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Conjugated Linoleic Acid Dosing

For those who want to reduce their body fat by using conjugated linoleic acid, dosing guidelines are unknown at this time. In studies that looked at using this product for weight loss, daily doses of 2 grams to 7 grams of conjugated linoleic acid were used. There is some evidence that suggests using more than 3.4 grams per day of conjugated linoleic acid is not likely to provide any additional benefit.

 

Conjugated Linoleic Acid Dosing: An Introduction

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a fatty acid that is found in some meat, dairy products, and in some supplements. It is difficult to recommend a safe and effective conjugated linoleic acid dosage. For medications, the manufacturers conduct studies to carefully and systematically determine the range of doses that are both safe and effective. However, for herbs and supplements (such as conjugated linoleic acid), these studies are not required, so little is known about the proper dose for such products.
 
In studies of conjugated linoleic acid for weight loss, conjugated linoleic acid doses of 2 grams to 7 grams per day have been used. There is some evidence that increasing the conjugated linoleic acid dosage past 3.4 grams per day is not likely to provide any additional benefit.
 

Conjugated Linoleic Acid Dosing: Final Thoughts

If you decide to use a conjugated linoleic acid supplement, it is important to understand that what you see on the label may not reflect what is in the bottle. For example, some herbal supplements have been found to be contaminated with heavy metals or prescription drugs, and some have been found to have much more or much less of the featured ingredient than their label states.
 
Therefore, make sure the maker of your conjugated linoleic acid is a trusted and reputable manufacturer. It is a good sign if a manufacturer abides by the rules of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). It is also a good sign if a product has the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) seal, which means that the product has been independently tested and shown to contain the correct ingredients in the amounts listed on the label. Your pharmacist is a good resource for information about which manufacturers are most reputable.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;