Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a polyunsaturated fat found in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid found mostly in plant oils. Naturally, CLA is a product of digestion by microbes in the first stomach (rumens) of grass-eating animals such as cows, so is found mainly in grass-fed beef and dairy products.
Conjugated linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid. Diets high in omega-6 tend to be inflammatory, which is why you may have heard to avoid omega-6 rich foods
Benefits:
CLA burns body fat and helps with weight loss
CLA works as a mild appetite suppressant
CLA fights inflammation
CLA boosts immune system
CLA may help prevent cancer
CLA helps in restoring insulin sensitivity in cells of obese individuals and hence can work against diabetes
CLA helps build strong bones
How much CLA is beneficial:
An intake of 1-grams per day seems to exhibit all the health benefits outlined above on an average individual.