Conjugated linoleic acid is a controversial food element. It’s been touted as helping build muscle while promoting fat loss. Structurally, it’s an 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid isomer derived from the essential fatty acid linoleic acid. While there are 28 identified isomers, or similar compounds of CLA, the two most active versions are cis-9, trans-11; and trans-10, cis-12. Most commercial CLA supplements are composed of a mixture of those two isomers. CLA is found naturally in beef, lamb and dairy foods.
CLA may help reduce bodyfat by:
- Increasing resting energy expenditure by stimulating the activity of thermogenic proteins known as uncoupling proteins.
- Interfering with the activity of the fat-cell enzyme lipoprotein lipase, which blunts the amount of fat that can be storedin fat cells.
- Increasing the activity of the enzyme that works with L-carnitine in shuttling fat into the mitochondria, where fat is burned.
- Preventing new fat cells from forming by inhibiting the actions of fat-promoting genes.
- Lowering levels of leptin, a protein produced in fat cells that helps to regulate food intake and energy usage.
