June 8, 2005 – Although the results of in vitro or animal tests indicate that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may have a stimulating effect on the immune system, it appears that this effect is rather modest in humans.
At least that’s what the results of a test indicate.1 recently conducted double-blind study in Ireland with 55 healthy subjects given either of two CLA preparations or regular linoleic acid for eight weeks.
The researchers observed only a mildly stimulating effect of one of the two CLA preparations on various markers of immune activity. They also found that just taking regular linoleic acid produced a similar action.
Recall that we began to be interested in CLA when we found that it allowed to improve the ratio of muscle mass and adipose tissue in animals. However, the few clinical trials in humans have produced mixed results. It was also thought that it could have an effect on diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease, but again, the results of the studies remain contradictory.
The main natural sources of CLA are fat from ruminant milk and meat. CLA is a derivative of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid in the omega-6 chain that comes mainly from plants (linseed, canola, soybean, nuts, beans, etc.). These are bacteria present in the stomach of ruminants which convert linoleic acid in plants into CLA.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to Nature.com
1. Nugent AP, Roche HM, et al. The effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on immune function in healthy volunteers.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jun; 59 (6): 742-50.