Overweight and obese patients who used a conjugated linoleic acid supplement for six months reduced abdominal fat, but that reduction failed to increase insulin sensitivity, scientists reported here.

Overweight and obese volunteers who took 3.5 grams/day of conjugated linoleic acid reduced waist circumference by a little less than 1.5 inches (P<0.001) and waist-hip ration was reduced by -0.024 (P=0.017), said Sandra Einerhand, Ph.D., research director at Lipid Nutrition, a division of Loders Croklaan in Wormerveer, The Netherlands.

Conjugated linoleic acid is sold under many brand names as an over-the-counter supplement.

Working with independent research centers in Norway, Dr. Einerhand recruited 118 obese and overweight adults, who were evenly randomized to conjugated linoleic acid supplementation or olive-oil capsule placebo, she reported at Digestive Disease Week sessions here.

In addition to height and weight measurements, Dr. Einerhand and his colleagues assessed insulin sensitivity by use of euglycemic clamp.

After six months, patients in the conjugated linoleic acid group had reduced body fat mass by 5.6% (P=0.004 compared with placebo) and the reduction in fat mass was observed beginning at three months, she said.



Posted by: Evelyn    Source

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