This chapter in the Annual Review of Nutrition is a broad review of the literature about the implications of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for human health. CLA seems to have such a broad sweep of effects in terms of cancer, diabetes, obesity, and immunity. It appears that most of the other researchers citing this chapter are conducting research on some aspect of CLA as it relates to one of these areas.

The chapter is one of the more comprehensive reviews out right now on the literature addressing CLA. Researchers are increasingly interested in studying CLA because of the discovery of its effects on human health and illness as listed above—cancer, diabetes, obesity, and immunity. In addition, CLA may be of interest because it seems to be a fat that actually has benefits, which goes against the misconception that all fats are bad. Since CLA is readily available as a supplement, its potential as a safe complementary medicine is of great interest. This matches the current societal trend toward interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicines to improve our health.

This book chapter is a review of the existing literature on CLA. The studies highlighted address some of the human health implications of CLA, as well as the potential mechanisms that explain how it works at the molecular level. This type of research helps us understand how a biochemical compound works and how much of it is needed to cause certain effects. This understanding is the first necessary step required in developing a safe nutritional therapy.