CLA - A Health-Promoting Component of Animal and Milk Fat

Abstract

End of Project ReportTeagasc acknowledges with gratitude financial assistance for this project from the Dairy Levy Fund and by the EU (Concerted Action FAIR-CT98-3671 and SM & T4 CT97-2144).In the recent past, there has been considerable interest in the potential health-promoting properties of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid produced naturally in ruminant animals. CLA has been shown to be a very effective anti-cancer agent in animal models and cell culture studies, as well as being capable of retarding the initiation and progression of heart disease (atherosclerosis). It has also been shown to have potential as a growth promoter and is capable of improving feed efficiency. Hence from a human health viewpoint, it appears desirable to increase CLA levels in foods to protect against disease and enhance general health and well-being. The primary sources of CLA are animal fats (including dairy fats) derived from ruminant animals while vegetable fats and oils contain significantly lower levels. This project was aimed at enriching the CLA content of dairy foods through animal dietary manipulation, and milk fat fractionation.Dairy Levy FundEuropean Unio