Conjugated linoleic acid combined with creatine monohydrate and whey protein supplementation during strength training.
OBJECTIVE
The authors examined the combined effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), creatine (C), and whey protein (P) supplementation during strength training.


METHODS
Sixty-nine participants (52 men, 17 women; M +/- SD age 22.5 +/-2.5 yr) were randomly assigned (double-blind) to 1 of 3 groups: CCP (6 g/d CLA + 9 g/d C + 36 g/d P; n = 22), CP (C + P + placebo oil; n = 25), or P (P + placebo oil; n = 22) during 5 wk of strength training (4-5 sets, 6-12 repetitions, 6 d/wk). Measurements were taken for body composition (air-displacement plethysmography), muscle thickness (ultrasound) of the flexors and extensors of the elbow and knee, 1-repetition-maximum (1-RM) strength (leg press and bench press), urinary markers of bone resorption (N-telopeptides, NTx), myofibrillar protein catabolism (3-methylhistidine; 3-MH), oxidative stress (8-isoprostanes), and kidney function (microalbumin) before and after training.


RESULTS
Contrast analyses indicated that the CCP group had a greater increase in bench-press (16.2% +/- 11.3% vs. 9.7% +/- 17.0%; p < .05) and leg-press (13.1% +/- 9.9% vs. 7.7% +/-14.2%; p < .05) strength and lean-tissue mass (2.4% +/- 2.8% vs. 1.3% +/-4.1%; p < .05) than the other groups combined. All groups increased muscle thickness over time (p < .05). The relative change in 3-MH (CCP -4.7% +/- 70.2%, CP -0.4% +/- 81.4%, P 20.3% +/- 75.2%) was less in the groups receiving creatine (p < .05), with the difference for NTx also close to significance (p = .055; CCP -3.4% +/- 66.6%, CP -3.9% +/- 64.9%, P 26.0% +/- 63.8%). There were no changes in oxidative stress or kidney function.


CONCLUSIONS
Combining C, CLA, and P was beneficial for increasing strength and lean-tissue mass during heavy resistance training.
Cornish
Stephen M
SM
College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Candow
Darren G
DG
Jantz
Nathan T
NT
Chilibeck
Philip D
PD
Little
Jonathan P
JP
Forbes
Scott
S
Abeysekara
Saman
S
Zello
Gordon A
GA
D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D055815:Young Adult
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; D008894:Milk Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D003401:Creatine