CLA or Hydroxycut. do they work?

karissastephens

I bought 2 bottles of CLA a couple months ago and they seem to KIND OF work but im wondering if Hydroxy Cut really works? anyone know or has anyone taken them?

What is the side effects and the results?

sunshineshardz

I used HC for a bit, but my heart was beating too fast so I quit. They work so long as your body can handle them. Try starting with a half dose just to see. Good luck!

SHBoss1673

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/73280-weight-loss-pills?hl=hydroxicut

firepixie

I thought HC was taken of the market awhile ago for causing kidney damage. If they are damaging, they will cause damage whether you take a little or a lot, I would think.

SHBoss1673

I thought HC was taken of the market awhile ago for causing kidney damage. If they are damaging, they will cause damage whether you take a little or a lot, I would think.

there's a new formula.

jennylynn84

I took Hydroxycut back when it had ephedra in it. Of course, now that is illegal because it is SO incredibly damaging. I know they changed the formula and don't include it anymore. I've heard from users that it doesn't work as well now. I have a general distrust of pretty much any diet medication. I mean, they range from the ones like Hyrdroxycut that has a history of using VERY dangerous chemicals, to ones like Alli that cause anal leaking (ew!). So personally I just stick with diet/exercise.

July24Lioness

CLA is natural occurring found mostly in grass fed beef. So, if you ate grass fed buffalo, beefalo or beef, there is natural occurring CLA that will allow you to lose weight without taking any supplements...........

CLA does work at helping with fat loss.

I would not touch Hydroxy cut with a 10 foot pole.


here is some information regarding CLA. I have taken it off and on with success since 2003. I like it because it is natural and our own bodies make it in small amounts.

http://www.eatwild.com/cla.html

Fuhgeddaboudit

Hydroxycut was awful. I actually liked green tea pills. Its just concentrated green tea

vsummers

I tried just about every pill you can think of, some worked, some did not. But as a result of them I now have a thyroid problem and am on daily meds just to keep my thyroid working properly!! I think the best bet is to diet and exercise!! That will leave you with no questions about what it is doing to your body!!! You can do this the healthy way!!!!! :flowerforyou:

karissastephens

Thanks everyone! I am now just going to stick with my CLA pills. They sound a lot healthier and didnt make my heart race or make me feel weird.

sepope

I bought 2 bottles of Hydroxycut CLA and took as directed - along with working out 4-5 x a week for 60 minutes and didn't lose a pound. They don't work.

G3arsBab3

I have been taking Hydroxycut CLA for 2 weeks now and have lost 7lbs with exercising and diet. Before I started taking them I wasn't really losing anything. I saw fast results with the Hydroxycut CLA!! I love them and would recommend them to anyone. I have no side effects whatsoever!!

xvure

Lets have a look at the ingredients in Hydroxycut.

Hydroxycitric acid - Assists in breaking down of carbohydrates (gotta eat more of them to burn more)

Chromium polynicotinate - Used for treating Type 2 Diabetes

Garcinia Cambogia - In Indian traditional medicine, this species was prescribed for edema, delayed menstruation, constipation and intestinal parasites.

Gymnema sylvestre - Another anti-diabetic ingredient

Soy Phospholipids - Reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing HDL

Rhodiola rosea - Used as a natural anti-depressant

Green Tea - Induces thermogenesis and stimulate fat oxidation, boosting the metabolic rate (Our first actual fat burning ingredient)

Caffine - Stimulates the nervous system

White Tea - Immune system enhancer, can also reduce blood pressure

Oolong Tea - No known benefit other than low caffine content




If you want to put this placebo pill in your mouth, go ahead, I've got some magic beans you might like to try too. On the other hand get some far cheaper green tea extract and a can of red bull.

nicehormones

A lady I know had a stroke from taking hydroxycut as the bottle explained to. Just saying.

Diet and exercise works better than that.

twistyann

I've never taken hydroxycut but noticed a difference with CLA.

delineated

Yuk.

RonSwanson66

CLA does work at helping with fat loss.

If you're a rat, maybe. For humans, it does about 1/10 of fsck-all.




