Jul 20 2010 --- In the first published study of its kind, Tonalin CLA improved airway hyper-reactivity in overweight mild asthmatics accompanied by a significant improvement in their tolerance for strenuous exercise1.

Adults taking Tonalin CLA also reduced their body weight and BMI by 2 kg (4.4 lbs) and 0.5 kg/m2 over time which was associated with a metabolically favorable change in adipokine concentrations. The reductions observed in the CLA group were significantly different from the placebo group confirming once again the beneficial impact of CLA for weight and body fat management.

The prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial, published in the July edition of the Journal of Clinical & Experimental Allergy, was conducted by a team of researchers at the University of British Colombia, Vancouver, Canada. In the 12-week study, supplementation of Tonalin CLA was an adjunct to usual care in overweight asthmatics and was well tolerated.  The 28 mildly asthmatic men and women were randomized to consume 4.5 grams daily of Tonalin CLA or a placebo.

In their discussion, researchers stated that CLA could be beneficial for asthma treatment for a number of reasons. Diets rich in milk fat, an important source of CLA, have been associated with a lower risk of asthma symptoms 2,3. Biological activities of CLA including the regulation of inflammation 4-6 and reduction of body fat mass 7 are described as consistent with the potential benefits in asthma.

According to the researchers, “A huge number of asthma patients seek complementary therapies, and a wide range of products are marketed as 'asthma treatments', frequently with no evidence. CLA is safe, in our studies and in others, clinically effective and may be considered for overweight mild astmatics seeking natural remedies as part of their asthma management plan. We encourage further studies to elucidate the role of CLA in a broader asthma population."

Christina Ehrhardt, Global Research Manager, Cognis Nutrition & Health, said this research adds important new insights into the totality of evidence supporting the overall health and body composition benefits of Tonalin CLA.