Press Room
October 15, 2007
CLA IN FUNCTIONAL MILK REDUCES BODY FAT SIGNIFICANTLY
New study shows Tonalinâ CLA also effective in functional foods and drinks
The first study to report on the effects of Tonalinâ CLA in a skimmed milk product has shown a significant reduction of body fat mass (BFM) in overweight subjects, indicating that CLA can be beneficial in body weight and fat management whether taken as a functional food or supplement. The researchers noted that subjects lost most of the fat from the trunk (torso) area of the body - good news for consumers aiming to improve both their health and body shape.
Sixty overweight (BMI £30) but otherwise healthy men and women, aged 35 – 65 years, were randomized to a daily intake of 500 ml skimmed milk fortified with 3g Tonalinâ CLA, or a placebo milk, over a twelve week period.
The results showed a significant 3% reduction of BFM in the overweight group taking the milk fortified with Tonalinâ CLA. No significant fat loss was found in the obese volunteers or in either group taking the placebo. The research also found that CLA supplementation was not associated with any adverse effects or clinical changes.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial1, was conducted by a team of Spanish researchers, led by Dr. Amalia Lafuente from the Department of Farmacología y Química Terapéutica, Universidad de Barcelona, and published recently in the British Journal of Nutrition.
In interpreting their results, the authors discussed other published literature on the effects of CLA on body composition including the landmark Gaullier study, 2,3 in which 12 months’ supplementation with Tonalinâ CLA resulted in greater BFM reductions - up to 9%. However, Dr. Lafuente points out: “If the Gaullier study results are extrapolated to those of our shorter study (12 weeks), they coincide with the 3% BFM reduction we observed. Our data indicate that CLA supplementation may be a useful approach to reducing fat mass, which is a prominent cardiovascular risk factor.”
Dr. Doris Bell, who leads the Cognis global research program on Tonalinâ CLA said: “These findings have considerable significance for Tonalinâ CLA, indicating that the ingredient can work as well in a functional food product - a dairy matrix, for example - as it does in a food supplement. The study also re-confirms that the longer term consumption of Tonalinâ CLA is effective, safe and, importantly, does not negatively affect blood lipids or glucose levels. This had been an area of interest for some authorities in the past, but any potential concerns are now entirely dispelled by the overwhelming evidence of 18 clinical studies.
“Pending Novel Food approval, there are clearly huge opportunities for functional food manufacturers to join supplement producers in marketing successful products for healthy fat loss featuring Tonalinâ CLA," concluded Dr. Bell.
1 Laso, N., Bruque, E., Vidal, J., Ros, E., Arnaiz, JA., Carne, X., Vidal, S., Mas, S., Deulofeu, R., Lafuente, A.: Effect of milk supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12) on body composition and metabolic síndrome components. Br J Nutr 2007; Jul 11: 1-8
2 Gaullier JM, Halse J, Hoye K, Kristiansen K, Fagertun H, Vik H & Gudmundsen O (2004) Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 year reduces body fat mass in healthy overweight humans. Am J Clin Nutr 79, 1118–1125.
3 Gaullier JM, Halse J, Hoye K, Kristiansen K, Fagertun H, VikH& Gudmundsen O (2005) Supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid for 24 months is well tolerated by and reduces body fat mass in healthy, overweight humans. J Nutr 135, 778–784.
About Tonalin® CLA
Tonalin® CLA is the original brand of CLA and is an exclusively licensed product of the Cognis Group. CLA is a polyunsaturated, conjugated fatty acid that is a natural part of the human diet, found primarily in meat and dairy products. Cognis produces Tonalin® CLA through a proprietary process that converts linoleic acid from safflowers to provide the highest quality CLA in a wide range of oil and water dispersible powder forms.
About Cognis
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients, with a particular focus on the areas of wellness and sustainability. The company employs about 8,000 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Another main focus is on products for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles, as well as agriculture and mining. The subsidiary Pulcra Chemicals offers specialized chemical products and process expertise to customers in the fiber, textile, and leather industries. Cognis also holds a 50-percent stake in the joint venture Cognis Oleochemicals, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of oleochemicals.
Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and SV Life Sciences. In 2006, Cognis recorded sales of 3.37 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (operating result) of 394 million euros.
Nutrition & Health Media contact Europe:
Valerie Holmes
Phone: +44 (0)20 8979 2333
Email: valerieholmes@btinternet.com
Cognis Corporate Communications Contact:
Viola Stahl
Phone: +49-2173-4995-221
Email: viola.stahl@cognis.com