The Science Behind NOW CLA Extreme

CLA Extreme by NOW Foods claims to provide both weight loss support and increase energy.  This is pretty standard for a diet pill, but what is not standard is actually containing the ingredients necessary to come through on the claims. While there appears to be some legitimate scientific research behing NOW CLA Extreme, it falls a little short of really giving you the bang for your buck you’re looking for in terms of a diet pill. The full formula is as follows:

• Vitamin E – 10 IU (33% DV)
• Chromium (from Chromium Picolinate) – 100 mcg (83% DV)
• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) – 750 mg
• L-Carnitine (L-Carnipure) – 100 mg
• Guarana (Paullinia cupana extract containing15 mg of Caffeine) – 75 mg
• Green Tea (Camellia sinensis extract containing 40% Polyphenols, 30% Catechins, 2 mg caffeine) – 50 mg

Clearly from the name and from the ingredients, Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is the most significant ingredient here. The CLA was originally made famous for its potential as an anti-carcinogenic when scientists discovered a significant decrease in tumors in mice that were given CLA.  Since then, its effect at regulating body fat has been studied more aggressively with mixed results.  A 2007 meta-analysis of 18 studies done on CLA’s effect on body fat however revealed that the weight loss claims were not completely unfounded.  The study found that over a period of months and with a dose of at least 3.2 grams per day, CLA can promote modest fat reduction compared to placebo. We’re talking less than a pound difference though, so it pales in comparison to the most effective diet pills available.

As for the rest of the ingredients, a very small dose of caffeine along with carnitine may elevate your energy level only slightly, but not any more than a diet coke by any means. The best part of the formula is the antioxidants (Vitamin E, green tea, guarana).

NOW CLA Extreme Policies

NOW Foods doesn’t have any information on returns, refunds or satisfaction guarantees as it only sells through secondary retailers. Depending on where you buy it, you are likely to only get 30 days for refunds on unopened bottles (i.e. no satisfaction guarantee).

NOW CLA Extreme Lowest Price

NOW CLA Extreme lists for about $42 for one months supply, but can be found in a variety of online stores for less than half that.  It seems to be a trend that NOW Foods prices are cut in half, which makes you think they’re just over-priced to begin with. Based on the ingredients and the fact that even the dose of CLA isn’t what was studied to be effective, you’re not getting that much for your money with CLA Extreme.

Does NOW CLA Extreme Work?

Since you’re only looking at  2.25  grams of CLA per dose (.75 grams three times a day) we wouldn’t exactly call this CLA Extreme.  The effective amount studied was at least 3.2 grams per day an that produced only very modest weight loss over the course of a few months. With only one month at 70% of an effective dose, it is very unlikely you’ll see much of an effect from NOW CLA Extreme. Given that you’re not getting a whole lot else to enhance the effect of the CLA, we just can’t see this diet pill being worth your money.