CLA and Pregnancy

Because no studies have been done on CLA and pregnancy, it is generally not recommended for pregnant women to take CLA supplements. However, obtaining CLA from food (found in certain meat and dairy products) is probably safe for pregnant women. If you are thinking about taking CLA supplements during pregnancy, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the possible risks and benefits.

 

An Overview of CLA and Pregnancy

CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is a naturally occurring fatty acid. It is found in certain meat and dairy products. Obtaining CLA from food is probably safe for pregnant women. However, it is not known if CLA supplements are safe for use during pregnancy.
 

CLA Safety During Pregnancy

CLA in supplements is usually synthetic (man-made) and contains different levels of the various forms of CLA than are found in natural CLA. This man-made CLA may be more likely to cause side effects or other problems. No studies have evaluated whether CLA supplements are safe for use during pregnancy.
 
Because it is never medically necessary for pregnant women to take CLA (and because the risks are unknown), it is usually recommended that pregnant women should not take CLA products. Additionally, supplements may contain contaminants or other ingredients that may not be safe for pregnant women. If you think that your diet may be deficient in CLA, it is probably best to try to obtain CLA through natural food sources.
 
If you are pregnant, it is a good idea to have a discussion with your healthcare provider about CLA. Depending on your healthcare provider's recommendations and your own level of concern about using CLA, you may decide that it is best to avoid CLA during pregnancy.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;