Conjugated linoleic acid intake in humans: a systematic review focusing on its effect on body composition, glucose, and lipid metabolism.

Salas-Salvad? J, M?rquez-Sandoval F, Bull? M. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(6):479-88.

Studies performed on different species show that the consumption of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) leads to a loss of fat and total body weight, reduces the plasma concentrations of total and LDL cholesterol, and has an antiinflammatory effect. This article reviews the clinical trials on human beings that evaluate how mixtures of CLA isomers administered as supplements or CLA-enriched products can affect total body weight, body composition, plasma lipid profile, glycemia, insulinemia, insulin sensitivity, lipid oxidation, and inflammation. After analyzing the few studies published to date in reduced samples of healthy humans or patients with overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes, we deduce that there is not enough evidence to show that conjugated linoleic acid has an effect on weight and body composition in humans. However, some of these studies have observed that the administration of various CLA isomers has adverse effects on lipid profile (it decreases HDL cholesterol concentration and increases Lp(a) circulating levels), glucose metabolism (glycemia, insulinemia or insulin sensitivity), lipid oxidation, inflammation, or endothelial function. Therefore, long-term randomized clinical trials, controlled with placebo, need to be made in large samples of patients to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CLA isomers before its indiscriminate use in human beings can be recommended.

---

The only CLA study done on resistance-trained subjects failed to show any effect:

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation during resistance training on body composition, bone density, strength, and selected hematological markers.

Kreider RB, Ferreira MP, Greenwood M, Wilson M, Almada AL. J Strength Cond Res. 2002 Aug;16(3):325-34.

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are essential fatty acids that have been reported in animal studies to decrease catabolism, promote fat loss, increase bone density, enhance immunity, and serve as an antiatherogenic and anticarcinogenic agent. For this reason, CLA has been marketed as a supplement to promote weight loss and general health. CLA has also been heavily marketed to resistance-trained athletes as a supplement that may help lessen catabolism, decrease body fat, and promote greater gains in strength and muscle mass during training. Although basic research is promising, few studies have examined whether CLA supplementation during training enhances training adaptations and/or affects markers of health. This study evaluated whether CLA supplementation during resistance training affects body composition, strength, and/or general markers of catabolism and immunity. In a double-blind and randomized manner, 23 experienced, resistance-trained subjects were matched according to body mass and training volume and randomly assigned to supplement their diet with 9 g;pdd(-1) of an olive oil placebo or 6 g;pdd(-1) of CLA with 3 g;pdd(-1) of fatty acids for 28 days. Prior to and following supplementation, fasting blood samples, total body mass, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) determined body composition, and isotonic bench press and leg press 1 repetition maximums (1RMs) were determined. Results revealed that although some statistical trends were observed with moderate to large effect sizes, CLA supplementation did not significantly affect (p > 0.05) changes in total body mass, fat-free mass, fat mass, percent body fat, bone mass, strength, serum substrates, or general markers of catabolism and immunity during training. These findings indicate that CLA does not appear to possess significant ergogenic value for experienced resistance-trained athletes.

---

CLA has adverse effects on markers of cardiovascular health, without significantly affecting bodycomp:

Treatment with dietary trans10cis12 conjugated linoleic acid causes isomer-specific insulin resistance in obese men with the metabolic syndrome.

Diabetes Care. 2002 Sep;25(9):1516-21. Ris?rus U, Arner P, Brismar K, Vessby B.

OBJECTIVE: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of dietary fatty acids with antiobesity and antidiabetic effects in some animals. The trans10cis12 (t10c12) CLA isomer seems to cause these effects, including improved insulin sensitivity. Whether such isomer-specific effects occur in humans is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether t10c12 CLA or a commercial CLA mixture could improve insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, or body composition in obese men with signs of the metabolic syndrome. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind controlled trial, abdominally obese men (n = 60) were treated with 3.4 g/day CLA (isomer mixture), purified t10c12 CLA, or placebo. Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, serum hormones, lipids, and anthropometry were assessed before and after 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Baseline metabolic status was similar between groups. Unexpectedly, t10c12 CLA increased insulin resistance (19%; P < 0.01) and glycemia (4%; P < 0.001) and reduced HDL cholesterol (-4%; P < 0.01) compared with placebo, whereas body fat, sagittal abdominal diameter, and weight decreased versus baseline, but the difference was not significantly different from placebo. The CLA mixture did not change glucose metabolism, body composition, or weight compared with placebo but lowered HDL cholesterol.(-2%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal important isomer-specific metabolic actions of CLA in abdominally obese humans. A CLA-induced insulin resistance has previously been described only in lipodystrophic mice. Considering the use of CLA-supplements among obese individuals, it is important to clarify the clinical consequences of these results, but they also provide physiological insights into the role of specific dietary fatty acids as modulators of insulin resistance in humans.

