Conjugated Linoleic Acid
14 benefits mapped to clinical evidence across supplements.
Dose per serving from products
191 products in our catalogue print how much Conjugated Linoleic Acid a serving holds.
Most common: 1 g to 2.5 g, 30% of 191 products.
| Dose per serving | Products |
|---|---|
| 25 mg or less | 10 |
| 25 mg to 50 mg | 6 |
| 50 mg to 100 mg | 8 |
| 100 mg to 250 mg | 22 |
| 250 mg to 500 mg | 25 |
| 500 mg to 1 g | 54 |
| 1 g to 2.5 g | 58 |
| over 2.5 g | 8 |
Dose per serving from research
82 study groups in 65 studies say how much Conjugated Linoleic Acid participants took a day.
These are the doses the studies gave. They are not a recommendation.
Most common: 2.5 g to 5 g, 62% of 82 study groups.
| Daily dose | Study groups |
|---|---|
| 1 g or less | 2 |
| 1 g to 2.5 g | 16 |
| 2.5 g to 5 g | 51 |
| 5 g to 10 g | 10 |
| over 10 g | 3 |
Commonly used together
11 of 81 study groups took Conjugated Linoleic Acid with something else. Shown: what 3 or more different studies gave.
What was given together, not what works together.
| Taken with | Study groups |
|---|---|
| Vitamin E | 3 |
Benefit Evidence
Research sources
Body composition (20)
- Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in humans--metabolic effects
PubMed ID: 11592727
12‑week RCT (4.2 g/day) produced a clear ≈3.8% reduction in percent body fat—strong direct evidence for improved composition.
- Supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid for 24 months is well tolerated by and reduces body fat mass in healthy, overweight humans
PubMed ID: 15795434
2‑year RCT (3.4 g/day) reduced body fat mass—large, long-term trial supporting composition benefit.
- Body Fat Changes and Liver Safety in Obese and Overweight Women Supplemented with Conjugated Linoleic Acid: A 12-Week Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
PubMed ID: 32560516
12‑week RCT (3 g/day) in overweight/obese women reduced total and visceral fat—robust evidence for improved composition.
- The effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation after weight loss on body weight regain, body composition, and resting metabolic rate in overweight subjects
PubMed ID: 12821971
After weight loss, CLA modestly increased regained fat-free mass (direct human evidence).
- The effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation during resistance training
PubMed ID: 16531905
During resistance training CLA produced small but significant lean mass gains and reduced muscle breakdown markers—direct human evidence.
- Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese humans
PubMed ID: 11110851
Dose-response RCT in overweight/obese adults: ≥3.4 g/day CLA reduced body fat mass (significant), indicating improved body composition.
- Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 y reduces body fat mass in healthy overweight humans
PubMed ID: 15159244
Large one-year RCT: significant reductions in body fat and increases in lean mass vs placebo (strong support).
- Cumulative effects of conjugated linoleic acid and exercise on endurance development, body composition, serum leptin and insulin levels
PubMed ID: 17119522
Young women: CLA (3.6 g/d) ± exercise reduced body fat and lowered glucose; combined exercise+CLA had largest effect.
- Six months supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid induces regional-specific fat mass decreases in overweight and obese
PubMed ID: 17313718
Large 6-month RCT in overweight/obese adults showed modest but significant reductions in total and regional fat and small lean mass increase.
- Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for twelve weeks increases lean body mass in obese humans
PubMed ID: 17449580
Higher-dose CLA raised lean body mass (+0.64 kg) in obese humans over 12 weeks, though with adverse inflammatory and HDL changes.
- Effect of a conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acid mixture on body composition and adiponectin
PubMed ID: 18356842
CLA+n-3 increased fat-free mass (+2.4%) and adiponectin in younger obese men (group-specific benefit).
- Conjugated linoleic acid combined with creatine monohydrate and whey protein supplementation during strength training
PubMed ID: 19403955
Supplement mix including CLA produced larger lean-tissue mass gains during resistance training, but CLA was coadministered with creatine and whey (confounded).
- Conjugated linoleic acids reduce body fat in healthy postmenopausal women
PubMed ID: 19494028
16‑week RCT in postmenopausal women: modest but significant reductions in total and lower‑body fat with CLA mixture — direct evidence for improved body composition.
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on body fat accretion in overweight or obese children
PubMed ID: 20200257
Pediatric RCT reduced fat gain and attenuated BMI increase over ~7 months — supports effect on body composition (but with safety concerns).
