The Dual Role of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Obesity and Metabolic Disorders

Magendran Rajendran; Shanmugasundaram Palani; Thakur Gurjeet Singh; Brian Oliver; Kaml Dua; Vetriselvan Subramaniyan; Kumaran Narayanan

doi:10.1002/fsn3.70582

The Dual Role of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Obesity and Metabolic Disorders

Magendran Rajendran
, Shanmugasundaram Palani
, Thakur Gurjeet Singh
, Brian Oliver
, Kaml Dua
, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
, Kumaran Narayanan

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (cis-9, trans-11, CLA)/(trans-10, cis-12, CLA) has been extensively studied for its role in obesity control and metabolic diseases. This review explores the molecular characteristics of CLA, its metabolic pathways, and its inconsistent effects on lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, energy expenditure, and inflammation. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that CLA may promote fat oxidation and modulate adipocyte function; however, inconsistent findings highlight dose-dependent outcomes and individual variability in response. The dual nature of CLA, showing both beneficial and adverse effects, raises questions about its long-term safety and efficacy. This review critically examines CLA's molecular role in obesity and metabolic regulation, providing insights into its therapeutic promise and limitations. Future research should focus on personalized approaches to CLA supplementation, considering genetic and lifestyle factors for tailored nutritional guidance.

Original language	English
Article number	e70582
Journal	Food Science and Nutrition
Volume	13
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70582
State	Published - Jul 2025
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11, CLA)/(trans-10, cis-12, CLA)
insulin sensitivity
lipid metabolism
metabolic disorders
obesity

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10.1002/fsn3.70582

Cite this

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title = "The Dual Role of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Obesity and Metabolic Disorders",

abstract = "Conjugated Linoleic Acid (cis-9, trans-11, CLA)/(trans-10, cis-12, CLA) has been extensively studied for its role in obesity control and metabolic diseases. This review explores the molecular characteristics of CLA, its metabolic pathways, and its inconsistent effects on lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, energy expenditure, and inflammation. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that CLA may promote fat oxidation and modulate adipocyte function; however, inconsistent findings highlight dose-dependent outcomes and individual variability in response. The dual nature of CLA, showing both beneficial and adverse effects, raises questions about its long-term safety and efficacy. This review critically examines CLA's molecular role in obesity and metabolic regulation, providing insights into its therapeutic promise and limitations. Future research should focus on personalized approaches to CLA supplementation, considering genetic and lifestyle factors for tailored nutritional guidance.",

keywords = "conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11, CLA)/(trans-10, cis-12, CLA), insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, metabolic disorders, obesity",

author = "Magendran Rajendran and Shanmugasundaram Palani and Singh, \{Thakur Gurjeet\} and Brian Oliver and Kaml Dua and Vetriselvan Subramaniyan and Kumaran Narayanan",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 The Author(s). Food Science \& Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.",

year = "2025",

month = jul,

doi = "10.1002/fsn3.70582",

language = "English",

volume = "13",

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AU - Rajendran, Magendran

AU - Palani, Shanmugasundaram

AU - Singh, Thakur Gurjeet

AU - Oliver, Brian

AU - Dua, Kaml

AU - Subramaniyan, Vetriselvan

AU - Narayanan, Kumaran

PY - 2025/7

Y1 - 2025/7

N2 - Conjugated Linoleic Acid (cis-9, trans-11, CLA)/(trans-10, cis-12, CLA) has been extensively studied for its role in obesity control and metabolic diseases. This review explores the molecular characteristics of CLA, its metabolic pathways, and its inconsistent effects on lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, energy expenditure, and inflammation. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that CLA may promote fat oxidation and modulate adipocyte function; however, inconsistent findings highlight dose-dependent outcomes and individual variability in response. The dual nature of CLA, showing both beneficial and adverse effects, raises questions about its long-term safety and efficacy. This review critically examines CLA's molecular role in obesity and metabolic regulation, providing insights into its therapeutic promise and limitations. Future research should focus on personalized approaches to CLA supplementation, considering genetic and lifestyle factors for tailored nutritional guidance.

AB - Conjugated Linoleic Acid (cis-9, trans-11, CLA)/(trans-10, cis-12, CLA) has been extensively studied for its role in obesity control and metabolic diseases. This review explores the molecular characteristics of CLA, its metabolic pathways, and its inconsistent effects on lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, energy expenditure, and inflammation. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that CLA may promote fat oxidation and modulate adipocyte function; however, inconsistent findings highlight dose-dependent outcomes and individual variability in response. The dual nature of CLA, showing both beneficial and adverse effects, raises questions about its long-term safety and efficacy. This review critically examines CLA's molecular role in obesity and metabolic regulation, providing insights into its therapeutic promise and limitations. Future research should focus on personalized approaches to CLA supplementation, considering genetic and lifestyle factors for tailored nutritional guidance.

KW - conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11, CLA)/(trans-10, cis-12, CLA)

KW - insulin sensitivity

KW - lipid metabolism

KW - metabolic disorders

KW - obesity

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105011184294

U2 - 10.1002/fsn3.70582

DO - 10.1002/fsn3.70582

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:105011184294

SN - 2048-7177

VL - 13

JO - Food Science and Nutrition

JF - Food Science and Nutrition

IS - 7

M1 - e70582

ER -

The Dual Role of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Obesity and Metabolic Disorders

Abstract

Keywords

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