Conjugated linoleic acid: use and side effects. Conjugated linoleic acid: reviews

Recently, you can hear a lot of information about the benefits of bioadditives, of which the component is conjugated linoleic acid. What is linoleic, and even more so conjugated, very few people know. To the non-specialist in the field of chemistry and medicine, only the word "acid" is more or less understandable. Buying products and preparations containing this ingredient, most of us follow the information in the instruction and hope for magical results. Let's try to figure out what to expect from this product.

Acid, linoleic

For a healthy life and the normal functioning of all human organs, it is absolutely necessary that the body has essential fatty acids, which include linoleic. It is a linear chain of carbon atoms, which are numbered for the convenience of biochemists. Between 9th and 10th, and also between the 12th and 13th atoms, there are one bond of substituents in it. Unactivated carbon atoms, which separate them, prevent these bonds from influencing each other, what determines the properties of the substance. Conjugated linoleic acid can be obtained as an intermediate during the conversion of plain linoleic acid to stearic acid . All three are important for human metabolism. Without fatty acids, in particular linoleic, metabolic processes are disrupted in the body, the cardiovascular system, blood circulation, arteriosclerosis develops and the nutrition of all tissues worsens. A lot of linoleic acid goes to the structuring of the membranes of the cells of the human body. Therefore, it is vital to eat foods containing it.

What is conjugated linoleic acid

In this isomer, the substituent bonds change their place. One of them is located between the 6th and 7th carbons, and the other between the 8th and 9th. This close location allows them to influence each other, as well as the only free bond of carbon atoms between them. The second difference between two related acids in the arrangement of bond-substituents relative to the plane of the chain. In plain linoleic it is cis-form, that is, on one side, and in conjugated it is possible the presence of trans-forms, that is, different. Due to such seemingly insignificant differences, conjugated linoleic acid acquires new properties. In particular, it is able to perform two functions - to suppress activity as a transporter of fats from the blood to the cells, lipoprotein lipase, and simultaneously to strengthen the decomposition of the body fat, while the usual linoleic, on the contrary, promotes the accumulation of fats. Another sensational difference is the fact that linoleic acid uniquely contributes to the susceptibility of cholesterol to oxidation reactions, and its conjugated stabilizes.

The discovery of American scientists

Despite the latest technology, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was discovered relatively recently. In 1979-1980 a group of scientists from the American University in Texas conducted a series of studies on the effect of various products on the vital activity of the body. Michael Peyriz, then an assistant, noticed that fried meat unusually interferes with mutations in the DNA of muscle cells in animals. It was established that this property is possessed by the substance found in meat. Further studies have discovered other useful properties of the new element, in particular the ability to suppress the development of cancerous tumors. This served as a powerful impetus to the intensified study of the biochemical processes of the work of conjugated linoleic acid.

Beneficial features

At this stage of the study, it was found that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is capable of:

• Accelerate the metabolism in the body;
• To increase the mass of muscles;
• Lower cholesterol;
• Reduce the risk of developing diabetes by insulin resistance;
• Increase immunity;
• It is beneficial to reduce the incidence of food allergies.

KLK drugs inhibit the process of accumulation of fat, especially in the peritoneum (visceral) region. This type of fat deposits, which can capture the liver, heart and blood vessels, is very dangerous and often leads to heart attacks, strokes, thromboses and other troubles. KLK increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin, so fat, as well as glucose, pass more actively through the membranes, without being put off "in reserve." As a result, the percentage of fat decreases, and the muscle mass increases.

Laboratory research and experiments

Despite the fact that the conjugated linoleic acid possesses many surprising properties, the opinions of doctors and researchers about it are ambiguous. This is due to the fact that at this stage of drug use most of the experiments were carried out on animals. Thus, in rats fed daily with roasted meat, the process of tumor formation is significantly blocked. True, it has not been possible to find out at what particular stage this occurs - at the initial, progressive or final stage, when the cancer begins to give metastases. There is a suggestion that the drug works on all three. In addition, in rats, mice, and also in chickens, CLA significantly enhances the immune system, while in young animals it also promotes active growth. In another group of animals - rabbits and hamsters - CLC prevents the narrowing of arteries caused by atherosclerotic plaques. In public, such experiments were not carried out, so it is premature to draw unambiguous conclusions.

