Frequency of Use, Information and Perceptions of Conjugated Linoleic Acid By: Kimberly Tippetts Abstract Extensive research has been conducted in both animal and human models, which demonstrate the efficacy of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) as both a weight loss and a lean body mass dietary supplement. Conversely, very little research has been conducted concerning the practical human application of CLA, (i.e. the frequency of supplementation, information individuals possess, perceptions about, and general experiences people have had with CLA). The purpose of this study was to gather a limited amount of applicable information to begin to fill the noticeable information void. A sixteen statement confidential online survey was provided for a number of participants to share their opinions and understanding of CLA. The survey results showed that while only a small population of survey participants had general information about CLA, a larger percentage of participants indicated that they would both use and/ or recommend the use CLA for lean body mass gain more than they would for weight loss. Based on this finding, it would be beneficial to conduct further product research amongst a narrower sample population such as bodybuilders. 1 Methods An invitation to participate in a study regarding the use of CLA was made to over 400 individuals. Sample size was derived from eight states, recruited by means of verbal request, promotional handout, text message, email invitation or Facebook request (see Appendix A). Of the 400+ people notified of the survey, over half were associated with the fitness industry. Of those notified, 131 healthy adults between the ages of 18-65 volunteered to take part. Participants of the survey were asked to classify themselves into one of five categories, which included: a person who likes to workout, a fitness instructor, a personal trainer, a bodybuilder or none of the above. The first category, a person who likes to workout, was created based on the likelihood that the person who is exercising with the intent to lose weight or gain lean body mass may potentially supplement with CLA. The second and third categories, fitness instructor and personal trainer, were specifically included in the survey because they are frequently asked for nutritional advice on ways to lose weight or gain lean body mass. The fourth category, bodybuilder, was included in the survey based on the results of primary research conducted on numerous bodybuilding websites. These primary research results found that daily supplementation of CLA was recommended. The final category available for participants was none of the above, indicating that they did not exercise nor were they involved in the fitness industry. The survey followed the Likert style and consisted of sixteen statements (see Appendix B). The statements were designed to determine if participants previously 2 supplemented with CLA, why they had supplemented with CLA and if they would recommend CLA to others. The survey was posted online (see Appendix C) for four weeks. Once a volunteer accessed the survey, basic instructions appeared at the top of the page. The instructions read: “This survey is available to any healthy adult between the ages of 18-65. Please take a few minutes to read through the following questions and answer them as honestly as you are able. If you strongly agree or agree to questions 7 and 12, please include a short response in the space provided.” By continuing with the survey, the volunteer agreed that they were healthy, between the ages of 18-65 and providing their honest answer to each statement. The survey generally took respondents two minutes or less. Individual results were recorded (see Appendix D) and compiled (see Appendix E). 3 Introduction The fitness and supplement industries both promote CLA for its capabilities of increasing weight loss and lean body mass. They both claim that it can improve body composition by increasing metabolic rate and enhancing muscle growth. One article claimed that taking CLA would make losing weight and body fat simpler (Trend Statement Staff, 2013). This same article suggested that CLA is able to turn fat into lean muscle mass (Trend Statement Staff, 2013). This is a false statement since it is impossible to change fat into lean muscle tissue, you can however replace one with the other. An article published by the Dr. Oz Show claimed that CLA shrinks fat cells in the abdominal region by assisting the process of cells releasing fat (The Dr. Oz Show Staff, 2013). It appears that these industries are taking the positive results from both human and animal studies and comingling them to sell CLA to the general public. Because of these flawed claims a survey was created and conducted to uncover what information and perceptions users have about CLA. The information a person possesses regarding CLA may