CLA, or Conjugated Linoleic Acid, is an ingredient derived from Safflower oil that helps aid in weight management, improved muscle recovery, and general health.

Ingredients

This product contains 1000mg of safflower oil containing 780mg of CLA.

CLA has been shown to both reduce body fat while improving muscle strength and overall endurance and fitness. It is derived from safflower oil and is related to omega-6 fatty acids, which helps to increase resting metabolic rate and lower cholesterol. It is found naturally in small amounts in animal fats and dairy, but only supplements can provide such a high concentration.

Multiple studies have shown CLA to lower body fat percentage, even among adults who are not engaged in an exercise regimen, while also boosting muscle mass through regular exercise. It reduces fat by raising resting metabolic rates, causing the body to ‘burn’ its fat reserves for energy at a greater rate. For this reason, it can help people looking to lose weight and looking to become leaner.

The capsule shell is made from beef gelatin, glycerin, and purified water

Dosage

The manufacturer recommends taking one tablet, three times per day. Through research, we found that taking these just before or with meals is the most effective dosage.

CLA has been shown to be overall very safe, but women who are pregnant or nursing should consult with their doctor before taking this supplement, and it should not be given to children.

Possible Side Effects

In clinical trials, there were no severe instances of side effects, but is it possible that it could have an adverse effect in some people with diabetes, or who suffer from metabolic syndrome. It can also affect blood clotting, so those with bleeding disorders should consult a doctor or healthcare professional before taking this supplement. Anyone undergoing surgery should stop using CLA at least two weeks before their procedure to avoid any bleeding or clotting side effects.

As this product contains beef gelatine, it is not suitable for vegans and vegetarians, but it is gluten and dairy free.

Price

A bottle of 45 softgels is available through the company’s website for a sale price of $14.66, but can be found at other online supplement retailers for as low as $10.98, so it may be worth shopping around to find the best deals. PhD only delivers to the UK, so you will also need to find a retailer which ships internationally.

Guarantee

After extensive searching, we were unable to find any product guarantee on the manufacturer’s website, although it is possible that some stores may have an in-store policy. Customer reviews of this product, and of CLA more generally, are overwhelmingly positive, with no reported adverse effects, and measurable weight loss.

Conclusion

While the health benefits of CLA have been studied by numerous professionals, and customer reviews are overall positive, the lack of a return policy or money-back guarantee does not give buyers a recourse if they find the product ineffective or are unhappy with results. Further, though the ingredients seem to be of good quality, it may be difficult to find a retailer who ships this product outside of the UK.

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