Losing Weight Experiments

It is possible to meet the claims that conjugated linoleic acid helps to significantly lose weight. The comments of people who tried it on themselves are also ambiguous. Some were satisfied, others did not notice the effect. In 2000, Swedish scientists published the results of their experiments with a group of volunteers who lost weight with the help of the CLC. All of them consumed 3.4 g of conjugated acid for 64 days. Not a single participant lost weight. In the same year, other independent researchers published opposite results of experiments conducted with another group of obese people. According to these data, weight loss was observed in those who took CLK preparations. Another experiment was conducted by scientists in Norway. They divided the participants into four groups, in each of which the daily administration of CLA was 1.7 g, 3.4 g, 5.1 and 6.8. The decrease in mass occurred only in the last two groups, which consumed increased doses of the drug.

The experiences and conclusions of Michael Peiris

How does conjugated linoleic acid affect people, not just animals, as a means of losing weight? The research was conducted on a large scale. Participated men and women of all ages, belonging to different ethnic groups. Michael Peiris, the discoverer of this substance, used in the experiment a group of fat people (71 volunteers). All of them took 3.4 g of the drug every day for 2 months and observed a diet that excludes dishes contributing to weight gain. The control group lost weight only with the help of a diet, without taking the drug. The participants of the project really reduced weight, but after the diet was again started to recruit, and taking the drug only increased muscle mass, while the control group again increased body fat. These data allowed the scientist to make a statement that the CLC not only reduces the size of fat deposits, but hinders their further increase. The experiment showed that the drug is able to increase the secretion of insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes and to reduce the quantitative values of glucose in the blood. Such results were noted in about two-thirds of the experimental volunteers.

Medical preparations with CLC

Many are interested in the question of whether conjugated linoleic acid is contained in which preparations. Here are some of the bioactive additives offered in pharmacies and sports stores with this ingredient:

1. "Linofit." The package contains 60 capsules, each containing 800 mg of acid. The price in the Russian markets is from 1500 rubles. Along with CLK in capsules, iodine and vitamin B6 are present, which greatly increases the useful properties of this dietary supplement.
2. Reduxin Light. Packages of 30, 90, 120 and 180 capsules are produced, each of which contains 500 mg of conjugated acid, as well as vitamin E. The price ranges from 1,000 to 2,720 rubles (depending on the number of capsules).
3. "Chocolate of life." The package contains 10 bags of powder with KLK, from which a beverage is prepared. The price is from 300 rubles.

There are foreign analogues: Zerofat, CLA, CLAextrim and others. Approximate price of them from 15 dollars.

Natural Sources

There are quite a few dietary supplements from various manufacturers, in which the main component is conjugated linoleic acid. Customer testimonials vary in the same way as research results of scientists. There are many people who have noticed a positive effect. At the same time there are a lot of those who did not have weight loss or were very insignificant. In addition to dietary supplements, KLK is found in a large category of natural products, so they can be eaten daily without any restrictions. The figures in the table for milk, meat and eggs refer to animals grown on natural foods.

Contraindications

It is not noticed that the reasonable use of the above products caused negative reactions of the organism (with the exception of individual immunity in individuals). When using drugs in which conjugated linoleic acid was contained, side effects, unfortunately, arose. So, some buyers who used dietary supplements with CLC, there were exacerbations of previously existing hemorrhoids, abnormalities in the digestive tract, rash, nausea. During the experiment in Sweden, only 47 of 60 people who took part in the experiment were able to complete the entire course. The rest were forced to abandon due to health problems.