Conjugated l;inoleic Acid (CLA), a naturally occurring fatty acid, has been extensively studied for its ability to maintain lean muscle mass and promote fat loss. Scientist are still elucidating CLA's method of action for decreasing body mass. However, it appears CLA acts upon both fat cells (adipocytes) and skeletal muscle cells, inhibiting fat storage in fat cells, stimulating the breakdown of triglycerides in adipocytes and increasing energy production through betaoxidation in cellular mitochondria.
Cognis Nutrition & Health supplies Tonalin CLA, a high-quality CLA created from safflower oil through a unique processing system that optimizes the effects of the ingredient's two active isomers --cis-9, trans-11 (c9t11) and trans- 10, cis-12 (t10c12). The ingredient is triple distilled and comprehensive analytical test ensure product quality and isomer profile. Safety data suggest CLA preparations higher in the c9t11 and t10c12 isomers are safer and more efficacious than those with different isomers.
Tonalin CLA has been well studied for its role in changing body composition. In a four-week trial, men taking 4.2 g/d of CLA (as Tonalin) showed a significant decrease in abdominal diameter. Similar results were seen in a 12-week intervention in 60 overweight or obese subjects, who received 1.7, 3.4, 5.1 or 6.8 g/d of CLA (as Tonalin). There was a significantly higher reduction in body fat mass (BFM) in the CLA groups compared to placebo, with a significant reductions reported in the 3.4 and 6.8 g/d groups.
In another 12-week, double blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 53 healthy men and women, 4.2 g/d of Tonalin CLA produced a statistically significant reduction in body fat mass (3.8 percent). And a study in 20 healthy subjects found 1.8 g/d of Tonalin CLA plus 90 minutes of physical exercise three times a week significantly reduced BFM with no change in overall body weight.
Cognis has also committed to showing the long-term safety and efficacy of Tonalin CLA. Results from a one-year study using Tonalin CLA were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in early 2004, the first time researchers had established the efficacy of CLA supplementation in reducing BFM and increasing lean body mass (LBM) over an extended time period without changes in exercise or diet. The significance of the research findings were noted by the National Institues of Helath's (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), which selected the study as one of the 25 most significant advances in dietary supplement research in 2004.
In this double blind, placebo-controlled study, Jean-Michel Gaulier, Ph.D., and colleagues at Scandinavian Clinical Research in Norway randomized 180 men and women, aged 18 to 65 and with a body mass index (MBI) of 25 kg/m squared to 30 kg/m squared, into three groups receiving capsules containing 4.5 g/d of olive oil (placebo), were assessed every three months; body composition and blood samples were also analyzed regularly.
Researchers found a significant decrease in BFM in both groups receiving CLA compared to placebo, and the CLA-free fatty acid group had an increase in LBM compared to placebo. The study results were not attributable to changes in diet or exercise, and no adverse events were reported. The authors of the study concluded both forms of CLA cause a significant decrease of BFM over a one-year period in healthy, overweight adults.
Of the 157 participants who completed this one-year study, 134 continued in an open study for another 12 months. All subjects were supplemented with 3.4 g/d of CLA in triglyceride form (as Tonalin). Among other findings, subjects given CLA in the first study did not regain BFM or body weight, and experienced reductions in plasma levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. CLA was also found to lower levels of leptin, promoting better sensitivity to the hormone and helping satiety. The researchers concluded CLA supplementation for 24 months in healthy, overweight adults is well tolerated, decreases BFM in overweight humans, and may help maintain initial reductions in BFM and weight in the long term.
"CLA helped study partcipants keep off lost weight while maintaining LBM - which keeps the metabolism going strong and burning calories - thereby reducing the chances of weight regain," Gaullier said.
In addition to its commitment to research, cognis is also dedicated to supporting its brand marketing partners at retail by helping educate consumers about Tonalin. The company recently relaunched its consumer Web site (www.tonalin.com) to allow consumers to e-mail questions about CLA and receive personalized responses, and subscribe to an online newsletter about healthy weight maintenance. It has also promoted national video news releases (VNRs) to the AJCN study generated nearly 75 million impressions nationally. The result at retail is that sales for Tonalin CLA sales in the food, drug and mass channel were up 29.2 percent, compared to a 10-percent increase for the general CLA category.
References
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