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on weight loss and body fat composition in a Chinese population
PubMed ID: 22261578
12‑week RCT in overweight Chinese adults reduced weight, BMI and fat mass — good clinical support for body‑composition benefit.
- Effect of corn dried distillers grains with solubles, conjugated linoleic acid, and ractopamine (paylean) on growth performance and fat characteristics of late finishing pigs
PubMed ID: 23148242
Large pig trial reported increased lean meat percentage—strong animal evidence for lean accrual.
- Effects of milk supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid on weight control and body composition in healthy overweight people
PubMed ID: 24506387
24‑week randomized human trial showed modest but significant reductions in total fat mass (DXA) and waist circumference.
- Supplementation with conjugated linoeic acid decreases pig back fat deposition by inducing adipocyte apoptosis
PubMed ID: 24969229
Pig study showed marked reductions in back fat and mechanistic adipocyte apoptosis—strong preclinical body-composition signal.
- The Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation on Body Composition, Serum Insulin and Leptin in Obese Adults
PubMed ID: 31256599
Obese-adult RCT (3 g/day for 12 wks) reduced body fat mass/percentage and trunk fat — clear body-composition benefit.
- Conjugated linoleic acid supplements preserve muscle in high-body-fat adults: A double-blind, randomized, placebo trial
PubMed ID: 32684362
RCT in adults with high body fat showed CLA preserved/increased trunk muscle mass, especially in adherent participants.
Weight management (17)
- Effect of corn dried distillers grains with solubles, conjugated linoleic acid, and ractopamine (paylean) on growth performance and fat characteristics of late finishing pigs
PubMed ID: 23148242
Improved growth efficiency and higher lean percentage in pigs imply body-composition/weight effects (animal data).
- Supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid for 24 months is well tolerated by and reduces body fat mass in healthy, overweight humans
PubMed ID: 15795434
Two‑year RCT showed reductions in body-fat mass—solid long-term evidence for weight/fat management (mass effect > weight change).
- Body Fat Changes and Liver Safety in Obese and Overweight Women Supplemented with Conjugated Linoleic Acid: A 12-Week Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
PubMed ID: 32560516
12‑week RCT (3 g/day) in overweight/obese women reduced total and visceral fat and slightly reduced weight—strong support for weight/fat management.
- The effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation during resistance training
PubMed ID: 16531905
During resistance training CLA gave small increases in lean mass and modest fat loss—supports adjunctive weight/body-composition management.
- Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese humans
PubMed ID: 11110851
Randomized dose-response trial in overweight/obese adults: CLA (≥3.4 g/day) reduced body-fat mass versus placebo—supports weight management.
- Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in humans--metabolic effects
PubMed ID: 11592727
12‑week RCT reduced percent body fat though body weight was unchanged—supports weight-management via body-composition improvement.
- Conjugated linoleic acids reduce body fat in healthy postmenopausal women
PubMed ID: 19494028
Postmenopausal RCT showed modest reductions in total and lower‑body fat mass over 16 weeks — supportive for weight management.
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on body fat accretion in overweight or obese children
PubMed ID: 20200257
Children given CLA (~3 g/d) for ~7 months had attenuated fat and BMI gain — supports weight‑management but raises pediatric safety concerns.
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on weight loss and body fat composition in a Chinese population
PubMed ID: 22261578
12‑week RCT in overweight Chinese adults showed significant reductions in body weight, BMI and fat mass — solid clinical support for weight‑management benefit.
- Effects of milk supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid on weight control and body composition in healthy overweight people
PubMed ID: 24506387
24‑week randomized human trial showed modest but significant weight and fat-mass reductions with 3 g/day CLA.
- Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 y reduces body fat mass in healthy overweight humans
PubMed ID: 15159244
Year-long RCT reduced body fat and increased lean mass — supports weight (composition) management.
- Conjugated linoleic acid supplements preserve muscle in high-body-fat adults: A double-blind, randomized, placebo trial
PubMed ID: 32684362
CLA helped preserve/increase trunk muscle mass in high-adherence subjects, supportive of favorable body composition in weight programs.
- The Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation on Body Composition, Serum Insulin and Leptin in Obese Adults
PubMed ID: 31256599
RCT showed reductions in body fat measures and improved metabolic markers although weight/BMI unchanged.
- Supplementation with conjugated linoeic acid decreases pig back fat deposition by inducing adipocyte apoptosis
PubMed ID: 24969229
Pig study produced pronounced fat loss and reduced finished body weight—strong preclinical support for fat‑loss potential.
