There’s a stigma on any nutritional supplements. We’ve seen issues in major league baseball, and late-night infomercials draw us in, but where do you start when you’re looking for true blue enhancement that doesn’t wreak havoc on your internal system?
The answer is in CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid,) and it’s been around for nearly thirty years. Back in 1988, studies began popping up absolutely everywhere. We know a few quality, key features of CLA.
- It lowers cholesterol
- Your immune system receives a boost
- Insulin resistance virtually disappears
- Your metabolism increases
- Muscle growth
No matter what your workout routine contains, you can greatly benefit from adding CLA to your everyday regimen. These aren’t fish oils, nor boosts of body-produced chemicals; they are foreign, but you benefit from them immensely with no damage on your physique. They are generally consumed through CLA pills or by a very specific diet. We’ve got a top ten list of the absolute best CLAs on the market today.
10. Muscle Pharm CLA 1000 Softgels
Starting from the top, we have Muscle Pharm’s CLA 1000 Softgels. One big thing to mention is that CLA isn’t an “energy booster,” though it can improve your energy inadvertently through rapidly producing your lean muscles. This, in turn, means less unnecessary belly fat and other fats, and thereby gives you more energy. However, the softgels alone will not give you energy.
That being said, your value with Muscle Pharm is exceptional. The pills aren’t too big, and are fairly easy to swallow. There’s little to no reported side effects from taking this specific brand. When you go with Muscle Pharm, you’re going with great quality and excellent value.
9. CLA 1250 With Organic Lemon Oil
The pills are medium-sized, easy to swallow, and come with 180 per container, as is standard with most CLA supplements. Users have reported immediate effects within 7-14 days, making this an absolute necessity to at least try out and see for yourself. While CLA doesn’t work for everyone, and you will need to try other brands, it’s safe to say that this one works for most users.
If you’re going to enter the world of CLA and experiment with your training regimen, then this is the perfect introductory pill for just about anyone.
8. Optimum Nutrition CLA 750
Optimum Nutrition has been around since 1986, coming into the market and playing hardball the entire way. Before it was publicly acceptable, and before scientific research began delving into the world of CLA, Optimum Nutrition had already gripped the market, making them the rebels of CLA pills.
As you’ve noticed by now, there’s a price trend that follows CLAs, and for one of the oldest and best in the business, you’re still within the average $20-$25 parameter. You get an excellent value for adding the best nutrition in the CLA market into your daily routine.
These pills are small and easy to swallow, 750mg per dose, and bring on the lean muscle building you’ve been desiring in your workouts. Whatever you’re doing, whether it be simple running, benching or programs like P90X, you’re going to get the best for your workout when you take Optimum Nutrition.
7. Bronson CLA 3000 Extra High Potency Weight Loss Supplement
Each serving should be two softgels. Each contain 2250mg of active CLA, so you get a total of 60 servings per bottle. Unlike many CLA products, these are clinically proven to aid in healthy weight management, which may possibly include losing weight and increasing the percentage of lean muscle on your body.
Bronson is definitely an ample choice for those looking to improve their overall physical appearance, health, and those who require a rapid weight loss transformation to reverse the effects of obesity or other health-related issues pertaining to excessive weight gain.
6. BulkSupplements CLA Softgels
Most CLAs are best used when consumed quickly after purchase, but with BulkSupplements, you get to enjoy a long shelf life, allowing you to utilize these CLAs over a longer period of time.
These pills are relatively medium-sized, and very easy to swallow. You do have to beware of one detail: the closer they get to the expiration date, the more likely these are to stick together, are as standard with any gelatin-based gel capsules.
5. NatureWise CLA 1250
You’re getting the entire company in this bottle. Their attention to customer service makes them one of the most customer-oriented CLA companies on the market—surely the most service-friendly on this entire list. NatureWise is a company you can feel good with, and expect high-quality levels of results from.
4. Evlution Nutrition CLA 1000
There’s also the value to consider for such a high-functioning product. Many users report that this is their only go-to CLA for both quality and price. See what users are saying and decide for yourself, but we give a big thumbs up to Evlution Nutrition CLA 1000.
3. CLA Forte
These also help you maintain the muscle you already have. If you live in a cold climate where running outside often is an issue, and you don’t have a gym/home gym equipment, these can sustain your muscle mass through those hard months, making the reentry phase easier than it normally would be.
2.Primaforce Max CLA
Primaforce has a grip on the market with these exceptional pills. Users have reported that the reputable brand still holds their business after years, and especially with this line of CLA products. These are some of the most inexpensive CLAs you can purchase today, as most don’t come in under $0.10 per pill and prove to be reputable and trustworthy.
Primaforce is the perfect introduction to CLAs, as CLAs don’t work for everybody, so you’re not spending a huge amount going into this.
1. Nature’s Bounty CLA 1000mg Softgels
We’ve all been familiar with Nature’s Bounty products over the years, whether seeing them online during CLA searches, other essential nutrient searches, or seeing those signature green-and-gold bottles in the aisles of our local CVS. Nature’s Bounty has stood the testy of time as a company, and continues to bring exceptional nutrition to its customers.
