Nutraceutical: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)

Indication: Fat gain (children)

Source: Am J Clin Nutr, March 3, 2010 [Epub ahead of print].

Research: Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of CLA in 62 pre-pubertal children aged 6-10 years who were overweight or obese but otherwise healthy. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive 3 grams per day of 80% CLA (50:50 cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 isomers) or placebo in chocolate milk.

Results: Fifty-three subjects completed the trial (28 in the CLA group; 25 in the placebo group). CLA attenuated the increase in body mass index (BMI) compared with placebo. The percentage change in body fat measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was smaller in the CLA group than in the placebo group. The change in abdominal body fat as a percentage of total body weight was smaller in the CLA group than in the placebo group. There was, however, a dip in HDL cholesterol in the CLA group, as well as less bone mass accretion over time. Researchers believe CLA supplementation for 7 months decreased body fatness in 6-10-year-old children who were overweight or obese, but it did not improve plasma lipids or glucose and decreased HDL more than in the placebo group.