Dangers of Conjugated Linoleic Acid

[F Trooper]

Putting aside all debate as to whether this supplement is effective for weight loss etc, is there any evidence for the negative side effects associated with this supplement?

Is there any proven scientific research that shows that CLA causes insulin and blood glucose levels to rise and therefore leading to or aggravating insulin resistance, with the possibility of an individual developing diabetes?

I, as well as many others I am sure, want to know the side effects of CLA on currently healthy individuals who do not possess any form or insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, and are at a healthy weight.

Can anyone shed some light on the matter regarding this supplements safety, with the assumption that an individual fills the above category?

Regards

[MiniHulk]

I don't know of any CLA dangers personally - I can imagine there aren't many considering it is naturally occuring in beef etc.

[Wotan]

Start here.
conjugated linoleic acid - PubMed - NCBI

There are approx 2,500 entries on this one supplement alone.

[F Trooper]

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There are approx 2,500 entries on this one supplement alone.

Thanks Wotan. I'll come back in 6 or 7 weeks time and tell you my conclusion...: P

[Wotan]

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Thanks Wotan. I'll come back in 6 or 7 weeks time and tell you my conclusion...: P

And that's exactly what everyone says too, ha ha ha!!

Why not just eat meat (which contains CLA) and forget the supplement?

[tony4100]

Conclusion? More like confusion!

[NU_nutrition_TS]

@Wotan: That was pretty much my reaction! Just a few moments of Googling turned up some information on 'CLA dangers' - most of which seem pretty mild: gastrointestinal upset, nausea, diarrhoea, etc. These symptoms could present themselves with the ingestion of a number of foods, drugs or supplements - not just CLA.

Another factor is that supplements tend to be of one particular isomer or another of the nutrient in question. CLA in whole foods, like the ones Wotan mentions, are likely to comprise the full spectrum of available isomers. One study, showing increased insulin resistance (in obese subjects) with CLA usage, used a supplemental form of one specific isomer of CLA.

Also CLA is an unsaturated fatty acid, which is prone to oxidation. Oxidised unsaturated fatty acids can be deleterious to health.

In a supplement, rapid oxidation is always a possibility due to increased chances of it being exposed to air, light and heat at any stage during production, storage, shipping and use. This is less likely if the CLA is obtained from fresh, whole foods.

[F Trooper]

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Conclusion? More like confusion!

I genuinely love some of the people on this forum! : P

[F Trooper]

Thanks for the replies.

I understand that sourcing CLA naturally form foods is likely to be a better option than it in taking a supplement. If CLA did cause insulin insensitivity or resistance, could this be reduced or stopped by taking a supplement such as chromium to increase insulin sensitivity? Chromium helps to regulate blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity, so could this reverse or prevent any problems caused by taking CLA?

[NU_nutrition_TS]

^That presupposes that insulin resistance is ALWAYS a bad thing and that insulin sensitivity is ALWAYS a good thing! It depends on the bigger picture of prevailing lifestyle, diet and overall metabolic/hormonal function.

Don't confuse changes in glucose metabolism with insulin sensitivity/resistance either - some of the studies involving the nutrients you mention may show increased glucose clearance, which may not be directly related to changes in insulin production or the tissue's sensitivity (or otherwise) to it.

As I said, the only study that showed an increase in insulin resistance with CLA supplementation was carried out in already obese subjects (no doubt already afflicted with some degree of insulin resistance) and the CLA used was a single, specific isomer which may not be the same one used in every available supplemental form of CLA.