Your Guide To The Best CLA Supplement On The Market

CLA supplements are popular with gym goers, bodybuilders and people trying to lose weight. The evidence behind them, though, is weaker than the marketing suggests.

CLA stands for conjugated linoleic acid. It is a group of chemical forms (isomers) of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid.

CLA naturally occurs in dairy products and the meat of grazing animals. Most supplements are made from sunflower or safflower oil.

Claimed benefits of taking this supplement include less body fat and more lean muscle. In human trials, results have been mixed, and many studies found no effect on body weight or body fat.

There is no good evidence that CLA supplements treat asthma, high blood pressure or heart disease.

With many strengths and blends on the market, picking one can be a challenge.

Keep in mind that the FDA does not approve supplements before they are sold. Under federal law, supplement makers are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their own products.

Here we will show you the best CLA supplement we have chosen and all the pros and cons.

What Makes A Good CLA Supplement?

If you’re trying to lose fat, you may have already searched for CLA supplements and seen the endless amounts available.

Having a few key features to consider can narrow down your search.

When searching for the best CLA supplement, look for a clear label that lists how much CLA each serving contains, and consider products tested by an independent group such as USP or NSF.

If you have any dietary requirements such as a gluten intolerance be sure to check the supplements are free of this.

Another factor to consider is a non-stimulant product. Some weight loss supplements may have a jittery caffeine effect.

Finding a product that is non-stimulant is a good choice as some people will overlook this aspect.

Finally, and this depends solely on your personal preferences, decide between powdered pills and soft gel capsules.

This is usually an option that people who struggle with powdered capsules may want to consider.

Is taking CLA supplements enough to slim down?

Probably not. A review of human trials in the journal Nutrients notes that some studies found modest fat loss with CLA, but many later studies found no effect on body weight or body fat.

There is no pill that safely makes you lose weight without changes to your diet and activity.

If you try CLA, treat it as a small extra at most, alongside a healthy, calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise. It’s best to have realistic expectations when planning lifestyle changes.

Claims that CLA speeds up your metabolism or balances cholesterol are not well supported in people.

Half the battle of losing weight is sticking to your diet. A registered dietitian or your doctor can help you build a meal plan that suits you.

Add in plenty of water, exercise and strength training for steady, sustainable progress. Stay safe and healthy!

CLA Side Effects

As always, it’s important to do your research and stay safe when looking at dietary aids and pre-workout supplements.

If you have any existing medical conditions, take any medication, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before taking anything.

Definitely check with your doctor if you have diabetes or prediabetes. In a 12-week trial in men with abdominal obesity, one form of CLA (trans-10, cis-12) was linked to higher insulin and blood sugar and lower insulin sensitivity.

Side effects of taking CLA supplements can include an upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Check the label of whatever product you buy, just in case they list other side effects due to extra ingredients they’ve added.

If you’re comparing products, read our article on fat burners and check any stimulant content carefully.

Stomach pain and gas can also occur.

It’s worth knowing the signs of side effects when adding any supplement to your diet.

This way, you know what to look out for and when to stop taking it and get help.

How is CLA produced?

CLA is found naturally in dairy products and in meat from grazing animals.

Microbes in the stomachs of cattle and other grazing animals convert linoleic acid from plants into CLA, so the animals’ diet affects how much ends up in milk and meat.

Many cattle today are fed grain-based diets, which can mean less CLA in the final product.

Supplement CLA is usually made from oils such as sunflower and safflower.

This means that many CLA supplements are vegan-friendly. It’s worth checking the label of whatever product you go for just to be on the safe side!

Your body makes only small amounts of CLA, so most comes from food or supplements.

CLA is a form of omega-6 fatty acid.

Lab and animal studies have looked at possible effects of different CLA isomers on cancer, cholesterol and immunity, but these benefits have not been shown in people.

Some animal studies of high doses also found fatty liver and insulin resistance, which is another reason to stick to the label dose.

Top CLA Supplement Products

NatureWise – CLA 1250 High Potency, All Natural Exercise Enhancement & Weight Loss Supplement

NatureWise describes this CLA supplement as non-stimulant, non-GMO and gluten-free, with no artificial ingredients.

The company says it is made in the USA.

It is marketed as an exercise and weight loss supplement.

It comes as softgel capsules.

If you want a safe supplement choice, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first, since supplements aren’t tested by the FDA before they’re sold.

NatureWise says its softgels contain 80% CLA from non-GMO sunflower oil.

One thing we like about NatureWise is its honesty.

The company says its CLA supplement is not a quick fix and should be combined with regular exercise and a balanced diet.

