Conjugated Linoleic Acid, better known by the acronym CLA, is a stimulant-free diet aid based on fatty acids found in eggs, dairy products and red meats. Basically, it’s a fat that can help you fight fat. So how does CLA supplementation fit into an active lifestyle? A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research suggests it won’t hold back any fitness gains.

Thirty-three untrained men in their early 20s supplemented with 8 ml of CLA or a placebo daily while engaging in 30 minutes of aerobic training twice weekly. Before the 6-week program started and after its conclusion, subjects were tested on timed sit ups, standing long jump and cycling to exhaustion. There were no differences between CLA supplementing and placebo groups pre- to post-training.

True Strength Moment: Unfortunately, these subjects weren’t weighed before and after the 6-week study program, so we don’t know the weight loss benefits of CLA supplementation combined with aerobic training. All we can say is CLA isn’t likely to have an adverse impact on building your level of fitness.