Probl Hig Epidemiol 2015, 96(2): 377-386pl

Characteristics of health-promoting fatty acids of milk fat

Ewa Rutkowska ^1/, Krzysztof Tambor ^1/, Jarosława Rutkowska ^1/, Andrzej Stołyhwo ^2/

1/ Wydział Nauk o Żywieniu Człowieka i Konsumpcji, Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie
2/ Bydgoska Szkoła Wyższa

Summary
Milk fat is a complicated mixture of numerous fatty acids (FA) of different carbon numbers and varying degrees of unsaturation. Many of them exhibit special biological properties and are nutritionally valuable for consumer health. Main isomer of the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) C18:2 cis-9 trans-11 has been shown to have anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventing qualities. Bovine milk fat is also an important source of short- and medium chain FA (SCSFA) which are essential for the normal structure and function of the colonic epithelium and may have therapeutic potential in certain colonic diseases. Now appreciated is the antitumor effect of vaccenic acid - trans-11C18:1 and FA of the odd- and branched chain FA group (OBCFA). This paper reviews recent literature regarding the health-promoting effects of FA of milk fat on the human organs.

Key words:  milk fat, fatty acids, health-promoting properties