Physiological Functions and Metabolism of Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Abstract

Conjugated linoleic acid is a mixture of geometrical and positional isomers of linoleic acid. Extensive animal studies indicate conjugated linoleic acid to function as powerful anticarcinogen. Conjugated linoleic acid has antiatherogenic, antidiabetic and antiallergic potential, reduces body fat and influences bone formation. Conjugated linoleic acid may be obtained from linoleic acid by bacterial interactions in the rumen. Meat and dairy products from ruminant animals contain 2-5mg conjugated linoleic acid per g fat. No toxicity of conjugated linoleic acid has been reported in animal feeding studies. Although more information on toxicity in humans should be made available, conjugated linoleic acid ought to be usable as a component of functional foods.Key words : conjugated linoleic acid, anticarcinogen, functional foods.