Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to reduce body fat mass (BFM) in animals. To investigate the dose-response relationships of conjugated linoleic acid with regard to BFM in humans, a randomized, double-blind study including 60 overweight or obese volunteers (body mass index 25-35 kg/m(2)) was performed. The subjects were divided into five groups receiving placebo (9 g olive oil), 1.7, 3.4, 5.1 or 6.8 g conjugated linoleic acid per day for 12 wk, respectively. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure body composition [measurements at wk 0 (baseline), 6 and 12]. Of the 60 subjects, 47 completed the study. Eight subjects withdrew from the study due to adverse events; however, no differences among treatment groups were found regarding adverse events. Repeated-measures analysis showed that a significantly higher reduction in BFM was found in the conjugated linoleic acid groups compared with the placebo group (P: = 0.03). The reduction of body fat within the groups was significant for the 3.4 and 6.8 g CLA groups (P: = 0.05 and P: = 0.02, respectively). No significant differences among the groups were observed in lean body mass, body mass index, blood safety variables or blood lipids. The data suggest that conjugated linoleic acid may reduce BFM in humans and that no additional effect on BFM is achieved with doses > 3.4 g CLA/d.

Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. We investigated the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry syrup for treating influenza A and B infections. Sixty patients (aged 18 -54 years) suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 h or less were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study during the influenza season of 1999 -2000 in Norway. Patients received 15 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup four times a day for 5 days, and recorded their symptoms using a visual analogue scale. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study.

This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of daily conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in healthy exercising humans. This was a random-double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 20 healthy humans of normal body weight and body mass index less than 25.0 kg/m2, who did standardized physical exercise in a gym for 90 min three times weekly. Participants took either placebo (hydrogel) or CLA 0.6 g [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED], three times daily, as two capsules during meals, for 12 weeks. Body fat, measured using near infrared light, was significantly reduced in the CLA group during the study, but not in the placebo group. No effects on body weight were observed. Tolerability was good and similar in the two groups. Compliance, as judged by the number of returned capsules, was more than 80% of the recommended dose for all participants. Thus CLA reduces body fat but not body weight in healthy exercising humans of normal body weight.

Safety of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in overweight or obese human volunteersThe main objective of the study was to investigate the safety of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in healthy volunteers. The effect of CLA on body composition was also investigated. The trial design was a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled study including 60 overweight or obese volunteers (body mass index (BMI) 27.5-39.0 kg/m 2 ). The subjects were divided into two groups receiving 3.4 g CLA or placebo (4.5 g olive oil) daily for 12 weeks. The safety was evaluated by analysis of blood parameters and by clinical examinations at baseline and week 12. Vital signs and adverse events were registered at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Bio Impedance Assessment was applied for body composition measurements. 55 subjects completed the study. Adverse events occurred in 10% of the subjects. No difference in adverse events or other safety parameters was found between the treatment groups. Small changes in the laboratory safety data were not regarded as clinically significant. Moreover, no clinically significant changes in vital signs were observed in any of the groups. In the CLA group, mean weight was reduced by 1.1 kg (paired t-test p = 0.005), while mean BMI was reduced by 0.4 kg/m 2 (p = 0.007). However, the overall treatment effect of CLA on body weight and BMI was not significant. There were no differences found between the groups with regard to efficacy parameters.The results indicate that CLA in the given dose is a safe substance in healthy populations with regard to the safety parameters investigated.

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