Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Dietary Beef – An Update

Denver Office Chicago Office Washington D.C. Office P.O. Box 3469 444 North Michigan Avenue 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Englewood, CO 80155 Chicago, Illinois 60611 Suite #300 (303) 694-0305 (312) 467-5520 Washington, DC 20004 (202) 347-0228 11-424 1995.0 C linoleic acid (CLA), a natural derivative of the fatty acid linoleic acid, has received increasing attention in recent years. Starting with anticarcinogenic effects, the potential benefits of this unique fatty acid have extended to antiatherogenic properties, anti-diabetic properties, enhanced immune response and positive effects on energy partitioning and growth. These effects have been documented in numerous reviews (1-4) as well as in extensive scientific literature that has grown exponentially since the late 1980’s (5). As a naturally occurring compound in foods from ruminant animal sources, CLA’s anticarcinogenic properties are unique. Of the vast number of naturally occurring substances, demonstrated to have anti-carcinogenic activity, all but a very few are of plant origin (1).