Anyone take CLA?

[colleenieweenie]

I've been reading a lot about this lately and thought I would try it - I don't expect any miracles - but was wondering if anyone has taken it and what was your experience?

Thanks in advance!

[Outback Jess]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

I've taken it in the past, but not in recent years...I cannot say as I noticed it helping me.

[sadie147]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

I took it for a few months to give it a chance, I too noticed no benefit either, though I have heard your supposed to also take borage oil with it in some ratio -which i don't konw off hand. Taking cla on it's own did nothing for me however.

[Sera]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

i do take it but cannot tell if it makes any difference since i took it from day one of my diet.
since its just 1 more "pill" next to my normal supplements and a lot of ppl swear on it tho, i just take it.

[Peaches4u]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

What is CLA?

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

I have been taking it for most of the two years I have been on Atkins. What I noticed was the belly fat I lost while taking it. The times I stopped, I could tell the difference. I quit taking it for quite a while a few months ago. I have been having a problem with my weight bouncing around--mostly up--due to medications including steroids. I started back on the CLA the same day I bought new jeans. The new jeans were a little tight, but I wanted to have a pair that would last a while. About three weeks later, I was singing (in a spotlight, in front of an audience ) and tapping my foot to keep time to the music and I had to stop and pull the jeans up because they were falling off! I had not lost a pound. I take 3 grams per day--one with each meal. It's one supplement I think is worth the money I pay for it. YMMV

Sunny!

[Evermind]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

Conjugated Linoleic Acid: by Mary J. Shomon

January 2001 -- Major news for people with thyroid problems who are facing weight loss challenges is the news that the natural dietary supplement conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat in people who are overweight.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, published in the December 2000 issue of the Journal of Nutrition

Dr. Michael Pariza, who conducted research on CLA with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reported in August 2000 to the American Chemical Society that "It doesn't make a big fat cell get little. What it rather does is keep a little fat cell from getting big." Pariza's research did not find weight loss in his group of 71 overweight people, but what he did find was that when the dieters stopped dieting, and gained back weight, those taking CLA "were more likely to gain muscle and not fat.'' In a separate study conducted at Purdue University in Indiana, CLA was found to improve insulin levels in about two-thirds of diabetic patients, and moderately reduced the blood glucose level and triglyceride levels.

CLA has been the subject of a variety of research in the past several years, and findings also suggest that some of the other benefits of CLA include the following: found that CLA reduces fat and preserves muscle tissue. According to the research project manager, an average reduction of six pounds of body fat was found in the group that took CLA, compared to a placebo group. The study found that approximately 3.4 grams of CLA per day is the level needed to obtain the beneficial effects of CLA on body fat .

• Increases metabolic rate -- This would obviously be a positive benefit for thyroid patients, as hypothyroidism -- even when treated -- can reduce the metabolic rate in some people.
• Decreases abdominal fat -- Adrenal imbalances and hormonal shifts that are common in thyroid patients frequently cause rapid accumulation of abdominal fat, so this benefit could be quite helpful.
• Enhances muscle growth -- Muscle burns fat, which also contributes to increased metabolism, which is useful in weight loss and management.
• Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides -- Since many thyroid patients have elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, even with treatment, this benefit can have an impact on a thyroid patient's health.
• Lowers insulin resistance -- Insulin resistance is a risk for some hypothyroid patients, and lowering it can also help prevent adult-onset diabetes and make it easier to control weight.
• Reduces food-induced allergic reactions -- Since food allergies can be at play when weight loss becomes difficult, this can be of help to thyroid patients.
• Enhances immune system -- Since most cases of thyroid disease are autoimmune in nature, enhancing the immune system's ability to function properly is a positive benefit.

If you're interested in taking CLA to help with weight loss, keep in mind that it's not a magic pill, and you will need to start a program of diet and exercise in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off.

If You Are Interested in Taking CLA

CLA is a supplement, and does not require a prescription. It is available at health food stores, and at online outlets like Drugstore.com. Experts recommend that you use a patented name brand, as some brands have inconsistent or insufficient amounts of CLA contained in them. The brand used in testing was "Tonalin" brand CLA, which comes in 1000 mg capsules. To obtain the level determined to be effective in the testing -- 3.4 g, or 3400 mg, per day -- you would need to take 4 of these capsules a day, with meals.

Please note also, that you should not think that CLA alone will help you lose weight. You still need to be, as I am, on a balanced, reduced-calorie, low-glycemic diet, and have to incorporate regular, vigorous exercise, and weight bearing activities, into your life.

(From http://thyroid.about.com/cs/dietweightloss/a/cla.htm)

I never heard of it, either. Wonder if it's worth a try? And how expensive is it?

[colleenieweenie]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

It can be pricey - I paid $30.00 and it might last a month. The capsules are anywhere from 600-1000mg, you have to take a bunch to get to 3.4-3.5g's.

I stopped taking it after I jumped 2 lbs after starting it... I don't know if I'll try it again.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

Wal-Mart has 60 1000mg (1 gram) softgels for $12.88. That's where I usually buy mine, but I recently bought several bottles online at Pilgrim's Pride for $7.07 per bottle of 90 softgels, 1000mg. As long as they say Tonalin on them, they will be fine.

Sunny!

[colleenieweenie]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

Thanks Sunny! I'll go to Wallyworld and check it out Am I a nut for thinking the CLA caused me to jump 2 lbs? Should I try it again?

[terrioso]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

Hi,
I have been taking the CLA along with GLA (or Borage oil as it is usually called) and noticed a loss of about 6 total inches lost when measuring waist, hips, upper thigh. The info I have found in several places say you need to take the CLA with GLA to be beneficial. I use the Tonalin CLA from Walmart (but also have purchased several bottles from Puritans Pride, much cheaper) and the Borage oil from Walmart. I take 5 CLA and 2 GLA each day. Some people get nauseous and were told if they take it with protein it helps with the upset tummy. I take 3 CLA and 1 GLA after breakfast and 2 CLA and 1 GLA after lunch and to not have any tummy problems. Hope this helps.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

Thanks Sunny! I'll go to Wallyworld and check it out Am I a nut for thinking the CLA caused me to jump 2 lbs? Should I try it again?

I can't think of anything in it to make you gain, unless you gained muscle, which weighes heavier than fat. I know I lose inches right away. My body is much firmer when I take it. I do sometimes take GLA in the form of borage oil or evening primrose oil, but not often. I'll take it for about a month and stop for a few months.

Sunny!

[colleenieweenie]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

Thanks Terrioso & Sunny - I'll go buy some Borage oil and start taking the combo deal tomorrow!

[balanchine1]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

I have been taking CLA (3) capsules a day...two in the morning with breakfast and one with dinner with (1) fish oil capsule...in the morning with breakfast and it has really kickstarted my Atkins. I have been doing Atkins for years, but the addition of this combonation has really been working great for me!!! I highly suggest it...But as always talk to your Dr. or dietician first to make sure its ok for you individually...I used a fat burner the last time I was going through induction and I thought I was going to climb the walls so this was a welcome change no mood issues just a dramatic loss in Belly fat within the first ten days

[EmDee]

Re: Anyone take CLA?

I am always suspicious of a first post which is touting a product.

No offense, balanchine, I'm just saying.