- Cumulative effects of conjugated linoleic acid and exercise on endurance development, body composition, serum leptin and insulin levels
PubMed ID: 17119522
CLA (especially combined with exercise) reduced body fat in young women, supporting weight-management efforts.
- Six months supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid induces regional-specific fat mass decreases in overweight and obese
PubMed ID: 17313718
6-month RCT in overweight/obese adults produced modest total fat loss (−3.4% at 6 months) and small lean mass gain.
- Comparison of dietary conjugated linoleic acid with safflower oil on body composition in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus
PubMed ID: 19535429
Obese postmenopausal women with T2DM lost BMI and total adipose mass over 16-week CLA supplementation (randomized crossover).
Fat burn (17)
- Supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid for 24 months is well tolerated by and reduces body fat mass in healthy, overweight humans
PubMed ID: 15795434
Two‑year RCT (3.4 g/day) decreased body-fat mass—strong long‑term evidence.
- The Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation on Body Composition, Serum Insulin and Leptin in Obese Adults
PubMed ID: 31256599
Well-conducted RCT (3 g/day for 12 weeks) documented reductions in body fat mass, body fat %, and trunk fat.
- Supplementation with conjugated linoeic acid decreases pig back fat deposition by inducing adipocyte apoptosis
PubMed ID: 24969229
Pigs fed CLA showed dose‑dependent, substantial reductions in back fat and mechanistic apoptosis evidence—strong preclinical fat‑loss signal.
- Effects of milk supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid on weight control and body composition in healthy overweight people
PubMed ID: 24506387
Human RCT (24 weeks, 3 g/day) produced statistically significant decreases in total fat mass by DXA.
- Effect of corn dried distillers grains with solubles, conjugated linoleic acid, and ractopamine (paylean) on growth performance and fat characteristics of late finishing pigs
PubMed ID: 23148242
Large finishing‑pig trial increased lean percent and modified carcass fat (animal evidence of fat reduction/redistribution).
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on weight loss and body fat composition in a Chinese population
PubMed ID: 22261578
12‑week RCT in overweight Chinese adults: significant reductions in weight and total fat mass — robust support for fat reduction.
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on body fat accretion in overweight or obese children
PubMed ID: 20200257
Pediatric RCT attenuated fat gain over ~7 months compared with placebo — supports effect on fat accumulation (but with safety issues).
- Conjugated linoleic acids reduce body fat in healthy postmenopausal women
PubMed ID: 19494028
Postmenopausal RCT: total fat mass −4% and lower‑body fat −7% vs control over 16 weeks — clear fat‑reduction evidence.
- Comparison of dietary conjugated linoleic acid with safflower oil on body composition in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus
PubMed ID: 19535429
Obese postmenopausal diabetic women lost total adipose mass in a randomized crossover CLA trial.
- Effects of milk supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12) on body composition and metabolic syndrome components
PubMed ID: 17623486
3 g/day CLA reduced total fat mass in overweight (BMI ≤30) subgroup by ~2%.
- Six months supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid induces regional-specific fat mass decreases in overweight and obese
PubMed ID: 17313718
6-month trial demonstrated modest but statistically significant reductions in total body fat and regional leg fat versus placebo.
- Cumulative effects of conjugated linoleic acid and exercise on endurance development, body composition, serum leptin and insulin levels
PubMed ID: 17119522
Reduced body fat in young women; additive with exercise.
- Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 y reduces body fat mass in healthy overweight humans
PubMed ID: 15159244
Large one-year trial showed significant reductions in body fat (strong evidence).
- Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in humans--metabolic effects
PubMed ID: 11592727
12‑week RCT (4.2 g/day) produced a notable ~3.8% decrease in percent body fat—strong evidence for reduced body fat.
- Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese humans
PubMed ID: 11110851
Well-powered RCT: ≥3.4 g/day CLA reduced body-fat mass in overweight/obese adults—strongest human evidence for fat reduction.
- The effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation during resistance training
PubMed ID: 16531905
Resistance-training trial showed modest fat loss with CLA versus placebo—supportive human evidence.
- Body Fat Changes and Liver Safety in Obese and Overweight Women Supplemented with Conjugated Linoleic Acid: A 12-Week Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
PubMed ID: 32560516
12‑week RCT (3 g/day) reduced total and visceral adipose tissue in overweight/obese women—robust support.
Cholesterol (6)
- Vaccenic acid and trans fatty acid isomers from partially hydrogenated oil both adversely affect LDL cholesterol: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 26561632
Controlled human feeding: c9,t11‑CLA lowered triacylglycerol (clear human evidence); vaccenic acid raised LDL (nuanced).
- Supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid for 24 months is well tolerated by and reduces body fat mass in healthy, overweight humans
PubMed ID: 15795434
2‑year RCT reported some favorable lipid changes (total/LDL reduced) alongside body-fat loss.
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation Suppresses the De Novo Lipogenesis in Adults With High Body Fat: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
PubMed ID: 41169023
12-week RCT in high-body-fat adults altered fatty-acid markers of DNL with correlations to triglycerides and LDL-C (metabolic link to lipids).
- CLA supplementation and aerobic exercise lower blood triacylglycerol, but have no effect on peak oxygen uptake or cardiorespiratory fatigue thresholds
PubMed ID: 25034667
Young men trial reported lower serum triglycerides with CLA plus aerobic training (human data).
- Sheep cheese naturally enriched in α-linolenic, conjugated linoleic and vaccenic acids improves the lipid profile and reduces anandamide in the plasma of hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 22917075
Human RCT: naturally CLA/ALA/VA-enriched cheese lowered LDL cholesterol by ~7% (direct human evidence).
- Conjugated linoleic acid improves glycemic response, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 27586548
NAFLD trial reported marked triglyceride and LDL/HDL‑ratio improvements (in context of weight‑loss diet and vitamin E).
Heart health (6)
- Sheep cheese naturally enriched in α-linolenic, conjugated linoleic and vaccenic acids improves the lipid profile and reduces anandamide in the plasma of hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 22917075
Human crossover: enriched sheep cheese decreased LDL (cardio-relevant lipid improvement).
- Calcium plus linoleic acid therapy for pregnancy-induced hypertension
PubMed ID: 16243339
High-risk pregnant women given calcium+CLA had much lower pregnancy-induced hypertension and improved endothelial function (beneficial vascular effects; combined supplement).
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acid, vitamin E and their combination on lipid profiles and blood pressure of Iranian adults with active rheumatoid arthritis
PubMed ID: 19337555
RA trial (2 g/day CLA) produced clinically meaningful reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (~8% each).
- Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation enhances antihypertensive effect of ramipril in Chinese patients with obesity-related hypertension
PubMed ID: 19300423
Obese hypertensive patients on ramipril: adding CLA further lowered systolic/diastolic BP and favorably altered adipokines — direct clinically relevant cardiovascular benefit.
- Effect of supplementation with an 80:20 cis9,trans11 conjugated linoleic acid blend on the human platelet proteome
PubMed ID: 22648731
Human RCT altered platelet proteins implicated in clotting/adhesion—mechanistic evidence relevant to cardiovascular risk.
- Vaccenic acid and trans fatty acid isomers from partially hydrogenated oil both adversely affect LDL cholesterol: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 26561632
Human feeding study shows c9,t11‑CLA lowers triglycerides (potentially beneficial) while vaccenic acid raised LDL (adverse), so mixed cardiovascular implications.
Metabolism (4)
- The effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation after weight loss on body weight regain, body composition, and resting metabolic rate in overweight subjects
PubMed ID: 12821971
Post-weight-loss trial: CLA increased resting metabolic rate (meaningful metabolic boost).
- Daily intake of conjugated linoleic acid-enriched yoghurts: effects on energy metabolism and adipose tissue gene expression in healthy subjects
PubMed ID: 17298695
Raised basal energy expenditure per kg FFM (~3.9%) despite no fat loss over 14 weeks.
- Effect of corn dried distillers grains with solubles, conjugated linoleic acid, and ractopamine (paylean) on growth performance and fat characteristics of late finishing pigs
PubMed ID: 23148242
Large pig trial showed improved ADG and gain:feed, indicating metabolic/efficiency effects (animal data).
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation Suppresses the De Novo Lipogenesis in Adults With High Body Fat: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
PubMed ID: 41169023
Human RCT showed suppression of de novo lipogenesis markers (C16:1n7, C18:1n9) consistent with metabolic shifting.
Inflammation (5)
- Dietary conjugated linoleic acid preserves pancreatic function and reduces inflammatory markers in obese, insulin-resistant rats
PubMed ID: 17161237
Obese rats showed reduced adipose TNFα mRNA/protein and lower systemic haptoglobin with CLA—strong anti-inflammatory effects in animal model.
- The effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on the nutritional status of COPD patients
PubMed ID: 27843307
COPD RCT produced a significant reduction in serum IL‑1β (clear anti-inflammatory biomarker change).
