Milk Fat Reduces "Belly/Abdominal" Roll

The Scientific Evidence that Supports the Health Claim

Aug 10, 2009

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid, in ruminant animal flesh and their dairy products aren't just strong antioxidants; they also induce abdominal fat loss.

If you're still drinking skim milk and consuming fat-free and low-fat dairy products, because you're afraid of the fats in dairy, you might be missing valuable conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) - an isomer of linoleic acid (a polyunsaturated fat). An isomer is a compound with the same molecular formula with another compound but has a different configuration. It's a unique fatty acid because it is produced by bacteria in the "rumen" of:cattle, sheep, goats,deer, buffalo, bison, alpacas,pronghorm,antelope, camel, etc. The rumen is the first chamber in the alimentary canal of ruminant animals. It serves as the primary site for microbial fermentation of ingested feed. Ruminant animals are mammals that digests plant-based food by initially "softening" the food within the animal's first stomach or rumen.

A study led by Martha Belury, Professor of Nutrition at Ohio State University, showed that isomers of CLA reduced body mass indexes (BMIs) and amount of total body fat without changing lean muscle mass in postmenopausal women after a 16 week period of supplementation.

This cross-over study recruited 55 obese, postmenopausal women (younger than age 70), with body mass indexes (BMIs) of 30 or greater, had type 2 diabetes but were not on insulin. Most have prexisting medical conditions such as high blood pressure, and high serum cholesterol. The supplements were contained in 8 pills and were administered 4 times daily: 2 pills with 3 meals and one at bedtime.

Results showed that CLA supplementation significantly reduced BMI and total body fat by 3.2% - an average of between 2.3 pounds and 3.5 pounds. Thirty-five (35) women completed the 36-week trial. The effect of CLA was detected in the last 8 weeks of each 16-week diet period.The study was published online ahead of print in the June 17 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Other researchers observed similar results. Thoms et al (2001) reported that CLA reduced body fat in exercising humans. Blankson et al (2000) related that CLA reduced body fat mass in overweight and obese humans; while Larsen and colleagues (2003) wrote about the efficacy and safety of CLA for the treatment of obesity.

What the Study Means to You

Although the study used CLA supplements (8g per day), it is possible to replicate similar amounts by consuming CLA-rich foods e.g. full-fat and 2% fat dairy products and meat. This strategy, combined with other beneficial interventions e.g. regular physical activity, a wholesome healthy diet, can promote total body fat loss particularly in the abdominal/truncal area.

Significant Dietary Sources of CLA: Content in Milligrams Per Gram of Fat

B: Meats, Poultry, Fish, and Eggs

References

Belury M et al. "Comparison of dietary CLA with safflower oil on body composition in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus." American J Clinical Nutrition, Published online: June 17, 2009

Raff M et al. " CLA Reduce Body Fat in Healthy Postmenopausal Women" J Nutrition July 1, 2009;139(7):1347-1352

Thom E et al. " CLA reduces body fat in exercising humans" The Journal of International Medical Research September- October 2001;29(5):392-396

Blankson H et al. "CLA reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese humans" Journal of Nutrition, 2000;130(12):2943-2948

Lin H et al. "Survey of the CLA content of Dairy Products" Journal of Dairy Science 1995; 78:2358-2365

The copyright of the article Milk Fat Reduces "Belly/Abdominal" Roll in Healthcare Research is owned by Alicia Richardson. Permission to republish Milk Fat Reduces "Belly/Abdominal" Roll in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.