From the November 2003 issue of Fitness RX

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a popular weight loss supplement, is a fatty acid found in meat, cheese and dairy products. It's one of the hottest fat-burning supplements on the planet. It seems as though every month scientists publish a new study on showing it either breaks down fat or prevents new fat formation.

CLA increases the acitivity of an enzyme called lipoprotien lipase that breaks down fat. Researchers from Cognis corporation found that giving CLA to moderately overweight adults for one year reduced body fat by 9% and increased lean muscle by 2%.

Body compostion measurements were made using DXA-the new "gold standard" of body composition measurement methods. (American Oil and Chemist Society Annual Meeting)