Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

What is CLA?

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) refers to a group of naturally occurring isomers of linoleic acid present in ruminant fats and dairy products. Unlike industrial trans fatty acids, trans CLA may be of great potential benefit to human health.

CLA isomers are produced from the bio hydrogenation of linoleic acid by rumen bacteria of animals. The isomers that contain a double bond in the trans configuration are biologically active.¹ CLA has been shown to offer numerous health benefits with respect to cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, osteoporosis and the immune system.

The Effects of CLA on Health

For the past two decades, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has attracted significant research interest due to its favourable potential effects on health. While studies are still in their early phase, published reviews on CLA have highlighted the benefits of this natural ruminant fat.

Various animal and human studies have investigated the role of CLA on health. CLA may play an important protective role in:

·         Cardiovascular diseases,

·         Cancer,

·         Obesity,

·         Bone health,

·         Immune and inflammatory responses.

Cardiovascular Disease

Emerging evidence suggests that ruminant trans fat is beneficial for cardiovascular health. Results from a number of animal studies indicate that CLA has anti-atherosclerotic properties. It has been found that CLA improves blood lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol, triacylglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels and improving HDL cholesterol levels. However, human studies on CLA and cardiovascular disease markers such as blood lipids and blood pressure have revealed inconsistent findings.

Cancer

Evidence from the literature suggests that CLA has potential benefits against cancer. Studies examining the consumption of CLA-rich milk products such as cheese have shown an inverse association with breast cancer. One study also found an inverse correlation between CLA intake and colorectal cancer among women. Animal models suggest that the mechanisms of the anti-carcinogenic properties of CLA include modulation of eicosanoid production, interference in cell signaling pathways, inhibition of DNA synthesis, promotion of apoptosis, and modulation of angiogenesis.

Obesity

Several studies of CLA supplementation have demonstrated that CLA may have an anti-obesity effect and may improve body composition. In a review article on long-term CLA supplementation in humans, CLA was linked to a modest reduction in body fat and/or the prevention of regaining body fat in overweight or obese subjects.² Another review examined the mechanistic actions of CLA in obesity, and it was found in some studies on humans that supplementation with CLA reduced adiposity, whereas this effect has been found consistently in all studies on animals. The consistency in the results of animal studies may be due to the higher CLA dosage used in the trials with animal models compared to the dosage used on human subjects.

The potential anti-obesity mechanisms of CLA include appetite suppression and increased energy expenditure through increased basal metabolic rate. Additionally, CLA inhibits adipogenesis and regulates lipogenesis. Another anti-obesity mechanism of CLA is that it induces inflammation to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines called adipokines. These can cause insulin resistance, which in turn suppresses lipid synthesis and increases lipolysis in adipocytes. Furthermore, CLA promotes and regulates adipocyte apoptosis.³

Immune and Inflammatory Response

Various studies using animal models have shown beneficial effects of CLA on immune and inflammatory responses, including:

·         reduction of adverse effects caused by immune challenges;

·         reduction of colonic inflammation;

·         decrease in antigen-induced cytokine production in immune-competent cells;

·         reduction of allergic-type immune responses;

·         Modulation of the production of cytokines, prostaglandins and leukotrienes

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Conclusion

There is consistent evidence from animal studies that CLA may have several beneficial effects on health

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