I have been trying to both lose weight and to take supplements that might be
good for my heart and arteries. Currently, I am walking 2 miles a day, and my
"weight loss plan" is mainly: to try and eat less at meals. I take numerous
supplements that I believe will better my heart (CoQ, Lysine, Vit C, Cayenne,
Acetyl L Carnitine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, etc).
I also have been taking about 4 grams of Conjugated Lipoic Acid CLA daily, now,
for about 2 months. I do not do any weight training or lifting exercises,
though, I would like to slowly add those to my daily routine. Before my largest
meals, I take 2 CLA softgels (that is: 2,000 mgs or 2 grams), and then I eat
my meal.
In the past several weeks I have noticed that my weight has stabilized, while I
continue to lose fat around my waist, and my waistline measurement is VERY
slowly shrinking. Also, I notice a feeling (palpation, feeling it with my hand)
a noticeable increase in bulk in muscle size of my triceps --the back of my
upper arm. I was actually a bit shocked that there was a noticeable decrease in
belly fat on me, and that my triceps muscle felt slightly larger and fuller.
I did not take CLA believing that it was "a carb blocker" or wishing to
increase muscle size. I took it because I read that it provided useful amino
acids which aided the vascular system. Now, I am re-reading (online) the
various promotional claims from distributers of CLA: they talk about it
reducing belly fat and it adding some to muscle mass while taking away from
overall body fat. It almost seems strange to me that...this is exactly what I
observe happening in my body.
I would just as soon NOT add any muscle mass, but I am pleased that a
supplement which appears (otherwise) harmless is actually helping me to get rid
of that monster gut on my belly. My thinking, at this moment, is that if I
continue to lose weight down to a target range, I will cut my CLA doseage to
1,000 mg a day and see where I go from there.