Conjugated Linoleic Acid as an Immunity Enhancer: A Review

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, 18:2) is a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid with two conjugated double bonds at various carbon positions in the fatty acid, found in nature, and do not have any known negative side effects. The most abundant source of natural CLA is the meat and dairy products of grass-fed ruminants such as cows, sheep and goats. CLA is synthesized endogenously by two pathways. The beneficial effects of CLA is reducing body fat accretion and increasing the percentage of body protein, delaying the onset of type II diabetes, retarding the development of atherosclerosis, improving the mineralization of bone, anticarcinogenic. CLA may be a more potent antioxidant than αtocopherol and almost as effective as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Various animal and human studies have shown that CLA can modulate both innate and adaptive immunity.