When reviewing supplements for weight loss and body composition, there are two that have been suggested, Raspberry Ketones and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA); according to the NIH these are listed as some of the common weight loss supplements.  Conjugated Linoleic Acid per the NIH can increase lipolysis, reduce lipogenesis, and in the adipose tissue it promotes apoptosis.   There have been several clinic trails on CLA with minimal safety concerns; however it shows minimal effect on weight and body composition.  The next supplement is raspberry ketones, there are no safety concerns, and per the NIH this can alter the lipid metabolism.  In addition, per the NIH there is insufficient data if this actually has any effect; it is only studied with other ingredients (“Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)”).

A systematic review from the Journal of the Endocrine Society— Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on Insulin Resistance and BMI in Subjects with and without the Metabolic Syndrome, reviewed randomized control studies prior to 2017,  24 of the studies found had inclusion criteria, and 19 were okay for meta-analysis, and the studies that we included showed some difference.  Overall, the conclusion of the systematic review showed that,  yes there were some difference, but the difference wasn’t significant enough to  be beneficial to people.

Per the NIH, there is not enough information available to show effects of raspberry ketones and CLA to have a positive effect.  All studies available for raspberry ketones addressed by the NIH used other supplementation as well with no safety concerns and CLA may show effect, but is minimal with some safety concerns (“Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)”).  Additionally per the Journal of the Endocrine Society that did a review on CLA, showed what the NIH did as well, some effect, but it is minimal.  There is no significant benefit to CLA. I would not recommend continue use of both supplements as they are not providing the benefits needed.  Instead I would recommend revisiting the exercise plan and the diet plan, from the sounds of it the client is in the midst of a plateau and that is usually time to change things up to restart the weight loss.

References-

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/.

Rossana Calderon Moreno, Ricardo Correa, Anna Sara Oberg, Stefania Papatheodorou, SUN-065 Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on Insulin Resistance and BMI in Subjects with and without the Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Journal of the Endocrine Society, Volume 3, Issue Supplement_1, April-May 2019, SUN–065, https://doi.org/10.1210/js.2019-SUN-065