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Weight Management - Conjugated Linolenic Acid for Weight Control Have you heard about conjugated linolenic acid, or CLA? It is a naturally occurring omega-6 fatty acid. It was discovered 30 years ago in beef and dairy products. Researchers have discovered that CLA is an important part of weight management. There are three theories about how CLA could help to keep you slim: by targeting and burning fat; by counteracting the effects of hormones that cause you to gain weight; and/or by helping to promote muscle growth. There are two reasons, however, why you might not be getting enough CLA in your diet to help with weight control. The first reason is that many health experts discourage the consumption of red meat and dairy because of their ability to aggravate other health concerns. The other reason is that changes in the feeding methods of cattle have virtually eliminated CLA, causing cows to manufacture approximately five times less now than when they were allowed to graze on grass. By eating beef or drinking milk provided from grass-fed cows, you will get four to fives times more CLA than you would from cattle raised in a feed lot. Unfortunately, the beef that is generally available for purchase is from feed-lot cattle, which means you are likely not getting enough CLA. In one study, published in the “Journal of Nutrition,” 21 people with adult-onset diabetes took either a CLA supplement or a safflower oil supplement on a daily basis. At the end of the study, in nine of the 11 people taking the CLA supplement, fasting blood glucose levels had decreased. This same result was produced in only two of the 10 participants taking the safflower supplements. It is important to note that the amount and the type of CLA taken, as well as the length of the treatment, all had an impact on the fatty acid’s ability to manage diabetes through weight control.
Researchers also found that higher blood levels of this fatty acid inhibited the production of leptin, a hormone believed to regulate fat levels. It is a common belief in the scientific community that high leptin levels play a role in obesity, which is one of the biggest risk factors for Type II diabetes mellitus. There are various ways to increase your CLA intake through your diet. One particularly rich source is aged or sharp cheddar cheese. Consider buying organic foods, which tend to include meats and cheeses that are made from grass-feeding cows. Fortunately, scientists have figured out a way to make safflower oil into a CLA supplement. You can get these CLA supplements at your local health store. Article Source: http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/food-and-nutritionarticles/cla-for-weight-control Doctors Health Press is a leading source of health tips and health news. Our health newsletter provides natural health advice and herbal remedies for different diseases and conditions.