooking.
CLA is research proven to build muscle, reduce body fat, and induce an
optimum cellular environment for improved health!
CLA occurs naturally in foods such as milk, cheese, beef, and lamb as
well as many processed foods. This is not only impractical, but
would also have a seriously negative impact on your metabolism due to
the high caloric penalty you would pay.
Qualities of CLA
CLA is a natural, polyunsaturated fatty acid found in small
quantities in many foods. The human body cannot produce CLA. It is
efficiently absorbed in supplement form and only low levels of CLA are
needed to produce therapeutic benefits.
CLA received widespread media attention five years ago when it was
identified as a component of red meat that actually prevented cancer.
Further research showed that CLA is a potent anticancer agent, an
anticatabolic agent, an immune stimulating agent and, through a unique
mechanism, a fat-burning agent.
The FDA has researched the metabolic effects of CLA. In a personal
communication with The Life Extension Foundation, an FDA oil chemist
said he would be worried about the amount of fat loss noted with CLA
use, because it could be interpreted as a toxic effect, except that the
other effects such as its antioxidant, anticarcinogen, and
anticatabolic effects far outweigh his concerns .
CLA is required to maintain optimal function of the phospholipid
membranes of cells. Healthy cell membranes will allow fat, protein and
carbohydrate to flow into active cells such as muscle, connective
tissue and organ cells, instead of being stored as passive fat cells.
CLA inhibits fat storage by enhancing the ability of cell membranes
(other than fat cells) to open up and allow the absorption of fats and
other nutrients. CLA specifically promotes the growth of muscles by
letting nutrients into active muscle cells. This is why CLA has become
such a popular supplement among body builders.
The fat reducing mechanism of CLA involves rejuvenating cell membranes
in the muscles and connective tissues to allow fats to freely enter to
produce energy and growth. This anabolic effect may provide antiaging
benefits in the elderly, but there have been no studies to date to
investigate this.
A recent study in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry (Jan. 1997)
provides further evidence that CLA may play a role in cancer prevention
and treatment. Dr. M. Sugano, an authority on fatty acids, hypothesizes
how CLA can be effective in stopping different types of cancers.
Previous studies have suggested that CLA may suppress cancer
initiation, promotion and/or progression. CLA may be effective both in
preventing and treating certain forms of cancer.
According to Dr. Sugano, CLA has been shown to be highly effective in
lowering cholesterol and preventing atherosclerosis in rabbits. Dr.
Sugano states that CLA has a tendency to reduce PGE2 levels. PGE2 is
the inflammatory prostaglandin that is involved in a wide range of
autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and possibly
atherosclerosis.
The Foundation recently added CLA to the Breast Cancer Treatment
Protocol. Cancer patients are advised to be taking soy in conjunction
with CLA because CLA can enhance tyrosine kinase activity in cancer
cells. The genistein fraction of soy specifically inhibits tyrosine
kinase activity.
CLA has anti-oxidant effects. CLA fed rats, exhibit far less
lipoperoxidation after CLA feeding. Although it is not known how CLA
exerts its antioxidant effect, it is known that it works differently
than vitamins E and C.
How much should
be taken?
CLA is typically found in capsules or softgels between potencies
between 600mg and 1000mg. All preliminary evidence shows that CLA is
nontoxic and safe at recommended dosages.
The perfect way to save money and use CLA economically. Each tin contains 2000, 1 gram softgels (standardized for 70% CLA).
We have a limited run of these available in order to gauge demand. If sufficient, we will make these a permanent fixture at Bulk Nutrition.