PHD CLA Soft Gels

But, can a one-ingredient diet pill be effective? Below we take an in-depth look at PHD CLA Soft Gels to see how useful it really is.

PHD CLA Soft Gels Review

PHD CLA Soft Gels are a CLA based supplement manufactured by PHD Nutrition. The only active ingredient is CLA, and the manufacturers infer that the product will aid weight loss and promote muscle gains.

PHD Nutrition, whose website is registered as PHD Supplements, are based in Hull in the UK. They manufacture and sell a range of supplements under the general descriptions of ‘recovery’, ‘body sculpt’, ‘mass & strength’ and ‘performance’.

These CLA capsules contain beef gelatin and are not suitable for vegetarians. PHD Nutrition can be contacted by using the information provided on their official website; they can be emailed or called during office hours.

What Does PHD CLA Soft Gels Claim To Do?

PHD Supplements state that PHD CLA Soft Gels are ideal for:

• Men and women looking for effective weight management
• Athletes stacking CLA with Lean Degree for dual effect
• Health conscious individuals
• Body builders, athletes and slimmers

They describe their product as being ideal as part of a weight management program, and, whilst they fail to explain exactly how CLA supplements aid weight loss, they do state that: CLA is an extremely popular product for dieters and over 30 clinical studies have been published investigating the effect of CLA on weight management.

So What Is PHD CLA Soft Gels and What Are The Ingredients?

There is only one active ingredient in PHD CLA Soft Gels; Conjugated Linoleic Acid, with each capsule containing 1000mg.

• CLA: Naturally found in dairy products and beef, conjugated linoleic acid may help to reduce body fat, but may not cause changes to body weight. The average daily diet provides between 15 and 174 mg of conjugated linoleic acid, but studies have used much higher levels. Human studies of CLA have produced contradictory results, and it is described as not only a relatively poor fat burner, but also an unreliable one.
  Source:http://examine.com/supplements/Conjugated+Linoleic+Acid/

So What Does All This Mean?

Whilst CLA has shown positive results in studies in rats and mice, aiding significant weight loss and acting as a fat burner, the clinical results in humans are much more varied. Some human clinical trials showed significant fat loss, improved body composition and even increases in muscle mass. However, other studies found no results or changes at all.

One review paper that pooled the results of 18 studies of CLA found that, on average, CLA caused ‘modest’ fat loss. Other reviews describe it as a relatively poor and unreliable fat burner. Because it is a single ingredient supplement that is non-stimulant, PHD CLA soft gels can be stacked with other products, and can be taken in the evening.

With each capsule containing 1000 mg of CLA, and consumers being instructed to take 3 capsules per day, spread throughout the day, it seems that consumers would be taking a fairly high dose, which is similar to the doses used in clinical trials. Even at this high dose, the product is far from the most effective diet pill we have ever seen.

Does PHD CLA Soft Gels Have Any Side Effects?

There are some potential side effects associated with the use of CLA. It can cause stomach upset, diarrhoea, nausea and fatigue.

Any PHD CLA Soft Gels Reviews From Customers?

There are no customer reviews for this product, despite there being the option for customers to leave reviews of the official PHD Supplements website.

So Does PHD CLA Soft Gels Work?

CLA does appear to have some effect upon the body, somewhat reducing fat mass and aiding muscle growth in consumers who are exercising regularly in order to build muscle. It may not result in weight loss overall, but as it may aid muscle growth, it could therefore indirectly boost the body’s metabolic rate. There is also the worry that it is an unreliable or unpredictable supplement. Studies report vastly different effects upon the body.

Where Can I Buy PHD CLA Soft Gels?

PHD CLA Soft Gels can be purchased from the PHD Supplements official website. A single bottle costs £10.49, plus delivery. Customers are also offered a three for two offer on all tablet and capsule products on the PHD Supplement website. They offer free delivery on all orders of £14.99 or more that are being sent to mainland UK. Customers who sign up for the PHD Nutrition newsletter can get 10% off their first purchase.

A single bottle of PHD CLA Soft Gels contains 45 capsules, which is enough for a 15 day supply when taken according to the directions provided by the manufacturer.

What About A Guarantee

The company does not offer a money-back guarantee. Their returns policy and the instructions explaining how to return the item are listed below:

You can return any unwanted items back to us within 14 days of delivery. Returned items must be in their original and unused condition.

• Fill out your reason(s) for return on your delivery note.
• Enclose your delivery note with the item, detailing the reason for return, and package up securely; please use original packaging if possible.
• Take your parcel to any Post Office or counter service.
• Obtain a certificate of postage to ensure the parcel get to us.

Watchdog Verdict

Whilst PHD CLA Soft Gels are in a similar price range to other CLA products we have reviewed in the past, a single bottle contains a low number of Soft Gels compared to these other products. As a single bottle only provides a 15 day supply, this makes PHD CLA Soft Gels poor value for money for a single-ingredient CLA supplement.

There is no money-back guarantee for this product, and customers only have 14 days to return valid returns.

With each capsule containing 1000 mg of CLA, and consumers being instructed to take 3 capsules per day, spread throughout the day, it seems that consumers would be taking a fairly high dose, which is similar to the doses used in clinical trials. Even at this high dose, the product is far from the most effective diet pill we have ever seen.

Overall, we are not hugely impressed by PHD CLA Soft Gels. The product is not hugely effective, and needs to be taken in large doses just for a small effect. The product can be stacked with other weight loss aids. This particular CLA product is also poor value for money. In general, CLA supplements such as PHD CLA Soft Gels are not going to provide significant results, especially for someone who is looking to lose a large amount of weight. Whilst CLA could play a small role in a larger weight loss system, we do not recommend PHD CLA Soft Gels to our readers.