Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are a family of at least 28 isomers of linoleic acid found especially in meat and dairy products.They have been shown to possess anti-tumor capabilities as well as improving lean tissue percentage (%). Some studies of CLA in human diets show that it may reduce body fat, especially abdominal fat. A maximum reduction in body fat was achieved with a daily dose of 3.4g(1) .

A very recently concluded study (Feb 2009) was conducted to determine if CLA when taken with both whey protein and creatine, resulted inimproved strength gains in heavy resistance training athletes(2) . Over a 5 week period 69 strength-training athletes were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups ( a cross-over random double-blind study). The results showed that the subjects that consumed whey protein, creatine monohydrate, and CLA had statistically significant improvements in both strength and lean-tissue gains over the control groups.

(1)Curr. Opin. Lipidol. 13 (3): 261–6. doi: Banni S (June 2002). Conjugated linoleic acid metabolism
(2) Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2009 Feb;19(1):79-96 Conjugated linoleic acid combined with creatine monohydrate and whey protein supplementation during strength training.