Among all the weight loss pills in the market, the newest trend is towards vitamins and supplements providing mega doses of naturally occurring substances, such as Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). CLA is a natural fatty acid produced in humans and other mammals in the intestines. It is also ingested through various food sources, such as safflower oil. Some studies provide compelling evidence that CLA may be a healthy weight loss supplement and better than weight loss pills, but others point to the opposite results.
Effectiveness of CLA Weight Loss Pills Debated
Studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, as reported by Wed MD, demonstrate conflicting evidence of CLA's effectiveness as a weight loss supplement. Consider the following reported studies:
- Lipid Nutrition, a company making CLA supplements, funded a study in which 118 overweight or obese people (defined by their BMI or body mass index rating) took CLA supplements for six months. Researchers report that the study group lost 1.5 pounds more body fat than the control group.
- Another study published by the American Chemical Society looked at how CLA stops small fat cells from becoming bigger. While the initial results looked promising, studies with people were disappointing. Those taking CLA weight loss pills didn't lose more weight than a group following a low fat diet and exercising. The researchers concluded that the old standbys of healthy diet, low fat foods and exercise were a better approach to weight loss than taking weight loss pills such as CLA. Reducing dietary fat intake alone may yield better results than popping weight loss supplements.
Many more studies show similar conflicting results. While some participants report weight loss, especially in the abdominal area and the face, others show no effect. Studying the anecdotal reports, it appears as if people with a high BMI to start with have better success than those who are simply borderline overweight.
While CLA shows promise, it isn't the magic weight loss pill most dieters hope for, and probably won't yield spectacular results.
Taking CLA and CLA Side Effects
Since CLA side effects are almost unheard of, it is generally considered a safe supplement. CLA supplements may be purchased at health food stores nationwide or online. They are fine for vegetarian weight loss and vegan weight loss efforts, since CLA derives from plant-based sources. Vegetarians and vegans should check the capsule ingredients list carefully, however, since gelatin-based capsules contain gelatin, a slaughterhouse byproduct made from animal hooves.
A natural, safe and easy way to obtain more CLA in the diet is to simply switch from vegetable oil blends to safflower oil. Using safflower oil along with other healthy plant oils, like olive oil, and drizzling them over salads helps dieters obtain monosaturated fats. These fats contain essential fatty acids used to build and repair cells and facilitate various metabolic processes. Switching back and forth between olive oil and safflower oil provides a nice blend of essential fatty acids.
Whether you choose CLA weight loss supplements or safflower oil, keep in mind that no magic pill will wipe away years of overeating. Just as weight is not gained overnight, it isn't lost overnight either. While most people would love to be the hare, the tortoise's motto from the old fable, "Slow and steady wins the race", is really the only approach to weight loss success.
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