---

More on CLA's adverse effects on cardiovascular health parameters, again, without improving bodycomp:

Effects of cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on insulin sensitivity, lipid peroxidation, and proinflammatory markers in obese men.

Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Aug;80(2):279-83. Ris?rus U, Vessby B, Arnl?v J, Basu S.

BACKGROUND: We recently showed that trans-10,cis-12 (t10,c12) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) causes insulin resistance in obese men. However, metabolic effects of the c9,t11 CLA isomer are still unknown in obese men. Because c9,t11 CLA is the predominant CLA isomer in foods and is included in dietary weight-loss products, it is important to conduct randomized controlled studies that use c9,t11 CLA preparations. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of c9,t11 CLA supplementation on insulin sensitivity, body composition, and lipid peroxidation in a group at high risk for cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 25 abdominally obese men received 3 g c9,t11 CLA/d or placebo (olive oil). Before and after 3 mo of supplementation, we assessed insulin sensitivity (hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp), lipid metabolism, body composition, and urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (a major F(2)-isoprostane) and 15-keto-dihydro-prostaglandin F(2alpha), markers of in vivo oxidative stress and inflammation, respectively. RESULTS: All subjects completed the study. Compared with placebo, c9,t11 CLA decreased insulin sensitivity by 15% (P < 0.05) and increased 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) and 15-keto-dihydro-prostaglandin F(2alpha) excretion by 50% (P < 0.01) and 15% (P < 0.05), respectively. The decreased insulin sensitivity was independent of changes in serum lipids, glycemia, body mass index, and body fat but was abolished after adjustment for changes in 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) concentrations. There were no differences between groups in body composition. CONCLUSIONS: A CLA preparation containing the purified c9,t11 CLA isomer increased insulin resistance and lipid peroxidation compared with placebo in obese men. Because c9,t11 CLA occurs in commercial supplements as well as in the diet, the present results should be confirmed in larger studies that also include women.

vperry23

CLA does work at helping with fat loss.

If you're a rat, maybe. For humans, it does about 1/10 of fsck-all.




Conjugated linoleic acid intake in humans: a systematic review focusing on its effect on body composition, glucose, and lipid metabolism.

Salas-Salvad? J, M?rquez-Sandoval F, Bull? M. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(6):479-88.

Studies performed on different species show that the consumption of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) leads to a loss of fat and total body weight, reduces the plasma concentrations of total and LDL cholesterol, and has an antiinflammatory effect. This article reviews the clinical trials on human beings that evaluate how mixtures of CLA isomers administered as supplements or CLA-enriched products can affect total body weight, body composition, plasma lipid profile, glycemia, insulinemia, insulin sensitivity, lipid oxidation, and inflammation. After analyzing the few studies published to date in reduced samples of healthy humans or patients with overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes, we deduce that there is not enough evidence to show that conjugated linoleic acid has an effect on weight and body composition in humans. However, some of these studies have observed that the administration of various CLA isomers has adverse effects on lipid profile (it decreases HDL cholesterol concentration and increases Lp(a) circulating levels), glucose metabolism (glycemia, insulinemia or insulin sensitivity), lipid oxidation, inflammation, or endothelial function. Therefore, long-term randomized clinical trials, controlled with placebo, need to be made in large samples of patients to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CLA isomers before its indiscriminate use in human beings can be recommended.

---

The only CLA study done on resistance-trained subjects failed to show any effect:

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation during resistance training on body composition, bone density, strength, and selected hematological markers.

