Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Although the effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLAs) on blood pressure and body composition is revealed in several in vitro and animal studies, the results of human studies are controversial. The purpose of the current clinical double blind trial was to determine the effect of 2 months CLA supplementation on blood pressure and body composition of non trained healthy young male students.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 66 non trained healthy male students. Before and after eight weeks supplementation with 4´0.8g.d-1 CLA or placebo (soybean oil), lean body mass and fat mass were measured with BIA, trunk and visceral fat and waist circumference were measured with ViScan. Physical activity amount and dietary intake of participants were similar together, because they lived in dorms. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS16 software, the statistical tests being analysis of covariance, Independent sample t test, paired-sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results: CLA supplementation had no effect on blood pressure, lean body mass, body fat mass, trunk and visceral fat and waist circumference.

Conclusions: These results show that CLA does not affect on body composition and blood pressure in non trained young male students.