Tuesday January 2, 8:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Scandinavian Clinical Research a/s
New Clinical Study Shows CLA Reduces Body Fat
Timely Evidence Complements New Year's Resolutions to "Tone Up"
BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- A study published recently in The Journal of Nutrition (December 2000, Volume 130, #12) concludes that the natural dietary supplement conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat in people who are overweight or obese. The study is the largest published scientific evidence to date showing that the natural supplement reduces the weight of fatty tissue in humans. The double-blind, randomized, placebo- controlled study confirms a series of previous animal and human studies, which concluded that CLA improves body composition by reducing fat and preserving muscle tissue.

``We found an average reduction of six pounds of body fat in the CLA group compared to placebo,'' said project manager Ola Gudmundsen, PhD, chief executive officer, Scandinavian Clinical Research a/s, Kjeller, Norway. ``This new scientific evidence supports previous observations that CLA is quite effective as a fat-fighting supplement.''

Millions of Americans undertake fitness and weight loss resolutions at the start of a new year. Almost two thirds of American adults -- or 61 percent -- are currently classified as overweight, and more than one quarter of those are considered obese, according to recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control. These individuals are at increased risk of illness from hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, respiratory problems, and certain cancers. The total costs attributable to obesity-related disease approach $100 billion annually.

In the study, sixty overweight people were randomly assigned to take a placebo or CLA for twelve weeks. The main objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of different doses of CLA given from 1.7 grams to 6.8 grams per day, compared to placebo. Results showed measurable improvement in the body's fat mass. All study participants were given the option to undertake light exercise and moderate their food intake. The study indicates that 3.4 grams of CLA per day is enough to obtain all the beneficial effects on body fat. The group given the highest dose, 6.8 grams of CLA per day, also experienced a light increase in lean body mass.

``CLA may be a valuable weight management supplement to any diet regime. Keeping lean body mass and speeding up fat loss are the keys to a successful weight loss program,'' said study co-author Jan Wadstein, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at Lund University in Sweden. ``We are encouraged by our findings and are involved in further research on CLA's ability to expedite fat loss and preserve muscle mass.''

CLA is widely available in Europe and the United States as an over-the- counter dietary supplement. Two additional, independent studies on the body composition effects of CLA are anticipated in early 2001.

Scandinavian Clinical Research a/s is a Norway-based independent contract research organization. Researchers at the facility are dedicated to studying medical and nutritional advancements to improve human health and well being, and to document the effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

The Journal of Nutrition has been the official monthly publication of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences since 1928. The peer-reviewed journal is distributed worldwide, and publishes original research by authors from more than 30 countries. The CLA article is available at a nominal cost online at http://www.nutrition.org.

For study purposes, the investigators used Tonalin® CLA, manufactured by Natural, Inc. of Vernon Hills, Ill.

SOURCE: Scandinavian Clinical Research a/s

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