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Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a slightly altered form of the
essential fatty acid linoleic acid. CLA is found naturally in animal
tissues and food sources, including ruminant meats, poultry, eggs
and dairy products, such as cheeses, milk and yogurt that have
undergone heat processing treatments. Vegetable fats are generally
poorer sources of CLA. However, CLA is produced from linoleic acid
in safflower oil and sunflower oil by special treatment of these
oils. CLA was originally found in milk fat where it exists in the
form of phospholipids and triglycerides. Also, there is evidence
that human milk contains CLA.
Preliminary animal studies and
research suggests that CLA might reduce the risk of cancers at
several sites, including breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, skin,
and stomach. Whether CLA will have a similar protective effect for
people has yet to be shown in any
study.
Dosage
There are a few
products with CLA available. The amounts of the two most studied
isomers of CLA,cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA, vary. Also,
there are different amounts of other isomers of CLA in the various
preparations. Typical doses are 1 to 2 grams daily. Some use doses
up to 6 grams daily.
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