Selected measures of health in women fed conjugated linoleic acid-enriched products from organic, pasture-fed cattle

Abstract

<p>Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) purportedly alters body composition, glucose tolerance, hepatic function, lipoprotein distributions, and other markers of health. However, results of research are often inconclusive or contradictory, and presently no studies have investigated the effects of incorporation of CLA from organic, pasture-fed cattle. To determine the effects of CLA in products from pasture-fed beef and dairy cattle, 18 young, healthy women consumed a diet comprised of beef and dairy products either from pasture-fed or grain-fed cattle. Endpoints of interest included insulin resistance, body composition, circulating lipids, and other selected disease risk factors. A diet naturally enriched with a 3.5 fold increase in CLA by incorporation of beef and dairy products from organic, pasture-fed cattle did not result in measurable improvements in selected measures of health in premenopausal women as compared with a similar diet with products from grain-fed cattle.</p>