CLA is a naturally occurring polyunsaturated fatty acid found in meat and dairy products, 2 or more times higher in grass-fed animals than in the grain-fed animals raised by conventional beef operations. CLA is also found in mushrooms and in supplement form as well.
Statistics from the CDC show that IBD, which includes Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, is one of the five most prevalent gastrointestinal disease burdens in the U.S., causing more than 700,000 physician visits, 100,000 hospitalizations, and disability in 119,000 patients per year. Over the long term, up to 75% of patients with Crohn's Disease and 35% of those with Ulcerative Colitis will require surgery.
In those with IBD, approximately 1.4 million in the U.S., the immune system mistakes food, bacteria, and other materials in the intestine for foreign substances and it attacks the cells of the intestines. The body then sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestines where they produce chronic inflammation.
Symptoms of IBD include progressive loosening of the stool and/or persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, rectal bleeding, fatigue, loss of appetite, skin lesions, joint pain, eye inflammation, and liver disorders.
Other Research on CLA
In 2003, a study led by researcher B.Q. Chen and published in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology" investigated the effects of CLA infusions on gastric cancer cells to determine ways to prevent the spread of cancer cells. In this study, CLA prevented cancer cells from adhering to proteins in cell membranes which prevented the spread of cancer.
In 2001, a study led by researcher V. Mousgios and published in the "Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry" assessed the effect of CLA supplementation on cholesterol levels after eight weeks of supplementation. Cholesterol levels decreased significantly. The first four weeks consisted of doses of 0.7 g/day and the next four weeks a dose of 1.4 g/day of supplemental CLA was given.
In 2000, a study led by researcher Henrietta Blankson and published in the "Journal of Nutrition" examined the effects of CLA supplementation of various doses in overweight and obese humans over the course of 12 weeks. Body fat mass decreased in people who took doses of 3.4 g/day or less.
Source:
CDC
Livestrong-CLA Health Benefits
Science Daily
Note: The best sources of CLA are found in grass-fed animal products and mushrooms.
Following are three links to available supplementation of CLA:
Swanson Vitamins
Lucky Vitamin
Nature's Sunshine (if purchasing through Nature's Sunshine, mention Member ID# 2902211)
Shared with: the healthy home economist
