CLA doesn't do much for fat loss...

Most of us who are familar with CLA have heard that it has promise when it comes to fat loss in animals but the human research is inconclusive.

Here's a recent 2006 study that pretty much gives CLA the thumbs down (it used to be promising) when it comes to fat loss at least for middle aged men engaged in a weight training program.

Conclusion: 

Our results suggest that CLA supplementation of 3.2 g/d for four weeks does not promote decreases in VAT in middle-aged men currently participating in a resistance-training program. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 3(2): 28-36, 2006

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

Too bad, although I take it, but not for fat loss, I have been using it for muscle mass maintenance while dieting.

However this study says it might help to prevent fat gain after weight loss.

The researchers concluded that CLA moderated body fat independent of reduced food intake, and that CLA may be more effective at protecting against regaining fat after weight loss than as a weight loss treatment.

Does this mean that it might help after a cutting cycle transitioning into a bulk?  To minimize the fat gains a bulking bodybuilder may experience?

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

Something more up to date if you're interested

http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/pdf/1743-7075-5-22.pdf

I feel like it's doing something for me but I could be imagining.  I've also only been taking it two weeks though but in conjuntion with the weight training and all of the food I am eating right now I have really not gained much weight which makes me think that it could be working.  I also take fish oil three times daily.  I guess I really couldn't say what it is.  I read the reviews from where I bought it from and there were a lot of positive independent reviews.

I've taken it in the past with what seamed like noticeable results.