Obesity is a sickness characterized by being overweight or having excess fat in the body. It can affect any person at any age and gender. It is mainly measured through the body mass index (BMI), or the proportion of one's weight to his height.
A severe and more serious form of obesity is morbid obesity. Morbidly obese individuals are those who are 100 lbs. overweight and have a BMI of over 40. If left untreated, obesity can cause serious health risks like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Difficulty in motor movements and breathing are also common among obese people.
Because of the risks posed by obesity, people have resorted to different means to help them lose weight. According to reports, an estimated $56 billion is being spent every year by Americans on different weight loss methods and techniques. Of this amount, $6 billion is spent on fraudulent and ineffective products.
About weight loss supplements
Weight loss supplements are designed to help individuals lose weight. They work by either helping burn fat or suppressing hunger. Reports revealed that one out of seven Americans use non-prescribed weight loss supplements. Majority of users are women.
One of the popular types is the CLA weight loss supplement. CLA stands for conjugated linoleic acid and is known to help burn fat and even prevent cancer.
How it works
CLA is an essential part of our diet. It is a type of unsaturated fat that is found in meat products, but unlike most unsaturated fats, CLA is actually beneficial for the body. It is believed to contain various forms of antioxidants and to have anti-tumor properties.
Furthermore, some studies conducted on mice have shown promising results. On the other hand, studies conducted on humans have shown that CLA has a tendency to reduce body fat, particularly abdominal fat. It can also decrease the body's glucose uptake. Taking a CLA weight loss supplement can make muscles leaner and even prevent breast cancer.
Is it effective?
Despite the claims that the CLA weight loss supplement is effective, there are still several questions and concerns about its safety. For instance, the American Institute for Cancer Research has expressed doubt that the CLA weight loss supplement can actually prevent breast cancer. According to the Institute, no sufficient research has been made to back up this claim.
A closer look
To find out whether your CLA weight loss supplement is really effective, you need to take a closer look at its risks and benefits. Although lab experiments have so far showed promising results, a closer inspection by the Ohio State University revealed that the lab animals accumulated excessive amounts of fat in their liver - a common side effect of rapid weight loss. Fat accumulation in the liver is linked to insulin resistance, a distinguishing feature of Type 2 diabetes.
Although studies have shown that a CLA weight loss supplement does cut down on body fat, its effects on other parts of the body are still unknown. Most researchers have found that CLA creates a resistance against insulin, which can make patients prone to diabetes. Reports on the studies made on CLA were published in both the Journal of Lipid Research and the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.
On breast cancer
There is also no sufficient evidence to support the efficiency of CLA weight loss supplements against breast cancer. However, if you are looking for a supplement that helps reduce the risks, it is best to look for another supplement, one that is more natural and has fewer side effects. It's also important to monitor your diet and take care of your body.
The bottom line is that you still can't rely entirely on supplements to lose weight. Further studies are yet to be made to confirm the efficiency and safety of CLA in weight loss. Until then, they still carry a high risk of side effects. The safest way to lose weight is still to eat less and exercise more.
No pain, no gain, so they say. Losing weight does not have any shortcuts. So before taking any weight loss supplements, it is best to consult an expert so you can make a more informed decision.