CLA

What does the research say?

Research on CLA's effects on building muscle mass has shown mixed results. Some studies suggest that CLA supplementation, when combined with resistance training, may lead to an increase in lean body mass and a decrease in body fat mass [16] . However, some studies have not shown significant improvements in lean mass [18, 19]. The positive effects of CLA on muscle mass seem to be more pronounced when exercise is standardized and supervised [16] . It is also important to note that some animal studies have shown an increase in muscle mass and improved muscle function [19] , while studies in humans show more moderate results [18] . Furthermore, CLA has been shown to enhance glycogen resynthesis in exercised muscle [27] , potentially aiding in recovery and muscle growth. Overall, while CLA shows promise for improving body composition, its effectiveness for building muscle mass in humans is not definitively established and may depend on various factors, including exercise habits [16, 18].

Liver steatosis

Liver steatosis: A common side effect, particularly with the trans-10,cis-12 isomer, is the development of fatty liver [19] .

Impaired glucose tolerance

Impaired glucose tolerance: CLA supplementation may impair glucose tolerance in some individuals [27] .

[1] Supplements with purported effects on muscle mass and strength.

This review discusses several supplements, including CLA, that are purported to promote muscle growth and strength gains. However, the effectiveness of these supplements remains unclear.

[2] Impact of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on Skeletal Muscle Metabolism.

This review summarizes the effects of CLA on skeletal muscle metabolism, highlighting its potential to increase lean body mass and enhance physical performance. It also discusses the possible mechanisms of action.

[3] Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Potential Health Benefits as a Functional Food Ingredient.

This review discusses the biological activities of CLA, including its ability to reduce body fat and improve lean body mass, as well as its potential health concerns.

[4] Metabolomic Changes Upon Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation and Predictions of Body Composition Responsiveness.

This study investigates the effects of CLA on body composition, though the mechanisms behind its benefits are not fully understood.

[5] Allosteric modulation of cardiac myosin mechanics and kinetics by the conjugated omega-7,9 trans-fat rumenic acid.

This study explores the effect of rumenic acid (a type of CLA) on cardiac myosin mechanics, suggesting a potential influence on muscle function.

[6] Conjugated Fatty Acids in Muscle Food Products and Their Potential Health Benefits: A Review.

This review discusses various conjugated fatty acids, including CLA, and their potential health benefits, including effects on body composition, lipid metabolism, and immune function.

[7] Adaptations of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria to Obesity, Exercise, and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids.

This review discusses how exercise and specific fatty acids, such as CLA, can positively influence mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle.

[8] Nutrition modulation of cachexia/proteolysis.

This review examines how specific nutrients, including CLA, can be used to treat cachexia, a condition characterized by muscle wasting.

[9] Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and obesity.

This review discusses the effects of CLA on body composition, highlighting the mixed results observed in animal and human studies.

[10] Effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on immune responses, body composition and stearoyl-CoA desaturase.

This review focuses on CLA's effects on immune responses, body composition, and its unique ability to enhance lean body mass while reducing fat.

[11] Conjugated linoleic acid supplements preserve muscle in high-body-fat adults: A double-blind, randomized, placebo trial.

This study investigates the effect of CLA supplementation on body composition in Chinese adults with elevated body fat percentage.

[12] Lipid peroxidation in presence of ebselen.

This study examines lipid peroxidation products and the effect of ebselen, an antioxidant.

[13] Dietary conjugated linoleic acid supplementation alters skeletal muscle mitochondria and antioxidant status in young horses.

This study examines the effects of CLA on mitochondrial function, antioxidant status, and muscle damage in young horses.

[14] Fatty acid and conjugated linoleic acid content of Anatolian buffaloes at different muscle types and slaughter weight.

This study investigates the fatty acid composition and CLA content in different muscle types of Anatolian buffaloes at different slaughter weights.

[15] Conjugated linoleic acid prevents high glucose-induced hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction in adult rat cardiomyocytes.

This study shows that CLA can prevent high glucose-induced structural and functional changes in heart cells, suggesting a protective effect.

[16] Do fat supplements increase physical performance?

This review discusses the role of various fat supplements, including CLA, in improving physical performance, highlighting CLA's potential to reduce body fat and increase lean mass with exercise.

[17] Fatty acid profile and carcass characteristics in castrated and uncastrated hair lambs.

This study investigates the effects of castration on fatty acid profiles in lambs, with implications for meat composition and CLA content.

[18] Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on body composition and plasma lipids in humans: an overview of the literature.

This review examines the effect of CLA on body composition and plasma lipids in humans, finding limited evidence of body fat reduction, but a possible tendency to increase lean body mass.

[19] Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduces Body Weight and Fat in Snord116m+/p- and Snord116m-/p- Mouse Models of Prader–Willi Syndrome

This study investigates the effects of CLA on body weight and fat mass, as well as muscle function, in mouse models of Prader-Willi syndrome.

[20] Proteome alterations associated with the oleic acid and cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid content in bovine skeletal muscle.

This study analyzes protein differences associated with oleic acid and CLA content in bovine skeletal muscle, contributing to the understanding of how fatty acids are regulated.

[21] Conjugated linoleic acid: implications for human health.

This review examines the potential benefits of CLA, emphasizing the need for more human research to support the claims of its effectiveness.

[22] The biologically active isomers of conjugated linoleic acid.

This review discusses the effects of different CLA isomers, highlighting their distinct impacts on adipocytes, lipid metabolism, and carcinogenesis.

[23] Conjugated linoleic acid regulates adipocyte fatty acid binding protein expression

This study investigates how CLA regulates fat deposition in muscle tissues, enhancing meat quality.

[24] Colonic anti-inflammatory mechanisms of conjugated linoleic acid.

This review discusses the anti-inflammatory properties of CLA, focusing on its mechanisms of action in the context of enteric inflammatory disorders.

[25] Trans-octadecenoic Acid Positional Isomers Have Different Accumulation and Catabolism Properties in Mice.

This study investigates the metabolic fate of trans-octadecenoic acid isomers and their role in the formation of CLA in mice.

[26] Conjugated linoleic acid: health implications and effects on body composition.

This review provides a balanced overview of CLA, acknowledging its potential benefits but emphasizing the need for more human research.

[27] Oral conjugated linoleic acid supplementation enhanced glycogen resynthesis in exercised human skeletal muscle.

This study found that CLA supplementation enhances glycogen resynthesis in exercised human muscle, although it may impair glucose tolerance.

[28] Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR), fatty acids and microRNAs: Implications in women delivering low birth weight babies.

This study explores the role of PPARs, fatty acids, and microRNAs in relation to low birth weight babies, with implications for metabolic health.

[29] Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Intake on Endurance Exercise Performance and Anti-fatigue in Student Athletes.

This study examines the effect of CLA on endurance performance and muscle mass in student athletes.

[30] Conjugated linoleic acid pork research.

This review discusses the use of CLA in pig feed, highlighting its potential to improve body composition and increase muscle marbling fat in pork.