Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of eight fatty acid isomers that naturally occur (in low levels) in dairy and meat products. Over the last decade CLA has become a popular weight-management supplement. However, research has found that CLA may also be helpful in maintaining bone health and may be useful in the management of diabetes. A new study from Ohio State University researchers has found that CLA may help obese women with type-2 diabetes lose weight, a significant benefit.1 There is strong evidence that weight loss may improve glucose control in diabetics.
In the last decade, obesity and diabetes rates have skyrocketed in the US. It is estimated that there are over 800,000 new cases of type-2 diabetes each year in the US, and many expect that rate to increase.
According to the researchers "the effects of [dietary] fat quality, as opposed to quantity, on weight loss are not well understood." This study was designed to help clarify that difference. In the 36-week randomized, double-masked, crossover study, 55 obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes received 8g of either conjugated linoleic acid or safflower oil per day. The crossover design randomly assigned half the women to receive one of the two treatments for 16 weeks followed by a 4 week wash out period followed by the other treatment. The researchers found that supplementation with CLA reduced body mass index (BMI) by about 3.2 percent, and total adipose (fat) mass was decreased by about 3 pounds without changing lean mass. Loss of lean (muscle) mass is a problem as women age, particularly when dieting. The researchers noted that lowering of the BMI occurred in the last 8 weeks of the diet, and that it is likely that the women would have continued losing weight had they stayed on the CLA.
The small size and short duration of this study are limiting factors. However, the researchers noted that "no differences were observed in dietary energy intake, total fat intake, and fat quality in either diet period for either intervention," indicating that the women simply added the CLA supplements to their diets without changing their eating habits--something that is easy for most people to do.
Learn more about CLA here.
1. Norris, L. E., A. L. Collene, et al. (2009). "Comparison of dietary conjugated linoleic acid with safflower oil on body composition in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus." Am J Clin Nutr.
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