Effect of supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid on human serum lipids and body fat

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a natural component of meat and dairy pro ducts with anticarcinogenic, fat lowering, antiatherogenic and anticataboli c activity in animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of CLA supplementation to humans on body fat, certain biochemical parameter s of serum, and the CLA content of serum lipids. Twenty-two volunteers were divided into a study group and a control group in a doubly blind design. T he study group received 0.7 g of CLA for four weeks and 1.4 g of CLA for th e next four weeks, while the control group received placebo. Diet was contr olled and no significant differences in energy or macronutrient intake were found between the two groups. Measurements were taken at baseline, four we eks, and eight weeks. The sum of the thickness of ten skinfolds, percentage body fat calculated from it and fat mass was significantly reduced in the CLA group during the second period (P <0.004) but not overall during the st udy. Serum HDL-cholesterol decreased significantly (P <0.001) and triacylgl ycerols as well as total cholesterol tended to decrease in the CLA group du ring the first period. The CLA content of serum non-esterified fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and cholesteryl esters increased graduall y with supplementation; the CLA content of total serum lipids doubled at th e end of the study compared to baseline. Phospholipids had the highest CLA content regardless of supplementation. These data indicate that supplementa tion with 0.7-1.4 g CLA daily for 4-8 weeks may modulate body fat and serum lipids, as well as increase the CLA content of serum lipids in humans. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.