Kreider RB, Ferreira MP, Greenwood M, Wilson M, Almada AL. J Strength Cond Res. 2002 Aug;16(3):325-34.

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are essential fatty acids that have been reported in animal studies to decrease catabolism, promote fat loss, increase bone density, enhance immunity, and serve as an antiatherogenic and anticarcinogenic agent. For this reason, CLA has been marketed as a supplement to promote weight loss and general health. CLA has also been heavily marketed to resistance-trained athletes as a supplement that may help lessen catabolism, decrease body fat, and promote greater gains in strength and muscle mass during training. Although basic research is promising, few studies have examined whether CLA supplementation during training enhances training adaptations and/or affects markers of health. This study evaluated whether CLA supplementation during resistance training affects body composition, strength, and/or general markers of catabolism and immunity. In a double-blind and randomized manner, 23 experienced, resistance-trained subjects were matched according to body mass and training volume and randomly assigned to supplement their diet with 9 g;pdd(-1) of an olive oil placebo or 6 g;pdd(-1) of CLA with 3 g;pdd(-1) of fatty acids for 28 days. Prior to and following supplementation, fasting blood samples, total body mass, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) determined body composition, and isotonic bench press and leg press 1 repetition maximums (1RMs) were determined. Results revealed that although some statistical trends were observed with moderate to large effect sizes, CLA supplementation did not significantly affect (p > 0.05) changes in total body mass, fat-free mass, fat mass, percent body fat, bone mass, strength, serum substrates, or general markers of catabolism and immunity during training. These findings indicate that CLA does not appear to possess significant ergogenic value for experienced resistance-trained athletes.

---

CLA has adverse effects on markers of cardiovascular health, without significantly affecting bodycomp:

Treatment with dietary trans10cis12 conjugated linoleic acid causes isomer-specific insulin resistance in obese men with the metabolic syndrome.

Diabetes Care. 2002 Sep;25(9):1516-21. Ris?rus U, Arner P, Brismar K, Vessby B.

OBJECTIVE: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of dietary fatty acids with antiobesity and antidiabetic effects in some animals. The trans10cis12 (t10c12) CLA isomer seems to cause these effects, including improved insulin sensitivity. Whether such isomer-specific effects occur in humans is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether t10c12 CLA or a commercial CLA mixture could improve insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, or body composition in obese men with signs of the metabolic syndrome. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind controlled trial, abdominally obese men (n = 60) were treated with 3.4 g/day CLA (isomer mixture), purified t10c12 CLA, or placebo. Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, serum hormones, lipids, and anthropometry were assessed before and after 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Baseline metabolic status was similar between groups. Unexpectedly, t10c12 CLA increased insulin resistance (19%; P < 0.01) and glycemia (4%; P < 0.001) and reduced HDL cholesterol (-4%; P < 0.01) compared with placebo, whereas body fat, sagittal abdominal diameter, and weight decreased versus baseline, but the difference was not significantly different from placebo. The CLA mixture did not change glucose metabolism, body composition, or weight compared with placebo but lowered HDL cholesterol.(-2%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal important isomer-specific metabolic actions of CLA in abdominally obese humans. A CLA-induced insulin resistance has previously been described only in lipodystrophic mice. Considering the use of CLA-supplements among obese individuals, it is important to clarify the clinical consequences of these results, but they also provide physiological insights into the role of specific dietary fatty acids as modulators of insulin resistance in humans.

---

More on CLA's adverse effects on cardiovascular health parameters, again, without improving bodycomp:

Effects of cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on insulin sensitivity, lipid peroxidation, and proinflammatory markers in obese men.

Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Aug;80(2):279-83. Ris?rus U, Vessby B, Arnl?v J, Basu S.

