Functional food CLA

             Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Fat Versus Function
             Conjugated linoleic acid, otherwise known as CLA, is a slightly altered isomer derived from linoleic acid; both are classified as omega-6 polyunsaturated acids and both are considered EFAs. So what is it about CLA that sets it apart form the rest of the pack and secures its pretigious title as a "functional food" among a short list of others? To answer this let's first look at some fact and history behind CLA.
             It was Dr. Michael W. Pariza at the University of Wisconsin who first discovered this compound in 1978. He was actually looking for mutagen formations in meat during cooking when the discovery was accidentally stumbled upon. Since then, research have shown that CLA occurs naturally in very small amount in various types of meats, such as beef, lamb and turkey, and also in dairy products like whole milk and cheese whiz. More than that, studies have further precipitated in the finding of some additional properties of CLA that entails very high interest. These experiments suggest that CLA may improve body composition by limiting adipose cell growth and increasing lean body mass; fortify and enhance the immune system (although this is debatable), as well as holding some powerful anti-carcinogenic properties. These show that CLA have advantages above and beyond its basic nutritional function as a fatty acid, therefore qualifying it as a "functional food", and since it is only found in trace amounts in natural foods (5.5mg/g in Whole Milk, 4.3mg/g in Fresh Ground Beef), it is commonly isolated and encapsulated then taken as a nutraceutical.
             One of the more recent studies on CLA in relation to the improvement of body composition was conducted with subjects that were already overweight or obese as a focus. The 20 male and 40 female adults who were involved all had a BMI ranging from 25.1 kg/m2 to 34.9 kgm2. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled...

More Essays:

APA     MLA     Chicago
Functional food CLA. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 14:43, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/14284.html