One of the hot topics around the Costhetics virtual water cooler this week is CLA (Coagulated Linoleic Acid) Safflower Oil.
It’s available in supplement form and gaining interest here in Australia. Controversial health figure Dr Oz is quoted as saying:
“There’s a new supplement that will help you lose inches off your waist without diet and exercise.”
With what we know about cortisol, stress, and excess fat around the middle, it seemed hard to believe that a nutritional supplement could be the answer. That’s when we got out our magnifying glass and Sherlock Holmes hat to investigate. Here’s what we found.
The Pros & Cons of the CLA Safflower Oil Diet
Studies have shown that both Safflower Oil and Coagulated Linoleic Acid can be beneficial to weight loss. As reported by Livestrong.com:
- A small study published in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” found that participants who added safflower oil to their diets did not lose weight, but did reduce abdominal fat while increasing their lean body mass.
- Another small study found that while subjects who ingested conjugated linoleic acid lost weight, those who consumed safflower oil instead did not shed kilo’s.
Benefits attributed to CLA Safflower Oil include:
- Decreased appetite
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Better blood sugar control
- Improved cell health thanks to antioxidant properties of safflower oil
- Improve skin health
A study of CLA Safflower oil showed that just two tablespoons daily of seed-derived, high-oleic safflower oil can lower LDL cholesterol levels in as little as sixteen weeks. This is in addition to its ability to reduce abdominal fat and increase muscle tissues. It’s not all good news about this diet, however. Negatives associated with CLA Safflower Oil supplements include:
- Safflower oil derived from flowers is an omega-6 fatty acid, associated with an increased risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.
- Can cause diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal distress.
- CLA has been shown to negatively affect glucose metabolism and insulin resistance.
The decision around the water cooler at Costhetics was this: while CLA Safflower Oil does show promise as a weight-loss supplement, there is not yet enough solid, scientific evidence to support its benefit claims.
Don’t worry, though. We’ve found some proven techniques that we know can help you shed extra kilos.
4 Simple Tricks for Weight Loss & Maintenance
FOC (Friend of Costhetics) Melanie McGrice is a well-respected author, speaker and an Advanced, Accredited, Practicing Dietitian, one of the few dietitians in Australia to earn that distinction. We asked her to share her best tips for losing weight and keeping it off so that we could share them with you.
Here are her top three picks:
- Make Moderation Your Mantra – Eating plans based on deprivation are doomed to failure. Eat what you like, but eat in moderation.
- Use Your Common Sense – It makes sense that fresh, natural food is healthier than anything that has been canned, frozen, or processed. Fresh fruits and vegetables should always be on your shopping list.
- Make Water Your Go-to Appetizer – Enjoy a large glass of water before you dine to reduce the risk of overeating and increase your chance of staying slim, hydrated, and healthy.
Stay healthy!