Indication: Type II diabetes

Source: J Nutr 2003;133(1):257S-260S.

Research: In this double-blind study, subjects with type II diabetes mellitus were randomized into one of two groups receiving either a supplement containing mixed CLA isomers (CLA-mix; 8 grams daily, 76% pure CLA; n = 12) or a supplement containing safflower oil (placebo; 8.0 g daily safflower oil, n = 9) for eight weeks. The isomers of CLA in the CLA-mix supplement were primarily c9t11-CLA ( approximately 37%) and t10c12-CLA ( approximately 39%) in free fatty acid form.

Results: Plasma levels of CLA were inversely associated with body weight and serum leptin levels. When levels of plasma t10c12-CLA isomer were correlated with changes in body weight or serum leptin, t10c12-CLA, but not c9t11-CLA, was inversely associated with body weight and serum leptin. These findings strongly suggest that the t10c12-CLA isomer may be the bioactive isomer of CLA to influence the body weight changes observed in subjects with type II diabetes. Re­searchers determined that more studies are needed to draw a causal relationship between t10c12-CLA or c9t11-CLA and the modulation of body weight and composition in subjects with type II diabetes. Furthermore, determining the ability of CLA isomers to influence glucose and lipid metabolism as well as markers of insulin sensitivity is imperative to understanding the role of CLA to aid in the management of type II diabetes and other related conditions of insulin resistance.