Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

CLA is a composition of positional and geometric isomers of Linoleic Acid. Its main sources are red meat and dairy fats. People used to have a natural intake of CLA through their diet, but since cattle are not pasture grazed any more, the animal’s internal production of this nutritional acid has decreased. Alongside that, concerns about cholesterol, total fat and saturated/unsaturated fat being linked to obesity and to colon cancer, are discouraging people to eat red meats and fatty dairy products.

A method has been found to extract CLA as a pure oil product from a vegetable source (Safflower Oil) and further research has proven that this oil has more than just nutritional properties.

CLA Technical Data

Shelf Life: The shelf life of CLA is two years in the original package, once opened the oil should be blanketed under inert gas.

Dosage: The recommended daily allowance is 5ml.

CLA supports Fitness Training and Dieting:

In Fitness Training and Dieting the main aim is to increase lean skeletal muscle and decrease body fat levels that lead to obesity and illness. CLA supports this theory by increasing lean muscle mass. More muscle means a higher consumption of fat, which leads to a slimmer figure.

The acid also interferes with lipoprotein (fat storage) and helps the body use existing fat for energy. This leads to a reduction of body fat as per BMI (Body Mass Index), to the loss of inches and to a lower level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the human body.

CLA as a natural help for Diabetes:

Diabetes is a condition in which the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use is properly. There are two types of Diabetes:

Type I: The body is unable to produce its own insulin and the patient has to be treated by insulin injections.

Type II: The amount of insulin required cannot be produced or the insulin that is produced doesn’t work properly.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid has the ability to help treat Type II diabetes, through normalising the defective glucose tolerance and sharing many of the attributes of the drugs, but without the side effects.

CLA prevents and treats Artherosclerosis:

Over time the consumption of cholesterol and other food substances form plaque in arteries, reducing the blood supply to the heart, which can cause heart disease and eventually death.

In a study animals were given a high cholesterol diet along with CLA. After 12 weeks the total cholesterol and triglyceride counts in the animal’s blood were significantly lower than those without the added CLA.

CLA in the battle against Cancer:

CLA is the only fatty acid accepted by the National Academy of Sciences of USA to demonstrate anti-tumor properties. Animal models have shown that this acid can suppress cancer development, progress, the number of metastases and the strength of tumors. In vitro Conjugated Linoleic Acid is cytotoxic to melignant melanoma, breast, lung and colorectal cancer.

CLA supports the Immune System:

Animals fed CLA showed a partial protection against the catabolic effects of endotoxin (bacteria) and also indicated a much stronger immune system without causing the harmful "cellular backlash" that can take place when the immune system is stimulated. Conjugated Linoleic Acid is also an anti-oxidant, it reduces food-induced allergies and can improve asthmatic conditions.