Dietary CLA has been shown to effect body composition by creating a reduction in body fat and an enhancement of lean tissue or muscle. According to Michael Pariza at the University of Wisconsin, this area of CLA research is the most supported. Recently, the research has focused on clinical studies with much success; showing statistically significant reduction in body fat as measured by BMI (Body Mass Index). A significant decrease measured in waistline measured in inches, a positive result for weight loss in mildly overweight subjects and an increase in strength. Human clinical studies to substantiate improved body composition have been conducted worldwide. Positive results of CLA supplementation have been seen at research centers worldwide.

(Kent State University, University of Memphis, University of Wisconsin, USDA Western Human Research Center, Medstat Research Ltd. in Norway, Uppsala University in Sweden, University of Kumanoto in Japan and University of Tours in France).

CLA appears to exert direct effects on adipocytes, which are the principle sites of fat storage and skeletal muscle cells and are the primary sites of fat combustion. It has been proposed that the physiologic mechanism of body fat reduction by CLA involves inhibition of fat storage in adipocytes coupled with elevated b-oxidation in skeletal muscle. An overall increase in skeletal muscle tissue may be mediated at least in part via the inhibition of immune-induced catabolism.

CLA is a metabolically active compound that has been demonstrated to dramatically reduce body fat and increase lean body tissue. The mechanisms of action are not completely understood, but because CLA has been shown to affect a wide variety of enzymes and hormones in the body, multiple mechanisms may come into play. Numerous human studies are in progress, which will make a stronger case for efficacy and dose response. Expectations are high that research will additionally show no regain of body fat lost, suggesting that CLA should be included with every diet regimen.

Not only does CLA have no harmful side effects, but it's actually good for your body. As a matter of fact, scientists worldwide are just beginning to understand CLA's wide range of potential health benefits. Here are quick summaries of CLA's current four principal health benefit areas.

CLA for Cancer:  In the early 1980s, Dr. Michael Pariza, working at the University of Wisconsin discovered that CLA interfered with the growth of cancer tumors. Since then, a number of other studies have further shown CLA's cancer-fighting potential. Some of these studies have shown that CLA can suppress cancer development in animals, and in human cancer cell lines in vitro. Dietary CLA also seems to protective against breast cancer in humans, as demonstrated in a large study at the University Francois-Rabelais. When breast adipose tissue was collected at the time of surgery, higher levels of CLA in the control group suggested CLA's protective effect against breast cancer. A different study in Finland confirmed the reverse correlation between milk fat intake, which contains CLA and breast cancer. Over the next few years, additional studies are planned to help further understand the role CLA may play in the fight against cancer.

Preventing and Treating Atherosclerosis: Over time, cholesterol and other substances can form plaque in your arteries, narrowing them, reducing your heart's blood supply. This is atherosclerosis, and it can kill you. In a collaborative study where a diet high in cholesterol was fed along with CLA to animals, the data suggested that CLA could help prevent atherosclerosis. By week 12, the LDL and total cholesterol and triglyceride counts were markedly lower in the blood of the animals fed CLA. Other studies have indicated that CLA reduces plasma lipoproteins and early aortic atherosclerosis in the animal model. According to Dr. David Kritchevsky at the Wistar Institute, another significant finding is the apparent ability of CLA to reduce the severity of pre-induced atherosclerosis lesions in the animal model. Overall, CLA has considerable potential for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, and studies continue to reveal it's potential health benefits.

In 1991, evidence obtained through the collaborative efforts of Dr. Mark Cook and Dr. Michael Pariza at the University of Wisconsin revealed the immune boosting potential of CLA. Feeding CLA to chicks provided partial protection against the catabolic effects of exposure to endotoxin. This research expanded to include rodents and supported the fact that CLA-fed animals exhibit enhanced immune functions. CLA is the only known nutrient that enhances the immune system and protects against the harmful "cellular backlash" that occurs when the immune system is stimulated. As published in separate issues of Cancer Research, CLA has been shown to be an effective antioxidant in vitro according to Dr. Yeong Ha and in vivo according to Dr. Clement Ip. Because numerous studies indicate that oxidative reactions are associated with the development of cancer and atherosclerosis, CLA's ability to reduce the harmful effects of these oxidative reactions could be its most important health benefit. In addition, research suggests that CLA may ease the inflammation that occurs when the immune system is challenged.