BACKGROUND: We recently showed that trans-10,cis-12 (t10,c12) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) causes insulin resistance in obese men. However, metabolic effects of the c9,t11 CLA isomer are still unknown in obese men. Because c9,t11 CLA is the predominant CLA isomer in foods and is included in dietary weight-loss products, it is important to conduct randomized controlled studies that use c9,t11 CLA preparations. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of c9,t11 CLA supplementation on insulin sensitivity, body composition, and lipid peroxidation in a group at high risk for cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 25 abdominally obese men received 3 g c9,t11 CLA/d or placebo (olive oil). Before and after 3 mo of supplementation, we assessed insulin sensitivity (hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp), lipid metabolism, body composition, and urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (a major F(2)-isoprostane) and 15-keto-dihydro-prostaglandin F(2alpha), markers of in vivo oxidative stress and inflammation, respectively. RESULTS: All subjects completed the study. Compared with placebo, c9,t11 CLA decreased insulin sensitivity by 15% (P < 0.05) and increased 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) and 15-keto-dihydro-prostaglandin F(2alpha) excretion by 50% (P < 0.01) and 15% (P < 0.05), respectively. The decreased insulin sensitivity was independent of changes in serum lipids, glycemia, body mass index, and body fat but was abolished after adjustment for changes in 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) concentrations. There were no differences between groups in body composition. CONCLUSIONS: A CLA preparation containing the purified c9,t11 CLA isomer increased insulin resistance and lipid peroxidation compared with placebo in obese men. Because c9,t11 CLA occurs in commercial supplements as well as in the diet, the present results should be confirmed in larger studies that also include women.

vperry23

I used Hydroxy Cut (with caffeine) in the begining of last year 2011, and lost 17 LBS in 1 month with diet and excersise. I'm now trying the Hydroxycut with CLA, I'll be back in 4 weeks to let you know how this one works for me.

cynhip

I used HC twice last year. They worked for me. I lost about 4 lbs the first time with diet and exercise. And about 6 lbs. the second time.

treetop57

CLA or Hydroxycut. do they work?

Yes, they do exactly what they are designed to do: Make lots of money for the people who sell them. Other than that, who knows.

Fit_Canuck

I'm reminded of a Simpsons episode where Lisa sells Homer a rock that keeps bears away.....

treetop57

It must have worked. Homer never got attacked by bears!

AdamNH79

This is about CLA or Hydroxycut, but what about Lipozene? does this stuff actually work as advertised?

Fit_Canuck

I used HC twice last year. They worked for me. I lost about 4 lbs the first time with diet and exercise. And about 6 lbs. the second time.

I have to ask, do you think eating well and exercising made you lose the 4lbs and the 6lbs? I think it's far more likely than any diet pill.

littlesis412

I have been taking Hydroxycut CLA for 2 weeks now and have lost 7lbs with exercising and diet. Before I started taking them I wasn't really losing anything. I saw fast results with the Hydroxycut CLA!! I love them and would recommend them to anyone. I have no side effects whatsoever!!

I used HC twice last year. They worked for me. I lost about 4 lbs the first time with diet and exercise. And about 6 lbs. the second time.

I'm noticing a trend here.

Minu135

Just want to thank everyone for posting there comments, I get desperate sometimes and think a pill could help me reach my goals faster, but after reading your comments it just reminds me how bad this stuff is for you and I'll continue with my diet and exercise, thank you very much!

BigDaddyBRC

think about this...IF there was some perfect pill that you could take an magically lose weight, wouldn't it be backed by the FDA and allowed to be covered on your medical insurance?

There is no "magic bullet" to weight loss. Why do you think they all say "This product MAY support a weight management or diet program that INCLUDES regular exercise and calorie restricted diet"

And so you know, I supplement my diet with CLA, but not for weight loss. It's benefit is more in staving cancer. Does it help with weight loss, I have seen added benefit in weight loss.

TheDevastator

If you want something to boost your metabolism try a teaspoon of cayenne powder every day.

jennifershoo

Hydroxycut was awful. I actually liked green tea pills. Its just concentrated green tea

Don't forget to take a folic acid supplement because green tea inhibits its absorption, so you need more.

cynhip

I used HC twice last year. They worked for me. I lost about 4 lbs the first time with diet and exercise. And about 6 lbs. the second time.

I have to ask, do you think eating well and exercising made you lose the 4lbs and the 6lbs? I think it's far more likely than any diet pill.

Yes, I think its just the diet and excercise. You are right.