Clarinol CLA

Clarinol CLA

The low-fat train has derailed and the mainstream media isincreasingly promoting the wonders of beneficial fats. Consumers are turning tobeneficial fats to reduce their risks of many health conditions such ascardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes and certain types of cancer, as well asto prevent weight gain and assist in weight loss. One of the leading beneficialfats is conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a derivative of the fatty acid linoleicacid (LA) that is found primarily in meat and dairy foods. CLA is also producedcommercially through particular manufacturing processes using sunflower orsafflower sources.

Studies in animals^1,2 and humans³ indicatethat CLA supplementation decreases body fat and increases lean muscle mass. Theincrease in lean muscle mass is most pronounced in individuals who areexercising regularly. CLA appears to reduce the ability of fat cells to take upfats from the bloodstream; it also inhibits the formation of new fat cells. CLAalso helps cells burn fat at a higher rate, while fueling and preserving muscle,leading to a reduction in fat and an increase in lean muscle mass.

CLA has also been studied for its ability to serve as achemopreventive agent, primarily in preventing breast cancer. A recent studyconducted at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., found that bothc-9,t-11 and t-10,c-12 isomers of CLA were effective at inhibiting angiogenesis(formation of new blood vessels) in vitro in a dose-dependent fashion.⁴Similar in vivo research in rats found that CLA significantly inhibited theformation of premalignant lesions and stimulated apoptosis (cell death).⁵

To overcome these and other marketing issues, Loders CroklaanLipid Nutrition developed Clarinol in a triglyceride form. While maintaininga high concentration of CLA, it is a clear and colorless ingredient, making forclear, golden gel capsules. As a "natural" form of CLA (since 98percent of fats ingested come in a triglyceride form), it does not have the GIissues and has a "clean" taste. Its availability in oil and powderforms permits its inclusion in a variety of delivery systems, including bars,dry mix beverages, liquid beverages, dairy products and more.

Most CLA in the nutritional industry has been available only ina free fatty acid form. While it affords health benefits, it can have sideeffects such as gastrointestinal (GI) distress, burping reflux, a"soapy" taste and burning sensation in the mouth. It can also bedifficult to incorporate into food products.

Most research on the health benefits of CLA, whether for theinhibition of breast cancer or the maintenance of lean body mass with fat loss,has used the free fatty acid form. However, it appears that the health benefitsof the triglyceride form of CLA are equal to those found in a free fatty acidform of CLA.

A study conducted at the Roswell Park Cancer Institutespecifically reviewed whether the triglyceride form of CLA had biologicalactivities similar to those of a mixture of free fatty acid CLA isomers.⁶Feeding butter fat CLA to rats during mammary gland development significantlyinhibited the development of breast cancer cells. Also, the rats given butterfat CLA accumulated more total CLA in the mammary gland and other tissues thanthose given free fatty acid CLA. Another study, conducted at the Dairy ProductsResearch Centre in Cork, Ireland, concluded that triglyceride-bound CLA,consisting primarily of the c-9,t-11 isomer was cytotoxic toward human breastcancer cells.⁷

Studies on body fat accumulation have shown similar results.Researchers from the Department of Applied Biological Sciences in Saga, Japan,investigated the efficacy of a four-week supplementation regimen of CLA as afree fatty acid or triglycerol on serum leptin concentration, body fataccumulation and mitochondrial beta-oxidation in rats.⁸ They foundthat "both forms of CLA can reduce serum leptin concentrations, body-fatmass and body weight."

Clarinol is produced through a patent-protected process thatyields extremely high levels of active isomers (c-9,t-11 and t-10,c-12). LodersCroklaan also holds a license under a number of Wisconsin Alumni ResearchFoundation (WARF) patents covering claims manufacturers can make on products;these allowed claims include maintaining levels of body weight, reducing amountof body fat, and reducing weight gain.

Clarinol triglyceride products come in two forms. Clarinol G80contains 80 percent CLA and is recommended for soft gel capsules and nutritionalbars. Clarinol powder contains 64 percent CLA and can be used in soft gelcapsules, nutritional bars, shakes and ready-to-drink mixes.

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