Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA is a non-essential fatty acid that may be found in cow and sheep meat, and dairy products. It is known to decrease body fat in obese and overweight people. It works by inhibiting the action of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzyme that is responsible for the transfer of fat from the blood stream to the fats cells. It has powerful anti-carcinogenic properties that fight free radical cells from damaging the cells. It also helps control blood sugar levels. It encourages muscle growth and improves the metabolism which accelerates weight loss. It reduces the risk of heart diseases. It is also an antioxidant.

Linoleic Acid belongs to the group of essential fatty acids; it is an unsaturated omega 6 fatty acid. The Linoleic was derived from the word linon, which means “derived from oil”, “olive” or “relating to oleic acid”. Linoic acid affects the metabolism, aiding it to function efficiently. It helps the glucose to reach the muscles cells so the sugar will be prevented from turning into fat. Fats that enter the cell membranes of the muscles are converted into energy, thus, resulting in more energy and weight loss. Linoleic acid also helps in controlling the cholesterol level and preventing cardiovascular diseases. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Oleic Acid  is also known as the Omega 9 fatty acid. It is a monounsaturated fatty acid present in most natural fats. It is naturally found in avocado fruit, apricot seeds, almonds, olive oils and macadamia nuts. It can also be found in the cocoa butter used for making chocolates. Oleic acid is used to make synthetic cheeses and butters, ice creams, and sodas. It helps maintain cholesterol levels, thus, lowering the risks of heart attack, arteriosclerosis, and other such heart diseases. Oleic acid also aids in repairing cellular and tissue damages caused by free radical damages. It may also help in preventing cancer. It also has antioxidant properties that fights premature aging and maintains the skin’s moisture.

Palmitic Acid is one of the saturated fatty acids containing 16 carbon atoms. It is derived from palm oil, lard, butter and cottonseed oil. Saturated fatty acids are a type of fatty acids that contain only single bonds between carbon atoms. Being the first fatty acid synthesized during lipogenesis, it contributes to the formation of fats, a concentrated source of energy, in the body. There had been many verified documentations and publications about the need of lowering the amount of saturated fat in the diet. Having this, many establishments have switched to using vegetable oils n their food preparation. The effect of dietary saturated fats is that it increases the blood levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol. This in turn enhances the deposition of cholesterol along the arterial walls that may lead to atherosclerosis. Moreover, a recent research led by Stephen C. Benoit of the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, suggested of palmitic acid mediating hypothalamic insulin resistance in rodents. Palmitic acid somehow altered the PKC-? subcellular localization that led to insulin resistance, resulting to high glucose levels in the blood.

Stearic Acid is a saturated fatty acid that occurs in many animal and vegetable fats and oils. Stearic acid is useful as an ingredient in making candles, soaps, plastics, oil pastels and cosmetics, and for softening rubber. Stearic acid is used to harden soaps, particularly those made with vegetable oil. Even though stearic acid is a saturated fat, studies have suggested that it has little effect on blood cholesterol levels, because such a high proportion is converted to oleic acid.