Friendly fat: CLA may help you lose weight.(conjugated linoleic acid)

While we've all been told time and again about the evils of fats, the important thing to realize about fat is that it occurs in several forms, and only some of them such as trans fats--are unhealthful. Certain fats, including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), can enhance well-being by promoting weight loss and affecting some other facets of human health.

CLA was first identified in the 1980s, when it was isolated from cooked ground beef, one of the most common dietary sources of the nutrient.

"CLA is a polyunsaturated, conjugated fatty acid that is a natural part of the human diet found primarily in beef and dairy, products," says Heather Nelson Cortes, a research scientist at Cognis Nutrition & Health in LaGrange, Illinois, makers of Tonalin CLA. "The CLA content of natural dairy products has fallen over time, and the human body now needs to supplement its consumption of CLA from other sources."

The average daily intake of CLA is believed to have declined in the United States to about 200 milligrams (mg) per day, which may be contributing to the steady rise of obesity in the country, according to a May 2003 publication from the VERIS Research Information Service. Supplemental CIA may help overweight and obese Americans drop unhealthful pounds for a fitter physique, as well as reduce their risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Supplemental Support

Supplemental CLA has been widely studied for its effects on weight management. To attain the greatest results, clinical studies are conducted with CIA's biologically active isomers: cis-9, trans-11 (c9, t11) and trans-10, cis-12 (t10,c12).

"It's important to maximize the two main isomers--c9,t11 and t10,c12--and minimize any other isomers present," says Marianne O'Shea, PhD, manager of nutrition and technical services at Lipid Nutrition in Channahon, Illinois, makers of Clarinol CLA.