Scientists recently made the surprising discovery that milk and meat from ruminant animals contain conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an essential health-promoting compound with powerful health benefits. This may pave the way to producing “designer milk” with increased amounts of CLA.
CLA is produced in the rumen through fermentation of linoleic acid by Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens bacteria and subsequent biohydrogenation and synthesis processes with tissue delta 9 desaturase as an enzyme catalyst.
Strength & Endurance
Conjugated linoleic acid, more commonly known by its acronym CLA, is a type of fat that helps your body burn other forms of lipids more efficiently, making it a popular choice among weight loss and muscle-building communities as a way to shed excess pounds while building lean muscle mass.
CLA is present in dairy products from ruminant animals such as cows and sheep; its amounts may differ. CLA can also be synthesized from vegetable oils like safflower, sunflower and corn oil via an alkaline-catalyzed reaction where linoleic acid atoms are rearrange to create different forms of CLA with unique properties and benefits.
Studies have demonstrated that people who consume more sources of CLA have greater levels of both strength and endurance. But finding high-quality sources may prove a difficult feat – one great option would be switching over to 100% grass-fed meats and dairy which have been found to contain up to three times more CLA than their grain-fed counterparts.
Weight Loss
Obesity and its related comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes strain our healthcare system. Exercise and dietary restriction alone often fail to bring long-term, sustainable weight loss. Recent research indicates that CLA (specifically the 10c,12t isomer) supplementation may be an effective strategy for controlling body weight and adiposity.
Milk contains fat, which consists of multiple types of fatty acids. Linoleic acid (18:2) and trans-11 linoleic acid (12:2) are among the major ones.
Rumen microbes transform linoleic acid to conjugated linoleic acid by biohydrogenation, and this form of conjugated linoleic acid seems to help people lose weight and keep it off in the long run.
Cardiovascular Health
Conjugated linoleic acid has been shown to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides levels in blood, reduce inflammation and lower cancer risks.
Research suggests that diets rich in conjugated linoleic acid may lower the risk of colon and rectal cancer. Evidence shows that CLA’s cis-9, trans-11 form may help decrease inflammation while potentially stopping cancer cells from growing and spreading.
CLA is produced naturally in ruminant animals’ stomachs, such as cows and sheep, and found in meat and dairy products from them. CLA supplements may be sold commercially; however, most research studies on its effectiveness involve testing synthetic versions.
Studies indicate that taking 3 grams of conjugated linoleic acids daily may help those who are overweight to reduce body fat; however, more research must be completed before such claims can be made for other applications of this fatty acid.
Cancer Prevention
conjugated linoleic acid, an ingredient commonly found in weight loss and sports supplements, has proven its ability to combat cancer with its omega-6 fatty acid structure – it’s even present in some ruminant animals like cows, goats and sheep!
These fats are naturally produced in the digestive tract of ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats by microbes that ferment linoleic acid found in forages and use an enzyme known as Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens to convert it to CLA. Two forms of CLA –cis-9 trans-11 and 9c/11t–then become part of milk fat from dairy products such as butter and cheese produced from these animals.
CLA is also available as a synthetic form produced from plant-based oils rich in linoleic acid such as soybean, sunflower and corn oil. Unfortunately, these synthetic forms of CLA do not possess the same health benefits found in beef and dairy products and excessive doses may even prove hazardous.