Since conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was identified as a principal anticancer component from ground beef in the 1980s, CLA research has discovered that CLA has a wide range of biologically beneficial effects. Clinical studies with CLA are on the rise, and it is apparent that CLA may not be as effective in humans as in rodents, in particular its anti-obesity aspect. In addition, research with regard to other conjugated fatty acids as well as CLA metabolites is still in its infancy. Investigation of bioactivities for other conjugated fatty acids and CLA metabolites may help to extend the understanding of CLA and its mechanisms of actions. This may pose an opportunity to use CLA more efficiently and expand the future use of other conjugated fatty acids as pharmacological agents to assist current treatments.