CLA Report
Conjugated Linoleic Acid
CLA - Conjugated Linoleic Acid - is not a new discovery as some
magazines would have you believe. However, a better understanding
of its effects are leading to potential applications that are extremely
new and exciting. AST Research was the first company to report on
CLA’s possible benefits to the athlete over two years ago, and recent
studies are backing up our predictions.
CLA was discovered by accident in 1978 by Michael W. Pariza at
the University of Wisconsin while looking for mutagen formations
in meat during cooking. CLA, found naturally in many animal products,
consists of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid. The
difference between the two centers around CLA’s conjugated double
bonds at carbon atoms 10 and 12 or 9 and 11. The 9 cis, 11 trans
isomer is considered the most biologically active form of CLA.
Although all the intricacies of CLA are not fully understood, it
is widely accepted in the research community that CLA counterbalances
the negative effects of linoleic acid and regulates fat and protein
metabolism in animals. Pariza, director of the Food Research Institute
at the University of Wisconsin said, "A growing body of data
indicates that CLA is a newly recognized nutrient that functions
to regulate energy retention and metabolism." CLA can best be
described as a "Growth Factor".
Food intake efficiency! CLA has been shown in animal studies to
increase growth rate through increased feed efficiency. In controlled
studies, animals that had their diets supplemented with CLA increased
their body protein (muscle tissue) while at the same time, had a
significant decrease in body fat. This all occurred in the CLA
supplemented animals while their food intake was decreased. Their
lean mass increased even though they were eating less! This indicates
that CLA increases feed efficiency and also points to a potent nutrient
repartitioning effect.
This significant change in body composition can also be attributed
in part to CLA’s effect on immune function. When CLA levels fall,
interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-a are involved in the accumulation
of body fat. CLA has been shown to inhibit the lean tissue wasting
caused by high levels of these cytokines.
Actual human studies are on the way with anticipation of simular
outcomes. CLA may be the most significant bodybuilding nutrient
discovered in this decade. With anti-catabolic effects rivaling
even the strongest pharmaceutical compounds, CLA is a naturally
occurring nutrient with the ability to help you pack on lean muscle,
reduce body fat and at the same time possesses health promoting
properties.
CLA occurs naturally in foods such as milk, cheese, beef, and lamb
as well as many processed foods. One processed food in particular
that’s high in CLA is Cheez Wiz®. But getting enough CLA from
your diet for the preferred benefit would require considerable intake
of these types of foods. This is not only impractical, but would
also have a seriously negative impact on your metabolism due to
the high caloric penalty you would pay.
Since this research has surfaced, a more economical and efficient
way to get the required CLA has been devised. Through advanced lipid
technology, a CLA synthesizing process allows for precision intake
through premeasured softgel capsules. This allows for precise CLA
intake at determined time intervals without the high calorie food
consumption. Not only has CLA been shown to increase muscle mass
while reducing body fat, studies have also shown remarkable anti-catabolic,
antioxidant, immune enhancement, and anti-cancer benefits. Several
other studies have even revealed dramatic cholesterol reducing effects.
All this from a structured lipid. A "designer fat" if you would.
To the athlete looking to add more muscle and drop body fat, CLA
is a unique discovery that will make accomplishing this feat easier
and faster, all the while having positive effects on immune function
and antioxidant status, as well as cholesterol lowering effects.
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