What is CLA and what does it do?

I have been off low carbing for a little while and now CLA keeps popping up and I do not have a clue to what it is.

What am I missing out on?

CLA - Conjugated Linoleic Acid.

Its a fatty acid that is found in red meat, dairy, sunflower, safflower and other seeds.

Supposedly FOR SOME, it lessens abdominal fat and helps you burn quickly. It also has immune system boosters and for some, gives them natural energy.

The adverse is that it can actually make you gain weight (especially in the beginning), for some it cause bloat and or intestinal distress until your body gets used to it. And for some, like me who have taken CLA on 2 separate occasions for 2-3 months at a time, it does nothing. It is also expensive because you must take 3500 mgs per day (4 caps a day)for optimum affect and a typical bottle of 90 caps is around $30.00.

I take CLA daily but I am taking the liquid and all I take in one day is 1/2 tablespoon. I have been taking it for a few weeks now and I am starting to see a difference in inches lost. Like Yvonne said, it doesn't work for everyone just like everything else. I was curious and thought I would just give it a shot and I am glad I did, I feel great and a combination of being on atkins and CLA I have tons of energy!!

I wonder if flaxseed has CLA? I eat about 4 tablespoons a day to get my extra fiber quotient and I know some of the fatty acids are good for killing off candida (chapter 25 of Atkins book). Most don't think they have candida but if you are experiencing *bloat* from taking CLA, it could be that you have a mild candida infection that the CLA is killing off. Just a thought