Definition:

"CLA"
 (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)


(CLA) is an essential fatty acid. CLA cannot be produced by the human body.

CLA occurs naturally and is primarily obtained from foods such as grass fed beef, and lamb as well as grass fed dairy products..

CLA is research proven to build muscle, reduce body fat, and induce an optimum cellular environment for improved health!

Research shows that animals raised on grass can have as much as several hundred times the CLA in meat and dairy as those grain fed.
Studies show that animals raised a life time on grass and finished before market on grain also have less CLA.
This is an essential fat, research proven to destroy cancer cells, effective in reducing tumors, and most importantly promotes and aids weight loss.
A recent study showed a 60% reduction in breast cancer in those on CLA.

Grass fed meat as a rule has less fat, then grain fed "techno-FACTORY-ag" (define) raised meat" that also has been fed with chemicals, growth hormones and antibiotics which fat may have taken on unknown factors.
Grass fed meat and dairy also have compensating CLA to lower weight so grass fed meats have a double benefit.


New Zealand butter, which is almost 100% grass fed, has a reported 20 times or better, the CLA than U.S. butter (normally grain raised) and New Zealanders claim they can lose weight eating all the butter and local dairy products they want.

In controlled studies, animals that had their diets supplemented with CLA increased their body protein (muscle tissue) while at the same time, had a significant decrease in body fat.

Many muscle builder organizations are now promoting CLA supplements as a "muscle builder".
CLA seems to improve the lean muscle mass to body fat ratio, decreasing fat deposition, especially on the abdomen, and enhancing muscle growth.

The way this is achieved is of special interest to diabetics.

CLA reduces body fat by enhancing insulin sensitivity so that fatty acids and glucose can pass through muscle cell membranes and away from fat tissue.
This results in an improved muscle to fat ratio which is the goal of every diabetic.

This change from grass fed meat and dairy products to grain fed (primarily in the U.S. has happened over the last fifty years and a graph of the change parallels the graph of increasing obesity in U.S.

The following health benefits from CLA of special interest to Diabetics that are not all as well backed by research, never the less still clearly indicate the following effects:

CLA is available as an expensive supplement but some question the comparison with natural CLA which is readily available from grass fed meats.
Editors Note: There are some indications and reports that artificial CLA supplements may add to insulin resistance. Until this is cleared up we are strongly suggesting staying away from artificial CLA supplements.

Research conducted since 1999 indicates the extra cost often necessary in obtaining grass fed meats well worth while since it will increase your intake of CLA from 300% to 500%.

Simply switching from grainfed to grassfed products can greatly increase your intake of CLA.

 

"Based on the research and information I have on August 06 the above makes sense to me," Harlan Jacobsen Copyright © 2006

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