What is Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)?
This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid found predominantly in meat and dairy products. It consists of a group of isomers of linoleic acid, which have conjugated double bonds. CLA has garnered significant interest due to its potential health benefits, including effects on body composition, metabolic health, and disease prevention. Other names include: Acide Linoléique Conjugué, Acide Linoléique Conjugué Cis-9,trans-11, Acide Linoléique Conjugué trans-10,cis-12, Acido Linoleico Conjugado, ALC, Cis-9,trans-11 Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Cis-Linoleic Acid, CLA, CLA-Free Fatty Acid, CLA-Triacylglycerol, LA, Linoleic Acid, Trans-10,cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid.
Sources of CLA
CLA is naturally present in the meat and milk of ruminants such as cows, sheep, and goats. The content of CLA in these products can be influenced by the animals’ diet. For instance, cows fed diets rich in linoleic and linolenic acids, such as those containing soybean or linseed oil, produce milk with higher CLA content1.
Health Benefits of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Body Composition
CLA has been shown to reduce body fat mass in both animal and human studies. In a study involving overweight and obese humans, CLA supplementation led to a significant reduction in body fat mass without affecting lean body mass7. Another study demonstrated that CLA reduced abdominal adipose tissue in obese middle-aged men with metabolic syndrome3.
Metabolic Health
CLA has been associated with improvements in metabolic health markers. For example, in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the t10c12-CLA isomer was inversely associated with body weight and serum leptin levels, suggesting a potential role in weight management and metabolic regulation2. Additionally, CLA supplementation in dairy cows prepartum increased milk energy output and decreased serum fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate, indicating improved metabolic efficiency9.
Endurance and Physical Performance
CLA has also been shown to enhance endurance capacity. In a study with mice, CLA supplementation improved endurance capacity via a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ)-mediated mechanism, which is involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis5.
Cardiovascular Health
CLA has potential benefits for cardiovascular health. It has been shown to induce the resolution of early atherosclerosis in experimental models by negatively regulating pro-inflammatory genes and inducing apoptosis in atherosclerotic lesions6.
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Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Mechanisms of Action
The beneficial effects of CLA are thought to be mediated through various mechanisms, including modulation of lipid metabolism, gene expression, and enzyme activity. For instance, CLA has been shown to decrease stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) enzyme activity, which is involved in fatty acid metabolism, in porcine subcutaneous adipose tissue4. Additionally, CLA can alter lipid profiles in serum and adipose tissues, influencing fat deposition and metabolic health10.
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Adverse Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Metabolism
CLA supplementation has been shown to significantly increase fasting glucose concentrations and reduce insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes2.
No significant differences in insulin resistance indexes were observed in a study on obese individuals, but an increase in leukocytes was noted3.
Lipid Profile and Cholesterol
CLA supplementation can lead to a decrease in HDL-cholesterol and an increase in LDL-cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) levels4 6.
In pigs, CLA reduced plasma total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol while increasing plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration8.
Inflammatory Markers
CLA supplementation increased markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, although these values remained within normal limits4.
Liver Health
CLA has been associated with hepatic fat deposition and insulin resistance in mice, although combining CLA with pine nut oil prevented these adverse effects9.
Body Composition
Long-term CLA supplementation did not prevent weight or body fat regain in obese individuals3.
CLA supplementation increased lean body mass but also led to significant decreases in serum HDL-cholesterol and increases in inflammatory markers4.
Gastrointestinal Effects
Mild gastrointestinal adverse events were reported in all treatment groups in a study on obese humans4.
General Safety
A one-year study concluded that CLA supplementation was generally safe for obese humans, with no significant adverse effects on liver function, glucose, insulin, serum lipids, or blood counts5.
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How has Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Improved Patient Outcomes?
Body Composition and Fat Reduction
CLA supplementation has been shown to reduce total body fat, visceral adipose tissue, and abdominal fat in obese and overweight individuals, while also increasing lean body mass6 10.
CLA has been associated with decreased body weight gain and visceral adipose tissue weight in animal models, suggesting potential benefits for managing obesity and metabolic syndrome5.
Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Metabolism
Some studies indicate that CLA supplementation can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in animal models, particularly in skeletal muscle7.
However, other studies in humans have reported that certain CLA isomers can increase insulin resistance and fasting glucose levels, highlighting the complexity and variability of CLA’s effects on insulin metabolism1 3.
Lipid Metabolism
CLA has been found to improve lipid profiles by increasing HDL cholesterol and reducing the LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes1.
In animal models, CLA supplementation has been shown to reduce serum triacylglycerols and ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver, heart, muscle, and aorta5.
Inflammation and Atherosclerosis
CLA supplementation has been associated with reduced inflammatory markers and matrix metalloproteinase enzymes in rectal cancer patients, suggesting potential anti-inflammatory benefits4.
CLA has also been shown to induce the resolution of early atherosclerosis by reducing macrophage accumulation and pro-inflammatory gene expression in animal models8.
Quality of Life in Cancer Patients
In rectal cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy, CLA supplementation improved quality of life, including physical, role, and cognitive functions, and reduced symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and diarrhea2.
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Common Complaints Associated with Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Use
Adverse Effects on Insulin and Glucose Metabolism
CLA supplementation has been shown to significantly increase fasting glucose concentrations and reduce insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus2.
The t10c12-CLA isomer, in particular, has been inversely associated with body weight and serum leptin levels, suggesting it may influence body weight changes, but its impact on glucose metabolism needs further investigation3.
Mixed Effects on Lipid Metabolism
While CLA supplementation can increase HDL-cholesterol concentrations and reduce the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol, it does not significantly affect inflammatory markers of cardiovascular disease2.
CLA has been found to reduce serum triacylglycerols and ectopic lipid accumulation in various tissues, which may be beneficial for metabolic health1.
Potential Benefits and Risks
CLA may protect against dyslipidemia and ectopic lipid deposition, and improve insulin sensitivity in certain tissues, but these benefits are accompanied by adverse effects on overall glucose metabolism1 2.
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Disclaimer
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