CLA study finds reduction in body mass in overweight.

August 27, 2004

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CLA study finds reduction in body mass

The first study to document the long-term safety and

efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) found that

the supplement reduces body fat mass in overweight,

but otherwise healthy adults by as much as nine

percent. The randomized, double-blind,

placebo-controlled study was conducted over a 12-month

period without additional lifestyle or dietary

restrictions.

“The results of this first long-term study indicate

that CLA, taken for one year as a dietary supplement,

safely improves the ratio of body fat to lean tissue

in overweight, but otherwise healthy adults,” said Dr.

Jean-Michel Gaullier of Scandinavian Clinical Research

in Kjeller, Norway. Study participants who took 3.4 g

of CLA per day experienced a significant reduction in

their body fat mass compared to those in the placebo

group. The results confirm a trend observed in

previous short-term CLA studies.

In the study, 180 healthy men and women volunteers,

ages 18-65, with a body mass index indicating that

they were overweight, were randomized to receive

softgel capsules containing either 3.4 g CLA-free

fatty acid (CLA-FFA), 3.4 g CLA-triacylglycerol or

equivalent amounts of olive oil, a placebo. Patients

were studied for 12 months.

Weight, BMI, vital signs, and adverse events were

recorded every three months. Body composition and

blood samples were analyzed at regular intervals

throughout the study, and participants were monitored

continuously for any signs of adverse events. The

study concluded “long-term supplementation with

CLA-FFA or CLA-triacylglycerol reduces BFM (body fat

mass) in healthy overweight adults.”

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

79(6):1118-1125, 2004

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