NewsRx.com

11 Jun 2004

As Americans increasingly focus on healthy lifestyles, those concerned with maintaining their waistlines are once again faced with the task of shrinking that winter bulge.

A study in the June 2004 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation for one-year reduces body fat mass in healthy, overweight humans, concludes the dietary supplement, conjugated linoleic acid, reduces body fat mass in overweight, but otherwise healthy, adults by as much as 9%.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is the first to document the long-term safety and efficacy of CLA supplementation over a 12-month period without additional lifestyle or dietary restrictions. This clinical trial is an ensuing study to previous animal and human trials that found CLA improves body composition by reducing fat and preserving lean muscle tissue.

CLA has been clinically proven to aid in the maintenance of lean tissue and may help tone the body without necessarily causing overall weight loss. It is thought to do this by decreasing the amount of fat stored after eating, increasing the rate of fat breakdown and metabolism - helping the body use its existing fat for energy - and decreasing the total number of fat cells.

The results of this first long-term study indicate that CLA, taken for 1 year as a dietary supplement, safely improves the ratio of body fat to lean tissue in overweight, but otherwise healthy, adults, said Dr. Jean-Michel Gaullier, of Scandinavian Clinical Research in Kjeller, Norway, and project manager of the study. Study participants who took 3.4 grams of CLA per day experienced a significant reduction in their body fat mass compared to those in the placebo group. These results confirm a trend observed in previous short-term CLA studies.

One hundred eighty healthy men and women volunteers, ages 18-65, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-30 kg/2, (indicating that they were overweight) were randomized to receive gel capsules containing either 3.4 grams CLA-free fatty acid, 3.4 grams CLA-triglycerides, or equivalent amounts of olive oil (placebo). Patients were then followed for 12 months. Weight, BMI, vital signs, and adverse events were recorded every 3 months. Body composition and blood samples were analyzed at regular intervals throughout the study, and participants were monitored continuously for any signs of serious adverse events.

At baseline, there was no difference between the groups for either weight, BMI, body fat mass, or lean body mass. After only 6 months of observation, individuals taking either form of CLA experienced a significant reduction in body fat mass, while those in the placebo group saw no change.

Daily caloric intake and exercise was not different between groups either at 0 or 12 months and thus most likely did not play a role in body composition changes observed in the CLA groups. Both forms of CLA were equally efficacious in body fat mass reduction and proven safe, when used for 1 year in healthy, yet overweight, adults. Study-related adverse events, typically rated as mild or moderate in nature, were nearly equal among groups taking either CLA or placebo (3-5%). The most common side effect was gastrointestinal complaints.

The CLA used in this study was TONALIN CLA, an exclusive product of the Cognis Group. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2004, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net.