Their CLA works better than any other on the market, and with a total of 200 in your order, you won’t need to order again for quite some time. Implementing these into your workout routine today is absolutely essential to get the desired results you’ve been after for years.
For a great value and phenomenal quality, you’re going to need SolgarTonalin’s 1300mg CLA Softgels. There’s an immeasurable quality here, and our editor has taken them personally for their muscle retention. Solgar is an excellent source of CLA, and a company you can trust. One of the worst things is finding a great CLA that works for you, only to find that the company couldn’t stay afloat. Solgar’s been around for ages, and with this level of quality and customer-oriented care, they’re not going anywhere for a while.
This is an excellent example of our buyers guide below coming into full effect. Utilizing the different things to watch for in your next CLA supply, our editor has been able to acquire a large supply that will last them for their entire retention process.
CLA FAQ’S – Buying Guide
How Much CLA Should You Take Per Day?
Studies have shown that to reap the benefits of CLA, you only need a maximum of 3.5mg per day, since it is not found in food like it used to be. When you take CLA, the more the merrier. We’ll get into how much CLA is too much in just a moment, but do know that CLA is a lean muscle builder and fat burner. If you are seeking this for your weight loss journey, then you can expect to take higher doses to properly aid in your trials.
How Much CLA Is Too Much?
In most cases, when you begin experiences nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you’ve taken too much CLA. There are no reported overdoses of CLA, nor any cases where it has been defined as a reason for medical issues or fatalities. You’re looking at the best solution for your weight loss journey with minimal to no risks associated.
Are All CLA Product Vegan-Friendly?
No, in most cases, soft gel tablets utilize gelatin as a carrier to bring CLA into your bloodstream. There are specific products, some in our list here, that are completely vegan-friendly, and strive to ensure their audience stays broad. Certain companies work in vegan-only products, making them your safe bet. It’s the essential equivalent to seeing a 100% guarantee on a product, as opposed to “This may also contain traces of.”
What Does CLA Do Once Ingested?
Primarily, it prevents fat build up by boosting your metabolism. This works in a fashion where your cells don’t retain fat, or burn it off extremely quickly after absorbing fat, and leave your body feeling refreshed and ready to go. You’ll be able to see results from most CLA products in as little as 7-14 days.
When Is It Best To Take CLAs?
Immediately following your meal. Taking it on an empty stomach can result in constipation, or other temporary stomach issues such as discomfort. When you take these post-meal (immediately when you are finished,) you’re allowing you body a few minutes to begin retaining food before implementing the CLA into your stomach. While it breaks down, it blends in with your meal and becomes absorbed with it, nullifying any discomforting effects, and utilizing all the benefits CLA has to offer right off the bat.
Should I Consult A Doctor Before Taking CLAs?
As with any self-medicating procedure, it is always best, and recommended by us, to consult a doctor before beginning any medicated regimen based on your own research. Your safety should always come first, and different doctors possess different knowledge. If you have any pre-existing health issues that a doctor can pinpoint as being a no-no for applying CLA to you life, you should heed their advice and follow their alternative methods.
How Do I Choose The Right CLA For Me?
This is rather subjective, as different things are better for different people. There are three main components you should look for in a CLA, to ensure it’s both financially and medically best for you. You don’t want to lose on quality.
1. Price
As with any purchase, you always have to think about exactly what you’re spending. Most doses come down to around, or less than ten cents per pill. When you think about that versus prescription medications, the value difference is phenomenal. You can gain much more from CLAs than you can from chemical-filled, unnecessary “filler pills” that doctors can prescribe you.
2. CLA Percentage
When you look at CLAs, there will be a mg section per tablet. While some say 3000 on the bottle, they may, in reality, only be 2250mg, with 25% of the pill being gelatin or other components to allow your ingestion. It isn’t possible to intake 100% CLA for a pill, so you’ll need to pay close attention to the actual, pure CLA amounts to decide if it’s a good value for your hard-earned money.
3. Total Amounts
You’re looking for value. While the overall price and CLA percentage are extremely important, you also need to look at your total supply and determine how many months you’ll be using CLA. While many implement CLAs into their lifestyle for long-term use, you may only be seeking out CLAs to temporarily help with weight loss and/or muscle build. If this is the case. Either way, ensure that your supply will be enough to carry you through to your first milestone.
Closing Statement
You want to get the most out of your CLA. The science on CLA is still shaky, but results from real users have been pretty solid. As is the case when administering any foreign chemical substance, you’re going to get the naysayers and those who tell you it simply doesn’t work. Those people are the same ones who deny some of the most sound science one earth. CLA has been working for years.
You just need to find out which brand works for you. We’ve based this list off of the most success stories and careful research about each product, bringing you the absolute best in all CLA products available on the market today.
Properly implementing CLAs into you workout routine can drastically improve your lean muscle building, and your immune system will gain a serious boost, ensuring that you can continue with your daily routine without falling ill and ruining your rhythm. CLAs are also inexpensive, so they don’t break the bank while providing excellent benefits.
