9/3/98

Contacts:
F.C. Parrish, Animal Science, ISU, (515) 294-3280
Don Beitz, Animal Science, ISU (515) 294-5626
Karen Bolluyt, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-3701

PROMISE OF CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID (CLA) EXPLORED AT ISU

AMES -- Researchers at a Sept. 14 mini-symposium at Iowa State University will share their discoveries regarding a promising new substance (conjugated linoleic acid or "CLA") that may be beneficial in fighting cancer, coronary heart disease, and obesity. CLA also seems to promise positive effects on livestock production -- both on productivity and efficiency and on the nutritional quality of animal foods.

Presenters at the symposium, in addition to Iowa State University experts in animal science and human nutrition, include Michael Pariza, the Wisconsin scientist who discovered the beneficial effects of CLA while trying to identify harmful compounds formed when meat is charred.

Other speakers are Mark Cook, also from the University of Wisconsin, who will discuss the effects of CLA on growth and immune systems; Clement IP, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, whose topic is the effects of CLA on cancer; and David Kritchevsaky, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, who will describe his research on the effects of CLA on the cardio-vascular system.

Parrish noted that there is a great deal of excitement about the potential of CLA to improve human health and animal agriculture. The substance is available in health food stores and occurs naturally in some foods, milk fat being the most concentrated food source.

The symposium will be held in the Campanile Room, Memorial Union from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. For more information, contact F.C. Parrish, conference organizer, at (515) 294-3280.

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