Lipids in Ruminant Nutrition and Its Effect on Human Health

Abstract

Scientific evidence and nutritional guidelines recommend a reduction in total fat intake, particularly of saturated fatty acids, which are associated with an increased risk of obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and cancer. Nutritionists recommend a higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially n-3 PUFA at the expense of n-6 PUFA. Besides the beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acids on human health, the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers have attracted increased attention as a result of their health promoting biological properties. As milk and meat are the main sources of CLA for human consumption, increasing such important nutrient in animal products is strongly recommended. Fat supplementation is one of the methods of increasing PUFA content in ruminant products, and it has been shown that PUFA can be increased in milk by supplementation with vegetable oils and oil seeds. Vegetable oils as equivalent to oilseeds show similar effects on CLA content in ruminant products.