lead to questions regarding individual effectiveness compared to potential health risks associated with the use of CLA. The answers to these questions may impact individual use. Once perceptions are formed, users will decide whether or not to supplement with CLA, which will in turn create personal experiences. Once a person gains experiences with CLA, they will have first hand personal information. There has been a great deal of research conducted on the efficacy of CLA when used for weight loss or lean body mass gain both in humans and in animals. However, not much 4 research has been conducted regarding the frequency of use, information individuals possess or perceptions people have regarding the use of CLA as a dietary supplement. Conjugated Linoleic Acid refers to a family of geometric and positional isomers of the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (cis-9, cis-12, octadecadienoic acid). Geometric isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but are different geometric structures Positional isomers are molecules that have identical substituents (functional groups) with different bonding locations. Linoleic acid is an 18-carbon (“octa-deca”) fatty acid chain containing double bonds on the 9 and 12 carbons separated by two single bonds (Kelly, 2001). CLA is formed when chemical reactions shift the locations of one or two of the double bonds in a way that the bonds are no longer separated by two single bonds. Several dozen CLA isomers may result depending on which double bonds are relocated and the resultant isomeric reconfigurations (Kelly, 2001). CLA is polyunsaturated (a carbon chain that contains multiple double bonds between carbon atoms) and conjugated (joined together) by having two double bonds, without an intervening carbon atom. The more common forms have double bonds located between carbons 8 and 10, 9 and10 and 12 or 11 and 13. These bonds may occur as geometric isomers in a cis (on the same side of the carbon-carbon double bond) or trans (opposite side of the carbon-carbon double bond) configuration. 5 Figure 1. CLA isomers cis-9 (c9), trans-11 (t11) and trans- 10 (t10), cis-12 (c12) (“Conjugated Linoleic Acid”, 2013). There are several natural dietary sources containing CLA. Dietary amounts range from 0.9 milligrams (mg) up to 137 (mg) per gram of fat. Small amounts are found in shrimp (0.9 mg), olive oil (2.7 mg), peanut butter (3.2 mg) and dairy products such as yogurt (11-17 mg), butter (54 mg) and homogenized milk (92 mg). Larger amounts are found in ruminant meats such as ground beef (130 mg) and lamb (137 mg) or from enhanced foods and supplements. The predominate CLA isomer people consume in foods such as beef and dairy is cis-9, trans-11 (Churruca, Fernandez-Quintela, Portillo, 2008). It has been proven that CLA levels in meats can be increased by means of cooking (Fragakis & Thomson, 2007). CLA is considered to be a non-essential fatty acid, meaning that the human body is able to produce an adequate amount for its needs; so consuming dietary sources is unnecessary. Because it is non-essential, there are no Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) recommendations for CLA at this time. Dietary supplement manufactures recommend taking between one-four grams of CLA per day (g/d). Scientific studies researched for this project used CLA in various ranges from 3.4 g/d (Chen, S. et al, 2012) to five g/d (Pinkoski, C. et al, 2006). 6 CLA was accidently discovered in 1979 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison by Dr. Michael Pariza. A study conducted by Dr. Pariza discovered that mice treated with a beef extract applied topically to their skin, developed fewer tumors when exposed to strong chemicals than those mice not treated with same topical treatment (Ha Y, Grimm N, Pariza M. 1987). The term CLA was not coined until 1987 when CLA was discovered to display anti-carcinogenic (a substance that inhibits the development of cancer) activities when topically applied to the skin of mice (Ha Y, Grimm N, Pariza M. 1987 & Pariza, 1987). Further studies were then conducted on animals to test for various effects the isomers may have on body composition (such as weight loss and lean body mass gain), immune function, reduction of atherosclerosis and anti-catabolic and anabolic effects. In 2008, CLA was given a Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) status by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in foods such as fluid milk, yogurt, fruit juices, soymilk and nutritional bars. CLA is touted as an ergogenic aid (a substance that can be ingested to enhance high-intensity exercise) in the fitness industry to increase weight loss and lean body mass. The two most common claims made are the ability to assist with weight reduction from the t10, c12 isomer and the ability of the c9, t11 isomer to increase the quantity of lean body mass (Park, Y.