Top 5 CLA Supplements – Full Analysis, Reviews & Buying Guide (2023)

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a fat that naturally comes from ruminant meat and dairy. It is produced during microbial fermentation in the specialized stomach (rumen) of ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats  [**].  

Available literature cites CLA as beneficial for bone health [*] and immune function [*]. It is also mentioned as having potential benefits to various diseases including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer  [***]. 

Natural CLA from ruminant animals differ from synthetic CLA prepared from rich oils of safflower, sunflower, corn, and soybean oil [*]. Keep in mind that CLA in dietary supplements are synthetically produced from plant oils which may have varying effects compared to natural CLA from ruminant animals. 

CLA is “Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS)” by the FDA [*]. Most people already eat CLA from their diet, but it is also available as a dietary supplement.  As a dietary supplement, CLA is often marketed for weight management and muscle building.

The popularity of CLA has led to hundreds of brands flooding the marketplace; however not all supplements are created equal! Unfortunately, more than 90% of CLA supplements in the market simply DON’T WORK!

We understand the challenges in finding the right supplement for your health needs. That’s why we gathered years of research and made this guide to help you find the top-rated CLA formulas that work for you.

What To Look For

• Help boost metabolism
• Promotes digestive health
• Help maintain a healthy weight
• Boost immune system
• Promotes cardiovascular health

Things To Be Cautious About

Has your brand been third-party tested? You should never buy supplements that don’t have Certificate of Analysis. The studies should be conducted in labs that are not affiliated with the manufacturer. These labs verify the product for safety and potency.

Does your CLA supplement contain cheap synthetic fillers? Some brands add artificial fillers to cut cost to offer cheap products. Some of these cheap fillers we found were titanium dioxide and artificial coloring. You should never purchase cheap products when it comes to supplements.

No return policy or customer service – A reputable supplement company will offer 100% money-back guarantee policy and provide customer support through phone number and email. We noticed many formulas out there are just copies of the top-rated brands. They don’t offer an easy refund policy or don’t even have a phone number to prove they are real.

Top 5 CLA Supplements

The result: we reviewed over 100+ brands of CLA Supplements in the market and complied a list of top 5 formulas based on effectiveness, safety, pricing, return policy, and overall customer satisfaction.

1. Nature’s Bounty CLA

*Individual Results May Vary – Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product websites for more information.

2. Now CLA

*Individual Results May Vary – Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product websites for more information.

3. Solgar CLA

*Individual Results May Vary – Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product websites for more information.

4. Sundown CLA

*Individual Results May Vary – Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product websites for more information.

5. Spring Valley CLA

*Individual Results May Vary – Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product websites for more information.

Ranking Factors

Shipping & Return Policy: we check the shipping and return policy of each recommended product to make sure these brands stand behind their products.

Customer Service: we contact the top rated brands through email, chat or phone to make sure they are responsive and can answer potential questions customers might have.

Essential Ingredients: we verify the ingredients in every top rated brands, their safety and dosage amount in comparison with the latest scientific studies.

Overall Effectiveness: we check with real customers through their reviews and testimonials to make sure the top brands are as effective as they claim to be. We recommend the top 5 formulas based on their average score.

We highly recommend our reader to do their own research, read real reviews and contact any brands directly to make sure they can provide the products and services based on their needs.

*This is a subjective assessment based on the strength of the available information and our independent research and customer feedback. Results may vary based on individual.

Disclosure of Material Connection: we only recommend products and services which we believe will add value to the users. However, you should assume the owner of this website and/or blog has an affiliate relationship and/or another material connection, to any suppliers of goods and services that may be discussed here and may be compensated for showing ads or recommending products or services or linking to the supplier’s website.

Sources and Citations

1. Conjugated Linoleic Acid Effects on… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6413010/
2. CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/conjugated-linoleic-acid
3. Pros and cons of CLA consumption: an insight from clinical evidences https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4429457/