Should I take CLA and Omega 3 supplements?

Hi David

Omega-3 supplements are fats that come from (usually) flaxseeds or fish. These are the so-called "essential fatty acids" that must be obtained in the diet for good health and ultimately survival. The vast majority of the population does not get adequate intakes of these fats because since livestock and other animals bread for human consumption are not fed the proper foods to allow their bodies to produce much omega-3, they are not a good source. Flax and other vegetable sources provide a good amount of omega-3 but these non-animal sources must be converted in the body to the long-chain, essential fatty acids EPA and DHA and this conversion is very inefficient. So the best source by far for usable omega-3s is fish oil.

Omega-3 should be obtained either by eating fish, omega-3 eggs or grass-fed beef at least three times per week or by supplementing with fish oil and you should consume it at least every two or three days - ideally a gram or two a day on days you don't consume the good dietary sources mentioned above.

CLA is more of a "functional" fat and it is not essential to the body. It has been shown in animal research and some human research to increase fat loss and even add a little bit of muscle. Most people use CLA on its own or as part of or along with a fat burner product for 6 or more weeks.