CLA has been studied for two decades in various animal models. It is a fatty acid nutrient wh8ich occurs naturally in beef, turkey and many dairy products. The reason that CLA is supplied by meats and dairy products is that it is the result of linoleic acid being metabloized by the bacteria Butyrivibrio fibrosolvens, an organism found in the intestinal tracts of some animals, particularly runinants, such as cows. Unfortantely, modern agricultural practices reduces the amount of CLA present in the foods we usualy consume. Also, not all meats and oils are good sources of CLA. Pork, chicken, fish and vegetable oils, for instance, contain very little CLA. Currently, CLA is produced commercially form sunflower or safflower oil.

Linoleic acid is a molecule which consists of a chain of 18 carbon atoms. Most of the carbon atoms are linked to neighboring atoms by " single bonds." Two of the links in the chain are the more rigid "double bonds." Chemicals reactions can cause one of the double bonds to shift so that it is separated from the other by only one single bond to form a "conjugated" fatty acid. Thus, when the two double bonds in linoeic acid are moved closer together in the chain, a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) molecule is created. The placement of the double affects the molecule's shape and functions.

Immunomodulation

Investigations which began in the 1980s indicate that CLA is an immune system modulator -- it alters some immune functions and how the body reacts to immune stimulation. As a rule, activation of the immune system can lead to the loss of lean tissue, but animals fed CLA did not suffer from wasting and other adverse effects to the same extent when injected with toxins or certain types of vaccinations. Under challenging conditions, CLA prevents the catabolism (tissue breakdown) which accompanies excessive immune stimulation. This may be important not only to dieters -- long term stress is known to lead to weight gain -- but to individuals subject to extreme stress from a variety of causes. CLA also apparently changes to some extent the metabolism of lipoproteins (fats carried in protein packets) and the way in which the body utilizes fats for energy.

Cox2 Inhibition

One potentially health-enhancing benefit of the consumption of supplemental CLA, especially in conjunction with the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenOic acid), such as supplied by icirrow FORMULAS’ Max DHA, is an inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzyme. This enzyme is important to the synthesis of arachidonic acid. As a result, it plays a significant role in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the promotion of inflammation. By inhibiting cyclooxygenase, DHA and CLA help to reduce the activity fo processes which increase inflammation.

Selected References

Devery R. Miller A, Stanton c. Conjugated linoleic acid and oxidative behaviour in cancer cells.

Biocham Soc Trans. 2001 Apr;29(2)-341.4

Liew C, Schut HA, Chin SF, Pariza MW, Dasbwood RH. Protection of conjugated linoleic acids against 2-amino-3- methylimidazo [4,5-f] quinoline-induced colon carcinogenesis in the F344 rat a study of inhibitory mechanisms, Carcinogenesis. 1995 Dec:16(12):3037-43

Pariza MW, Park Y, Cook ME. Conjugafed linoleic acid and the control of cancer and cbesity. Toxicol Sci. 1999 Dec;52(2 Suppl):107.I0.

Pariza MW, et al Formation and action of anticarcinogenic fatty
acids. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1991;289:269-72.

Rabman SM. Wang Y, Yotsumoto H, Cha J, Han S, Inoue S, Yanagita T. Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on serum leptin concentration, body-fat accumulatton, and beta-oxidation of fatty acid in OLETF rafs. Nutrition, 2001 May;17(5):385-90

Ringbom 1, Huss U, Stenholn, A, Flock 5, Skattebol L, Perera P, Bohlin L. Cox-2 inhibitory effects of nafurally occurring and modified fatty acids. J Nat Prod. 2001 Jun;64(6):745-9.

Whigham LO, et al. CLA reduces antigen-induced histamine and
PGE(2) release from sensitized guinea pig tracheae. Am J Physiol
Regul lntegr Comp Physiol. 2001 Mar;280(3):R908-12.

Yang M, Pariza MW, Cook ME. Dietary conjugated linoleic acid profects against end stage disease of systemic lupus erythematosus in the NZB/W Fl mouse. lmmunopharmacol lmmunotoxicol. 2000 Aug 22(3):433-49.

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Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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