Conjugated linoleic acid
Conjugated linoleic acid has been studied in 14 papers since 2007: 4 trials and 1 observational study in people, 2 in animals, 7 reviews; 1 in the past year. Its furthest trials in people are at phase 2. The newest paper, Feb 11, 2026: “There may be a differential mechanistic impact on colorectal cancer of lactose-containing foods between lactase persistent…”.
14 papers study it17 findingsUpdated
See all 14 papers on conjugated linoleic acid
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 6 independent labs in 3 countries; 8 trials, 2 about aging, 3 with no results posted.
“Compared with the placebo group, the CLA group showed increased trunk muscle mass (MM) (0.6 ± 1.7 vs. -0.3 ± 1.2 kg, P = 0.019)”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 6 independent labs in 3 countries
- 8 trials, 2 about aging, 3 with no results posted
- Funders: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior and others
- 1 of 8 trials sponsored by its developers
- Human trial4
- Humans1
- Animals1
- Model organisms1
Studies in people
2 studies gave conjugated linoleic acid to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
no change: Has no effect on myofibrillar protein synthesis rateCLA: 0.039 ± 0.006%/h vs placebo: 0.040 ± 0.004%/h | Randomized trial8 wk | 32 peopleolder adultsOlder adults; basal, postabsorptive conditions | The American journal of clinical nutrition, Aug 30, 2020 |
up: Increases trunk muscle mass0.6 ± 1.7 vs. -0.3 ± 1.2 kg, P = 0.019 up: Increases total muscle mass | Randomized trial12 weeks | 66 peopleBoth18-45 yearsGeneral population; Chinese adults with elevated body fat percentage | Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD, Jun 8, 2020 |
What did studies of conjugated linoleic acid find?
15Studies of conjugated linoleic acid measured 15 outcomes, among them bone loss, myofibrillar protein synthesis rate and total muscle mass.
Bone loss
downin reviews1
1 study
Bone loss
downin reviews1
Conjugated linoleic acid prevents bone loss (aging).
“Conjugated linoleic acid and glucosamine supplements may prevent bone loss in aging by regulating the RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway”
Reviewaging
Molecular biology reports
Myofibrillar protein synthesis rate
no changein humans1
1 study
Myofibrillar protein synthesis rate
no changein humans1
Conjugated linoleic acid showed no clear effect on myofibrillar protein synthesis rate in humans (basal, postabsorptive conditions) (CLA: 0.039 ± 0.006%/h vs placebo: 0.040 ± 0.004%/h).
“neither Vit D nor CLA nor combined Vit D + CLA supplementation affected the basal myofibrillar protein synthesis rates”
Human trialbasal, postabsorptive conditionsskeletal muscle4000 mg/d8 wk
The American journal of clinical nutrition
Total muscle mass
upin humans1
1 study
Total muscle mass
upin humans1
Conjugated linoleic acid increases total muscle mass in humans (participants with adherence score higher than 0.80).
“Among those with an adherence score higher than 0.80 (n = 56, 87.5%), a greater increase in both total and trunk MM was observed in the CLA group (both P < 0.05)”
Human trialparticipants with adherence score higher than 0.80skeletal muscle3.2 g/day12 weeksn = 56
Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD
Trunk muscle mass
upin humans1
1 study
Trunk muscle mass
upin humans1
Conjugated linoleic acid increases trunk muscle mass in humans (Chinese adults with elevated body fat percentage) (0.6 ± 1.7 vs. -0.3 ± 1.2 kg, P = 0.019).
“Compared with the placebo group, the CLA group showed increased trunk muscle mass (MM) (0.6 ± 1.7 vs. -0.3 ± 1.2 kg, P = 0.019)”
Human trialChinese adults with elevated body fat percentageskeletal muscle3.2 g/day12 weeksn = 66
Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD
Worm size
no changein worms1
1 study
Worm size
no changein worms1
Conjugated linoleic acid showed no clear effect on worm size in worms.
“without altering the worm size, growth rate, and pumping rate of C. elegans”
Model organismsCLA-TG nanoemulsion100 μM
Food chemistry
Brood size
no changein worms1
1 study
Brood size
no changein worms1
Conjugated linoleic acid showed no clear effect on brood size in worms.
“there were no significant effects of CLA on brood size, progeny numbers, and hatchability compared to LA treatment”
Model organisms
Food chemistry
Moving speed
upin worms1
1 study
Moving speed
upin worms1
Conjugated linoleic acid increases moving speed in worms (dependent on aak-2 and sir-2.1).
“CLA significantly increased moving speed and amplitude (the average centroid displacement over the entire track) of wild type worms compared to the LA group”
Model organismsdependent on aak-2 and sir-2.1
Food chemistry
Fat accumulation
downin worms1−29% reduction compared with la-tg
1 study
Fat accumulation
downin worms1−29% reduction compared with la-tg
Conjugated linoleic acid decreases fat accumulation in worms (mediated via sir-2.1) (29% reduction compared with LA-TG).
“100 μM CLA-TG nanoemulsion significantly reduced fat accumulation by 29% compared to linoleic acid (LA)-TG treatment via sir-2.1”
Model organismsmediated via sir-2.1CLA-TG nanoemulsion100 μM
Food chemistry
Oxidative stress and ROS signaling
downin humans1
1 study
Oxidative stress and ROS signaling
downin humans1
Conjugated linoleic acid decreases oxidative stress and ROS signaling in humans.
“CLA decreased oxidative stress and skeletal muscle oxidative damage”
Human trialskeletal muscle6 weeks
GeroScience
Body mass
no changein rats1
1 study
Body mass
no changein rats1
Conjugated linoleic acid showed no clear effect on body mass in rats.
“no significant effects on body mass”
Animals21 days
Liver metabolic changes induced by conjugated linoleic acid in calorie-restricted rats
Archives of endocrinology and metabolism
All 15Fewer
What is conjugated linoleic acid linked with?
2Studies link conjugated linoleic acid with 2 measures: FABP4 and inflammation.
FABP4
downin chickens1
1 study
FABP4
downin chickens1
FABP4 is associated with conjugated linoleic acid in chickens (negative correlation).
“it showed a negative correlation with conjugated linoleic acids (CLA)”
Animalsovary
Poultry science
Inflammation
mixedin reviews1
1 study
Inflammation
mixedin reviews1
Conjugated linoleic acid is associated with inflammation.
“modulate immune and/or inflammatory responses”
Review
Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Potential Health Benefits as a Functional Food Ingredient
Annual review of food science and technology
Has conjugated linoleic acid been tested in people?
2 of 8 about agingYes: 4 trials and 1 observational study in people have been published, and 8 trials are registered.
About aging
Every condition in trials
Phase 2Status unknown2 trials
Phase 2Completed1 trial
Phase 2Status unknown1 trial
Phase 1Terminated1 trial
Phase 1Completed1 trial
Phase 1Completed1 trial
All 10Fewer
Stopped
NCT00951158TerminatedAdvanced solid tumor
Administrative suspension. PI/grant holder transferred to new institution.
Trial sponsors
Company1 trialPhase 2120 people
Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico
1 trialPhase 2104 people
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
2 trialsPhase 128 people
1 trialPhase 148 people
Washington University School of Medicine
1 trial40 people
Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation
1 trial39 people