I am a huge fan of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and encourage my patients and contest prep clients to take it regularly. CLA is part of the omega family of fatty acids which has a powerful effect on diminishing body fat. It also has a protective effect against heart disease and cancer. People who are on a weight loss program benefit greatly from incorporating this supplement into their daily meal regimens.

CLA works on body fat by making it available as a source of energy so that it is burned up rather than stored. It also prevents the drop in metabolic rate that commonly occurs in individuals who practice a calorie restricted diet. As if this isn’t enough, CLA prevents the deposition of lipids and plaque in arteries which is the key component in the development of heart disease.

Recommended daily dosage is 3 to 4 grams per day, in three divided doses. I take 1,000 milligrams three times daily with meals.

There has been a controversy surrounding the benefits of CLA. Some skeptics say it doesn’t work. However, it appears that these skeptics are individuals who expect their fat to magically melt away. Come on people! If you truly want to reshape your body and change the ratio of lean body mass to fat mass, you need to eat properly and exercise regularly. There are no magic weight loss pills, but the public is so brainwashed into thinking that such things may exist. If you expect CLA to counteract poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle, don’t bother adding CLA to your regimen. However, if you adopt healthy eating and regular exercise, you will most likely experience a boost in fat loss with CLA supplementation.