Abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat, or belly fat, is not just a matter of vanity anymore. Doctors are increasingly sounding the alarm about the health dangers of belly fat, as more Americans are diagnosed daily with obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

How to Lose Belly Fat: Secret #1- CLA

Scientists in Sweden have reported that patients taking conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA for short, lose fat- especially abdominal or belly fat. CLA is a special type of fatty acid, and is available in the U.S. without prescription.

In a 2001 trial, people taking 4 grams of CLA a day lost nearly 4% of their body fat over 12 weeks, with no other dietary or exercise changes.

Another Swedish study in 2004 found that CLA “might slightly decrease body fat in humans, particularly abdominal fat,” without changing body mass index. No harmful side effects were reported.

A 2004 review study on weight loss supplements from Creighton University Medical Center reported that “results for conjugated linoleic acid were positive in three clinical studies, with few adverse effects.”

A 4% reduction of fat may not sound like much, but its importance for your health can be profound. Doctors at Laval University in Quebec, who specialize in the study of abdominal fat, say that even a 5% to 10% reduction in belly fat can reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease by as much as 60%.

While CLA may not be the cure for belly fat all by itself, it is certainly one way to target belly fat loss. In combination with some (or all) of the other powerful, proven methods I will share with you in this series, it could make a profound difference for your waistline- and your health.