As a part of their research, the Ohio State University scientists wanted to find out if conjugated linoleic acid, CLA in short, had something to do with lowering the glucose level in process of losing body mass. In 2009, they have conducted a little study, using Safflower oil as a placebo in control group. After their results, safflower oil and weight loss have become subject of the day.
The whole experiment involved fifty five overweight, postmenopausal women with diagnosed type2 diabetes. The experiment took 36 weeks, in three phases. The first one involved taking a small amount of CLA or SAF daily, without any special diet or physical activity, for 16 weeks. The second one was cleaning, or washing their organism. In the third phase they had to take the oil daily for 16 weeks, just like in the first one.
Results were unexpected, at least those concerning SAF. Although only 35 women finished this study, only those using CLA lost their body weight. Women using SAF lost something much more important, they lost belly fat. Their glucose level also became lower, but losing belly fat was the main story.
Women taking SAF lost 6,3 percent of their belly fat, in average. Well, it was a small study only 35 women were involved in till the end. SAF was used as a placebo, the study was actually about the impact of CLA. But the important thing is losing the belly fat.
It has to be said that none of those women taking SAF lost their body weight. Only women taking CLA did. Nevertheless, the results are definitely promising, and deserve the attention. Other similar studies, involving more participants are essential for making conclusions.
To be more precise, CLA reduced body mass index and total adipose mass, but it didn’t have any effect on lean mass. On the other hand, SAF had no influence on reducing body mass or body mass index, but it reduced trunk adipose mass and increased lean mass. Both substances lowered the glucose level in some percentage.
Lowered fasting glucose level and increased level of adiponectin was more important. Adiponectin is a protein that can be found in human body and it is connected with regulation of glucose levels, but also with fatty acids breakdown. They did make some conclusions, but nothing concrete. Both oils can have some significance in glycemic control and body mass control.
The fact is that human body needs good fats in diet to remain healthy. The values of Omega 3 are widely known and researched. Those linoleic acids are containing Omega 6 acids, and people are taking those acids daily in numerous products. Nutritionists agree that people are using too much Omega 6 already.
Vitamin E can be found in most oils. Different products also contain vitamin E. Subjects of this study were all postmenopausal women, all overweight, all with type2 diabetes. The results were gathered once a month, without any special rules, and without control. Based on this, it’s hard to say if safflower oil and weight loss are actually related.
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