The real skinny on the “skinny fat” that blasts belly fat.
If you’ve read my Fat Flush books, you know I’m a big believer in the power of “good fats” for weight loss! And when it comes to losing stubborn stored fat, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a critical fatty acid from the omega-6 family, has proven to do just that.
In fact, the latest study, published in the journal Nutrition in 2012 found that among 80 overweight and obese Chinese subjects, two daily doses of CLA (1700 mg each) for 12 weeks reduced body fat by 2%.
Other landmark research in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that CLA improves muscle to fat ratio. Not only that! Study volunteers also lost an average of six pounds of fat.
“Due to its beneficial effect on body composition and inflammatory processes,” CLA “reduces body fat content, improves plasma lipid profile, [and] maintains insulin sensitivity,” which helps balance blood sugar, explain Spanish scientists.
Another recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that supplementing with CLA reduces both “total and trunk adipose mass,” contributing to weight loss and glycemic control in obese postmenopausal women with Type 2 diabetes. And Danish researchers report similar waist-trimming and body fat reduction in healthy older women.
Why is CLA such a fat blaster?
Whenever you consume fat your body doesn’t need for energy—something that most of us do all too easily—an enzyme called lipoprotein lipase causes your fat cells to absorb and store excess fat. The good news is that CLA blocks this enzyme, diverting unused fat to muscle cells instead.
This healthy fat has even been shown to prevent fat cells from refilling, keeping you lean and toned—even if you do regain a pound or two after dieting. Because it’s so effective, CLA helps avoid the “yo-yo” pattern of losing and gaining weight.
Before the 1970s Americans didn’t need to supplement with CLA—because grass-fed dairy and meat naturally contained this healthy fat. It’s not surprising that our national epidemic of obesity coincides with the trend of feeding and fattening livestock with grain—reducing our CLA intake as much as 80%.
Watching your waist?
In healthy, exercising adults, CLA has been found to significantly reduce body fat percentage from 21% to 17%—without any other changes to diet or lifestyle! And if you’re into fitness, this “skinny fat” appears to enhance endurance by reducing stored liver glycogen.
The overwhelming body of CLA studies show how helpful it is for the liver. In fact, “treatment with CLA did not increase liver weight and accumulation of fat in the livers’ of ovariectomized mice, commonly used as a model for postmenopausal women. French research suggests that CLA can even improve liver metabolism, providing protection against a fatty liver.
Most important, a two-year study in the Journal of Nutrition shows that CLA is very well tolerated in healthy, overweight adults. Study subjects who lost body fat during the first year maintained their lower body fat mass during the second year—while those taking a placebo did not.
Wellness benefits, too…
Part of the tried and true Fat Flush protocol for over ten years, CLA does more than whittle your middle. It also builds muscle, boosts metabolism, and enhances immunity.
Not only can belly fat increase the risk for cardiovascular disease but “abdominal obesity needs to be included as a risk factor for osteoporosis and bone loss” too, says Miriam A. Bredella, MD, at Massachusetts General Hospital. It’s interesting that a recent study on CLA shows that it has the potential to improve bone mass, as well as trim belly fat.
Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat without detrimental effects on breast health or inflammatory responses, finds new Cornell University research. And earlier studies show cancer-fighting properties of CLA, suppressing the growth of different cancer-cell lines.
Controlled scientific studies show that this healthy fat provides powerful antioxidant protection, lowers cholesterol levels, and improves nutrient absorption.
Put CLA to work for you!
Now you can better understand why I have recommended CLA-1000 as part of my Fat Flush protocol all these years. Stimulant-free, this supplement contains the type of CLA—the specific formulation used in the studies showing so many benefits.
One softgel of CLA-1000 contains 1000 mg of safflower oil of which a minimum of 60% (600 mg) is conjugated linoleic acid. The recommended dosage is one (1) softgel of CLA-1000 three times daily with meal. But for accelerated belly fat loss, you can double up for two weeks and then reduce back to one (1) softgel per meal.
As one satisfied customer says, “After taking CLA-1000 for about two weeks, there was a noticeable difference in the way my pants fit. The waist band is loose, not cutting in. There’s no more muffin-top!”
8 Responses
I have tried the CLA and now I am taking the flora key and the yeast drops. I have not lost any weight and my cravings are still there. What would you advise for weight loss, something to help with the appetite and cravings.
Hi Ruzanna, I would highly recommend the Weight Loss Formula, a part of the Fat Flush Kit. The chromium in this formula helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, which in turn helps reduce cravings. These supplemental changes will be most effective of course along with a sound nutritional approach- like the Fat Flush Plan diet.
I discovered I have a bottle of CLA purchased last year which has an expiration date of 8/12. I used it a couple times. Would it still be effective?
Since it has an expiration date, I would probably replace it, especially since it is an oil.
Hi Ruzanna,
Are you eating grains, starchy vegetables, fruit, and/or sugar? Taking these foods out of your diet will help. Your body most likely needs to be reoriented toward fat burning versus sugar burning, as it’s primary source of energy.
Hope this helps~
Is the Safflower oil GMO free? I thought vegetable oils were bad for you (except for olive oil)
Hi Sylvie, The UNI KEY brand does not use and GMOs, so the UNI KEY CLA-1000 is a GMO free supplement. Safflower is a seed oil, which is rich in omega 6 fatty acids. When balanced with an equal or greater amount of omega 3 fatty acids, there is no complication. If someone, however, consumed a large amount of omega 6 fatty acids without any omega 3s, one might experience an increase of inflammatory symptoms. So, along with your CLA, be sure to also take a fish oil supplement, or use flaxseed oil daily.
I have a sluggish thyroid and heard flax oil can block the uptake of iodine. And that I could take fish oil instead of flax. Is this right? And also..is Krill Oil superior to other fish oils?