Compound or practice · Nutrition
CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)
A stubborn fat-loss supplement whose human results are trivial — and whose synthetic isomers may worsen metabolic markers.
- Overall grade
- Grade D
- Last revised
- 2
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
1 at grade C · 1 at grade D — 2 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Insulin sensitivityEvidence grade C
Possible worsening
Smallmixed
- Fat lossEvidence grade D
Not meaningful
Triviallow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Insulin sensitivity (grade C); Fat loss (grade D).
The evidence in words
What it is
CLA is a family of linoleic-acid isomers found naturally in dairy and beef and sold synthetically for fat loss.
How it works
Certain isomers alter fat metabolism in animals dramatically; humans respond far less, and the synthetic isomer mix differs from the natural one.
What the evidence shows
Human trials show at most trivial fat-loss effects, not clinically meaningful, and some studies report worsened insulin sensitivity, oxidative stress, or lipids with synthetic CLA. The animal-to-human translation simply failed.
How to use it
Not recommended for fat loss.
Safety & interactions
High-dose synthetic CLA may adversely affect metabolic markers.
Bottom line
Skip it. The fat-loss effect is negligible in humans and the synthetic isomers may do metabolic harm.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- n/a
- Not recommended.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) for Fat lossEvidence grade D — Not meaningfulEvidence grade D
- CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) for Insulin sensitivityEvidence grade C — Possible worseningEvidence grade C
- CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid): dosage and how to take itNot recommended.Evidence grade D
- CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid): side effects, safety & interactionsHigh-dose synthetic CLA may adversely affect metabolic markers.Evidence grade D
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.