Vaccenic acid is a trans fat found in the fat of ruminants and in dairy products. Its IUPAC name is (E)-11-octadecenoic acid, and its lipid shorthand name is 18:1 trans-11. The name was derived from the Latin vacca (cow).[1] Vaccenic acid was discovered in 1928 in animal fats and butter. It is the main trans fatty acid isomer present in milk fat.[1] Mammals convert it into rumenic acid, a conjugated linoleic acid,[2][3] where it shows anticarcinogenic properties.[4] Its stereoisomer, cis-vaccenic acid is an omega-7 fatty acid found in Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) oil.[5] Its IUPAC name is (Z)-11-octadecenoic acid, and its lipid shorthand name is 18:1 cis-11. HealthA 2008 study at the University of Alberta suggests that vaccenic acid feeding in rats over 16 weeks resulted in lowered total cholesterol, lowered LDL cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels. The researchers are preparing to conduct further research, including human clinical trials.[6] Old person smellIt has been suggested that omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids, such as palmitoleic acid and vaccenic acid, found on the skin surface may be the cause of the phenomenon commonly known as old person smell.[7] References
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