ABSTRACT
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is an inclusive designation of a number of naturally occurring octadecadienoic acids. CLA is a product of the biohydrogenation of linoleic acid that occurs in ruminant animals. It is found principally in dairy products and the meat of ruminant animals; the major isomer in these foods is the
cis
trans
11 modification. The concentration of CLA in food sources is about 1 to 10 mg/g fat. Chin et al. (1992) have published a summary of the levels of CLA found in foods and Fritsche and Steinhard (1998) estimate that daily intake in man ranges from 0.3 to 1.5 g per person.
