Benefits of Grass Fed Meat:
· Lower Saturated Fat & Total Fat
· Lower Bad Cholesterol (LDL)
· Fewer Calories
· Higher Good Cholesterol (CLA)
· Higher Omega-3’s
. Less Chance of E. coli
. Gluten Free
. No Grain
Grass fed’s benefits compared to grain fed:
. 500% more CLA
. 400% more Vitamin A
. 300% more Vitamin E
. 78% more Beta-Carotene
. 75% more Omega-3
Dr. Tilak Dhiman of Utah State University http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/AG_Beef_2006-03.pdf
Less chance of E. coli:
Studies suggest a link between beef that is finished on grain and the development of a deadlier strain of E. coli. A study done by microbiologists at Cornell University shows when feeding grain in the weeks before slaughter creates a higher level of acid in the colon. This high acid encourages the development of acid resistant strains of E. coli. However, E. coli does occur naturally in our digestive tracts, though our stomach acids cannot always fight these resistant stains. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/281/5383/1666
CLA may be able to defend against cancer.
Conjugated linoleic acids ( CLA ) are found in meat and dairy products derived from ruminants. Ruminants are animals, such as cattle, that have a fore-stomach with four chambers. When ruminants are raised solely on pasture, their milk and meat contain as much as five times more CLA than products from animals fed conventional diets. You would have to eat five times the amount of grainfed meat and diary products to get the same level of protection. In some laboratory studies, a very small percentage of CLA (0.1% total calories) of animals reduced tumor growth. http//www.americangrassfedbeef.com/grass-fed-natural-beef.asp
There is new evidence suggesting that CLA does reduce cancer risk in humans.In a Finnish study, women who had the highest levels of CLA in their diet, had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels of CLA. Switching from grainfed to grassfed meat and dairy products, places women in this lowest risk category.
http://www.americangrassfedbeef.com/grass-fed-natural-beef.asp
Beneficial for Cardiac Health.
Grass fed meat has two to four times more omega 3 fatty acids than grain fed meat. These “good fats” are heart-friendly and brain-friendly. They are necessary in the role of each cell in our body. People with higher amounts of omega 3s in their diet are less likely to have high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat and are 50% less likely to have a heart attack. People are also less likely to suffer from depression, attention deficit disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, or schizophrenia.
http://www.eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm
Additional Online Resources:
Jo Robinson, author and grass-fed proponent’s website, provides extensive information on grassfed products. www.eatwild.com
A great resource for information on all aspects of grass fed. www.americangrassfed.org
Benefits of CLA
http://extension.usu.edu/dairy/files/uploads/htms/cla.htm
Health Benefits of Grass Farming by Jo Robinson
http://www.americangrassfedbeef.com/grass-fed-natural-beef.asp
Information on a PBS documentary on the corn industry
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/kingcorn/cows.html
Michael Pollan, author and teacher. www.michaelpollan.com
Books:
“The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan
“Grassfed to Finish” by Alan Nation
“Why Grassfed is Best!” By Jo Robinnson
“Pasture Perfect” by Jo Robinson
Periodicals:
The Stockman Grass Farmer
http://stockmangrassfarmer.net/
Blogs:
Allan Nation has been the editor of The Stockman Grass Farmer since 1977. He is also the author of eight books including Knowledge Rich Ranching, Quality Pasture and Grassfed to Finish. http://wincustomersusa.com/stockman/index.php