When Should You Take CLA? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

When Should You Take CLA?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • Take CLA before or during your meals.
  • CLA is a substance that your body does not make naturally so you can only get it from foods.
  • It is recommended that you take approximately 3,000 milligrams of CLA if you are trying to lose weight.

To get the best benefits from your supplement regimen, it is important to take them at the right time. When should you take CLA? In order for your body to get maximum use from its properties, it is ideal to take CLA before or during your meals.

A good supplement plan can also play a big part. Having CLA on your list of supplements may help you achieve your goals sooner. Get more out of your workouts and supplement routine by going PRO. Contact us today to learn more!

What Is CLA?

CLA is an acronym for conjugated linoleic acid. Found mostly in animal and milk products, CLA is classified as a fatty acid.

Health officials list CLA as one of the helpful fats. Ironically, it is found in many products that have a large amount of the unhealthy type of fat.

CLA is a substance that your body does not make naturally so you can only get it from foods. Research has proven that cows fed from a diet of grass, instead of grains or soy, have the highest levels of CLA.

If you are interested, you can just ask your local butcher or health food store for beef and dairy that has come from livestock fed on grass. Grass-fed beef is labeled as such in your local supermarket.

Also, CLA is used to decrease the fat in your body. CLA works by helping to deliver more fat directly to your muscles where it can be burned for energy instead of sticking to bellies and thighs as unwanted pounds.

CLA has the same effect on sugar that you consume. It is believed to be better than simple linoleic acid because it helps to prevent the development of cancerous growths.

You can get most of the CLA your body needs by simply eating a healthy, balanced diet. For more information about a well-rounded diet, visit the USDA’s nutrition website, Choose My Plate.

Many people do not get enough CLA in their meals due to the convenience and overuse of boxed, frozen and fast foods. When these types of products are created, the helpful CLA often gets removed. This affects your ability to process caloric intake properly and can lead to excess weight. Additionally, while watching the scale, you might be avoiding the very foods that are rich in CLA.

For various reasons, more people are eliminating meats and cheeses from their diet but wondering why they are still gaining weight. CLA could be the answer.

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What Are the Benefits of Using CLA?

Bodybuilders already know that the greatest way to show off their muscle definition is to eliminate any fat that surrounds it. CLA has been used for years as a weight-loss supplement with mixed results. Having more muscle helps you burn additional calories.

Unlike other products to help you lose weight, CLA does not have caffeine or similar ingredients. CLA works by increasing the rate at which you burn calories and improving your immune system.

Studies have shown that CLA supplements might help you to achieve and maintain weight loss. However, it does not appear to be the significant amount of pounds you may be striving to lose.

It is also important to remember the CLA and other weight loss supplements are not miracles in a bottle. Like weight training, you still have to put in the work to see the results you desire.

When you are working hard to lose weight, you need to make sure you are losing the right kind of weight. You don’t want to get rid of muscle mass or only water weight.

It is crucial that you give your muscles the proper tools to grow while still reducing calorie intake.

CLA is often used in medications designed to prevent allergic symptoms. It has also been studied for treating blood vessel blockages.

How Much CLA Should You Take?

It is recommended that you take approximately 3,000 milligrams of CLA if you are trying to lose weight. Commonly sold in capsule form, CLA is best when consumed before or during a meal.

Are There Any Side Effects From CLA?

Preliminary studies suggest that CLA might have a negative effect on your blood sugar levels by hindering your body’s natural ability to handle insulin. Also, it appears to decrease the amount of “helpful” cholesterol, called HDL, in your body.

In addition, some users have reported queasiness and digestive issues after taking CLA. Diabetics should avoid taking this supplement unless they have approval from their physician.

The Bottom Line

CLA can be used to supplement a healthy lifestyle, but it may have a negative effect on your blood sugar levels. Always check with your physician before starting a supplement routine, and remember that not all supplements are the same. Buy from a reputable company and read the reviews before committing to a specific brand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have to take supplements?

Unless your doctor has instructed you to take certain supplements, you do not have to take them.

Are supplements safe?

Whether or not supplements are safe to take depends on a number of factors. Learn more about the safety of supplements here.

What supplements do I need to take?

No one can answer that aside from your doctor. To learn more about the various supplements that doctors commonly recommend, check out this article.

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