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on inflammatory factors and matrix metalloproteinase enzymes in rectal cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy
PubMed ID: 23632235
Randomized human pilot showed significant reductions in TNF‑α, hsCRP, and MMP‑9 after 6 weeks of CLA (clinical biomarker evidence).
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acids, vitamin E and their combination on the clinical outcome of Iranian adults with active rheumatoid arthritis
PubMed ID: 20374312
RA trial reduced disease activity and symptoms (inflammatory autoimmune disease) — strong evidence of anti‑inflammatory/clinical benefit in RA patients.
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acid, vitamin E and their combination on lipid profiles and blood pressure of Iranian adults with active rheumatoid arthritis
PubMed ID: 19337555
RA patients had reduced ESR after 12 weeks of 2 g/day CLA, indicating an anti-inflammatory effect in a clinical population.
Blood sugar (5)
- The Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation on Body Composition, Serum Insulin and Leptin in Obese Adults
PubMed ID: 31256599
Obese-adult RCT showed decreased fasting glucose and HOMA‑IR after 12 weeks of CLA (meaningful glycemic improvements).
- Dietary conjugated linoleic acid preserves pancreatic function and reduces inflammatory markers in obese, insulin-resistant rats
PubMed ID: 17161237
Obese insulin-resistant rats fed CLA showed improved oral glucose tolerance, lower insulinemia, and preserved pancreatic islet health (strong animal evidence).
- Conjugated linoleic acid versus high-oleic acid sunflower oil: effects on energy metabolism, glucose tolerance, blood lipids, appetite and body composition in regularly exercising individuals
PubMed ID: 17381964
In exercising non-obese adults CLA reduced mean plasma insulin during OGTT (noted especially in women) and attenuated NEFA response.
- Cumulative effects of conjugated linoleic acid and exercise on endurance development, body composition, serum leptin and insulin levels
PubMed ID: 17119522
CLA (with exercise) lowered serum glucose in young women, supporting glycemic benefits.
- Conjugated linoleic acid improves glycemic response, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 27586548
In obese NAFLD patients adding CLA improved HbA1c by ~0.5%—meaningful glycemic improvement though confounded by diet/vitamin E.
Immune support (3)
- The effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on the nutritional status of COPD patients
PubMed ID: 27843307
COPD RCT showed significant IL‑1β reduction with CLA, indicating anti‑inflammatory/immunomodulatory activity.
- Immunological and metabolic effects of cis-9, trans-11-conjugated linoleic acid in subjects with birch pollen allergy
PubMed ID: 18167173
In allergic subjects, c9,t11 CLA reduced some symptoms and lowered pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-5).
- Effect of CLA on performance and immune response of weanling piglets
PubMed ID: 22328727
Weanling pig trial increased anti-BSA IgG titers (humoral immunity) showing immunomodulation in animals.
Appetite suppression (1)
- The effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on the nutritional status of COPD patients
PubMed ID: 27843307
COPD patients taking CLA reported increased appetite and caloric/macronutrient intake (clinically relevant appetite effect).
Joint comfort (1)
- Effect of conjugated linoleic acids, vitamin E and their combination on the clinical outcome of Iranian adults with active rheumatoid arthritis
PubMed ID: 20374312
Randomized double-blind trial in active rheumatoid arthritis showed significant improvements in DAS28, pain and morning stiffness after 3 months of CLA — strong direct evidence for joint symptom benefit.
Wellbeing (1)
- Effects of introducing linseed in livestock diet on blood fatty acid composition of consumers of animal products
PubMed ID: 12378041
Human dietary crossover: consuming products from linseed-fed animals increased plasma CLA/ALA and improved n-6/n-3 ratios (biomarker improvement relevant to overall health).
Liver support (1)
- Conjugated linoleic acid improves glycemic response, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 27586548
Obese NAFLD patients adding CLA to a weight-loss program showed glycemic, TG and lipid-ratio improvements—relevant to NAFLD but confounded by diet/vitamin E.
Bone health (1)
- CLA Has a Useful Effect on Bone Markers in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
PubMed ID: 27815799
RA RCT changed bone-turnover markers (telopeptides C, osteocalcin, IGF‑1) in a pattern authors viewed as potentially bone-protective.
Similar by evidence
Supplements the same benefits carry qualifying findings for — a fact about the evidence graph, not a recommendation to swap.
Products with Conjugated Linoleic Acid
Search all394 products whose verified label declares Conjugated Linoleic Acid — not every bottle that mentions it in a title.