Thanks to omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is having its moment in the spotlight. But research suggests that two other polyunsaturated fats should be sharing center stage: safflower oil, a common cooking oil rich in linoleic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), found in trace amounts in meat and dairy products. Researchers found that obese, postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes who took supplements of the two oils shed body fat. Both supplements (taken separately) showed comparable results. After taking safflower oil, the women had lowered fasting glucose levels, increased muscle, and reduced fat in their torso—about 2 to 4 pounds. The CLA supplement helped the women reduce body fat and lower their body mass index. Before taking any supplement, always check with your doctor.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, published online June 17, 2009