Lowery, L. M., Appicelli, P. A., & Lemon, P. W. (1998). Conjugated linoleic acid enhances muscle size and strength gains in novice bodybuilders. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 1038.

Novice male bodybuilders (N = 24) ingested 7.2 gm per day of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or a vegetable placebo for six weeks of bodybuilding exercise.

CLA gains were greater than placebo in skinfold-corrected arm-girth, body mass, and leg press 1 RM. A variety of other measures revealed no differences between the two groups.

CLA appeared to act as a mild anabolic agent in these male novice bodybuilders.

Implication. Conjugated linoleic acid has anabolic effects in novice body builders. Another substance to ban?

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.