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Learn > Nutrition > Supplements

profile avatar Charlie Seltzer, MD Contributor

CLA Supplement Research Review: Benefits & Risks

By Charlie Seltzer, MD - Updated 5/12/2022
Updated 5/12/2022

CLA-Supplement-review-3

CLA stands for conjugated linoleic acid. It is a naturally occurring trans-fatty acid made from the omega-6 class of essential fatty acids.

Since it is not man-made, you should view it differently from classic “trans-fats,” which are almost certainly bad for your health. On the other hand, CLA may actually be health-promoting, though as I will discuss below, the research is far from conclusive.

CLA is comprised of at least 28 isomers (different structural forms of the same molecule), and certain specific isomers may have different effects on the human body. However, since essentially all of the available CLA supplements contain a mixture of isomers, we will look at CLA as a whole instead of specific isomers.

What Is CLA Supposed To Do?

Supplement companies claim CLA can fight cancer, decrease body fat, increase lean muscle tissue, lessen symptoms of asthma, fight high blood pressure and heart disease, enhance bone density, improve insulin sensitivity, and boost immunity. Based on this marketing, it is easy to see how you may view CLA as a miracle supplement. However, it is smart to look incredulously at these claims and the research is a lot less exciting than the theoretical benefits.

Does Scientific Research Back Up These CLA Supplement Claims?

The short answer is for some, it does. But there is a significant amount of published research that casts serious doubts on its beneficial effects. In fact, some studies even show a harmful effect. I can’t recall ever writing about a supplement with such mixed conclusions.

Claim & Research Results

Body Fat Reduction: I found several studies, which showed significant reductions in fat mass with CLA supplementation. One study looked at over 125 people for 2 years and found that 3.4 grams/day of CLA “reduces [body fat] in overweight humans and may help maintain initial reductions in [body fat] and weight in the long term.” 1

Another study published in the journal Lipids concluded the 4.2 grams/day of CLA “may reduce the proportion of body fat in humans” without affecting body weight.2 You can interpret that conclusion to mean that lean mass must have increased, if body composition improved without weight loss. Another study showed similar results (decreased fat without a change it weight) with a much smaller dose of only 1.8 mg/day.3

While these specific studies show a beneficial effect, the majority of human studies show no effect. In 2004, the Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a review of all of the previous human studies on CLA. The authors noted that only 2 studies showed a significant, though relatively small, reduction in body fat. They concluded that the effect of CLA in humans is much less than what would be expected from mouse studies.4

To make things even less clear, another, more recent analysis of 18 studies, published by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition, demonstrated that 3.2 grams/day of CLA “produces a modest loss in body fat in humans.” 5 Most people who want to lose fat will gladly take a “modest loss” just from taking a supplement.

Effects On Insulin: In rodent studies, CLA appears to have anti-diabetic properties. However, we are not mice, and a number of studies show CLA may promote insulin resistance6 and worsen pre-existing diabetes in humans.7 One study, however, done on young, sedentary humans, found a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity.8

Effects On Inflammation: CLA is often touted as an antioxidant. However, several studies have shown the opposite effect. One showed that, in addition to reducing insulin sensitivity, CLA increased lipid peroxidation and multiple inflammatory markers in overweight men.9

Another study published in the very well-respected journal Circulation, demonstrated isomer-dependent elevations of C – reactive protein and oxidative stress.10 Since isolated isomers of CLA are not widely available, you should consider any negative effects of any isomer when you make a decision to supplement.

Anti-Cancer Effects: According to the American College of Nutrition, despite evidence CLA has anti-tumor activity in animals, there is not enough evidence to recommend CLA as treatment for cancer or other diseases. In the authors’ words, “Further research with tumor models is needed to test the efficacy and utility of CLA in cancer and other disease prevention and form the basis of evaluating its effect in humans by observational studies and clinical trials.” 11

Effects On Appetite: I found one study that showed CLA to decrease feelings of hunger and increase feelings of fullness.12 However, this did not translate into reduced energy intake or weight change.

Conclusions and Recommendation

If you’re thinking that you’re confused, you’re not alone. Depending on how you interpret the research, CLA can either make you lean and strong or give you diabetes and kill you. Hopefully I have shown there is no clear answer. If you do decide to try CLA, I recommend a product made from Tonalin, which is high-quality and reputable source of CLA.

Based on the research, a dose of somewhere around 3-4 grams per day is reasonable. In conclusion, I think there are a number of other fat loss supplements with better risk/benefit ratios, but if you do decide to try it, I would discuss it with a knowledgeable health care professional, and watch your blood sugar, fasting insulin level, and CRP very closely.

