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Conjugated Linoleic Acid Risks

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, but in a slightly altered form. CLA can be found in dairy products as well as in beef, poultry, eggs and corn oil. CLA is also found in supplements. CLA from linoleic acid can also be produced from bacteria that live in the human intestinal system.

  1. Health Risk

    • According to different studies, diabetes could be a great health risk factor for people who are overweight and consume supplements that have CLA in them. These supplements may aggravate insulin resistance. A lot of the supplements available have a mixture of two kinds of CLA isomers, which are compounds that have identical molecular formulas but have different structural formulas.

    Isomers

    • The isomer found in milk and beef--cis-9, trans-11--and the trans-10 and cis-12 isomer are the types of CLA isomers that are mixed in supplements. The trans-10 and cis-12 isomer is associated with many negative side effects in supplements containing them. According to research, oxidative stress rates are significantly increased in supplements that have trans-10 and cis-12 in them.

    Controversy

    • The result of this research is controversial because of opposition research which shows that a mixture of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10 and cis-12 presents no insulin sensitivity changes. Foods that are enriched naturally in CLA, like dairy and beef, are seen as safe alternatives for consumption rather than taking supplements containing them. Yet there is still no certainty about the long-term health effects of taking supplements containing CLA.

    Cholesterol

    • Another health risk was found in connection with CLA courtesy of a study done on trans-10 and cis-12. This study showed how biliary cholesterol concentration was increased by 32 percent because of this isomer. This is a health risk because of the increased chances of gallstones being formed as a result of it.

    Studies

    • The U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted a study in 2006 which inferred that essential fatty acid redistribution can be triggered by CLA. This study was conducted on mice. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid) levels in organs were altered, according to observations. DHA in the heart fell by 25 percent due to trans-10 and cis-12 CLA in addition to DHA content rising as AA was reduced in the spleen. Cardovascular health needs omega 3 fatty acids (DHA) and the reduction of this acid in the heart can have serious health ramifications. A study regarding CLA cis-9, cis-12, trans-10 and trans-12 in chicks showed decreased DHA levels in the brain plus high mortality rates. It has not been fully established, but the results of these studies bring up the question of whether CLA increases the dangers of inflammatory and cardiovascular disease.

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