It is a popular choice among CLA supplements, which is why it’s our top pick. Don’t expect dramatic results from any brand, though.

Check The Best Price Here

Pros And Cons

Now, we can turn our attention to the pros and cons to using NatureWise CLA supplement and get a better overview of what this product brings to the table.

One benefit of this product is that it’s stimulant-free.

The maker says it is suitable for gluten-free diets and is made in the USA at GMP-certified facilities.

Like other CLA products, any effect on weight is likely to be small, even with a balanced diet and exercise.

It is non-GMO, but that doesn’t change the side effects, which are the same as for other CLA products.

Some people should avoid this product or talk to a doctor first.

This includes people with diabetes, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people with bleeding disorders and anyone with surgery coming up.

CLA may affect blood sugar, and its safety in these groups isn’t well studied. This applies to almost all CLA supplements.

As always, before taking any supplements be sure to consult your doctor.

MusclePharm CLA Core Diet Supplement

This supplement from MusclePharm is a simple option for anyone trying CLA for the first time.

Don’t count on it to break a weight-loss plateau, though. The evidence for CLA’s effects on fat, metabolism and appetite in people is weak.

Check The Best Price Here

Evolution Nutrition CLA 1000

Evolution Nutrition is another well-known supplement brand.

As with any CLA product, the evidence for weight loss is weak, so pair it with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

It is marketed for workout recovery, though that claim hasn’t been well tested in people.

It’s stimulant-free, so it won’t give you the jitters if you’re caffeine-sensitive.

Check The Best Price Here

High Potency CLA 1250

This option uses plant-based CLA, which may appeal to vegetarians and vegans.

Check the capsule ingredients, since some softgels contain gelatin.

There is no recommended daily intake for CLA, so you don’t need a supplement just because you don’t eat meat or dairy.

The label says it’s gluten-free, which helps if you have dietary requirements.

Check The Best Price Here

CLA Safflower Oil CLA 3000 Maximum Strength Formula

This one is labeled as a higher-strength formula.

The CLA in this product comes from safflower oil, and it contains no added stimulants.

It is marketed for fat burning and metabolism, but the evidence for those effects in people is weak. A higher dose doesn’t mean better results, so stick to the label.

It has plenty of customer reviews if you want to compare buyer experiences.

Check The Best Price Here

Common CLA questions

How much should I take each day?

There is no official recommended amount of CLA.

Human studies have used roughly 1.7 to 8 grams a day, often about 3 to 4.5 grams, with mixed results.

Follow the dose on the label, don’t take more, and ask your doctor before starting.

You may need to do a little bit of math when it comes to calculating dosages.

Some supplements contain ingredients other than just CLAs. It’s best to check how much actual CLA you’ll be ingesting per dosage of the product in general.

Ask a pharmacist to check the other ingredients, especially if you take any medication.

What if I miss a dose?

We’ve all been there. We get into bed at night and have that horrendous ‘did I leave the oven on?!’ feeling.

Of course, forgetting a supplement is nowhere near as bad as potentially burning the house down, but it’s still frustrating to get out of kilter and accidentally skip a day.

If you skip a dose, the best thing to do is to leave things as they are.

This kind of supplement does seem to have a ‘maximum efficiency’ level, so taking twice as much won’t suddenly have you losing weight twice as fast.

If that were the case, we’d all just take a whole pill bottle in one go and become tiny overnight.

Instead of panicking, just stick to your diet and workout plans and carry on taking the pills as normal the next day.

Remember, this is an addition to your diet, not an essential part of it!

Your body won’t lose out by not taking it, and tomorrow’s pill will still have its same usual effect on your body.

One day without a CLA isn’t the end of the world – it’s what your body was used to before, so don’t stress.

When can I expect to see results?

The answer to this really depends on a lot of factors, including your diet and calorie intake, as well as how much exercise you’re doing.

As with most lifestyle changes, you have to give your body some time to get used to things and to adapt.

Many studies lasted several months, and the effects they found were small or absent.

Taking the pills every day will not shrink your body on its own. Any results will come mostly from eating a calorie-controlled diet and exercising regularly.

Conclusion

If you decide to try a CLA supplement, NatureWise is a reasonable place to start. Keep your expectations modest, check with your doctor first, and focus on diet and exercise for real results.

It’s our top pick among the products here, based on its clear labeling and customer feedback.

Sources

• Conjugated Linoleic Acid Effects on Cancer, Obesity, and Atherosclerosis: A Review of Pre-Clinical and Human Trials with Current Perspectives, Nutrients (PMC)
• Dietary Supplements, U.S. Food and Drug Administration