Show 12 References

  1. Gaullier J, Halse J, Kjetil H, Kristiansen K, Fagertun H, Vik H, Gudmundsen O. Supplementation with Conjugated Linoleic Acid for 24 Months Is Well Tolerated By and Reduces Body Fat Mass in Healthy, Overweight Humans. J. Nutr. APR 2005. V 135 (4); 778-84. ↩
  2. Smedman A, Vessby B. Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in humans – metabolic effects. Aug 2001. V 36 (8); 773-81. ↩
  3. Thom E, Wadstein J, Gudmundsen O. Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduces Body Fat in Healthy Exercising Humans. Journal of International Medical Research October 2001 vol. 29 no. 5392-396. ↩
  4. Terpstra, A. Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on body composition and plasma lipids in humans: an overview of literature. Am J Clin Nutr Mar 2004 V 79 (3) 352-61. ↩
  5. Whigham L, Watras A, Schoeller D. Efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid for reducing fat mass: a meta-analysis in humans. Am J Clin Nutr May 2007 vol. 85 no. 5 1203-1211 ↩
  6. Riserus U, Arner P, Brismar K, Vessby B. Treatment with Dietary trans10cis12 conjugated linoleic acid causes isomeric specific insulin resistance in obese men with the metabolic syndrome. Diabetes Care Sep 2002. vol. 25; (9)1516-21. ↩
  7. Moloney F, Yeow T, Mullen A, Nolan J, Roche H. Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation, insulin sensitivity, and lipoprotein metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Am J Clin Nutr Oct 2004 V 80 (4) 887-95. ↩
  8. Eyjolfson V, Spriett LL, Dyck DJ. Conjugated linoleic acid improves insulin sensitivity in young, sedentary humans. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2004, 36(5):814-820. ↩
  9. Riserus U, Vessby B, Arniov J, Basu S. Effects of cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on insulin sensitivity, lipid peroxidation, and proinflammatory markers in obese men. Am J Clin Nutr. Aug 2004. V 80(2) 279-83. ↩
  10. Riserus U. Basu S, Jovinge S, Fredrikson G, Arniov J, Vessby B. Supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid causes isomer dependent oxidative stress and elevated c-reactive protein. Circulation 2002; 10; 1925-26. ↩
  11. MacDonald, H. Conjugated linoleic acid and disease prevention: a review of current knowledge. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000. V 19 (2). ↩
  12. Nicolosi RJ, Rogers EJ, Kritchevsky D, Scimeca JA, Huth PJ. Dietary conjugated linoleic acid reduces plasma lipoproteins and early aortic atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Artery. 1997, 22(5): 266-77. ↩
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6 Comments

  1. profile avatar
    Tim May 17, 2014 - 08:40 #

    What are the other weight loss supplements that you would recommend?

    1. profile avatar
      Marc Perry, CSCS, CPT May 17, 2014 - 10:27 #

      Hey Tim, you can check out the other supplement articles we have here => Supplement Articles. To my knowledge there are no “weight loss” supplements that actually work well, but there may be some supplements that can aid in weight loss.

  2. profile avatar
    Luke May 17, 2014 - 13:05 #

    I have been using CLA as a fat blocker, I guess it has been working, but I know that the only real way of getting ride of that annoying last amount of fat around your belly can be tough to get rid of. I have been doing sprints and jump rope to try and reduce it, and it seems to be working, anything else you would recommend for that annoying last bit?
    Thanks in advance for your help!!

    1. profile avatar
      Marc Perry, CSCS, CPT May 17, 2014 - 18:05 #

      Hey Luke, I think more precision with nutrition is typically the best way to get rid of the last little body fat and further reducing calories. Of course, it’s a more extreme pursuit. I have a nutrition tactic I use you can check out in this post – Step #1 – How To Get Ripped.

  3. profile avatar
    Tiffany Aug 10, 2016 - 17:55 #

    I can only speak for my self but CLA absolutely works! After I had my two boys this was certainly my go to. Personally it was an appetite suppressant and a fat blocker. It blocked so much that even when I would eat something as greasy as French Fries they would literally come back out 30 mins later ( I know, TMI) lol. Take my advice and try CLA before anything else.
    Previous weight: 188
    Current weight: 143
    Height: 5″7
    Age: 35

    1. profile avatar
      Jackie Oct 17, 2016 - 06:58 #

      I just started taking CLA. How much water do you drink Tiffany? How long before you saw a difference?

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