In addition to being higher in omega-3s, CLA, and beta-carotene, grassfed beef is much higher in vitamin E. The graph below shows vitamin E levels in meat from: 1) feedlot cattle, 2) feedlot cattle given high dose supplements of vitamin E (1,000 IU per day), and 3) cattle raised on fresh pasture with no added supplements. The meat from the pastured cattle is four times higher in vitamin E than the meat from the feedlot cattle and, interestingly, almost twice as high as the meat from the feedlot cattle given vitamin E supplements.read more »
A herd of pigs that had not been exposed to antibiotics for 126 months was divided into two groups and either housed on pasture or in standard indoor units. Over a 20-month period, fecal coliforms from both groups of pigs were tested for resistance to standard antibiotics. Samples taken from the pastured pigs were far less likely to be antibiotic resistant.read more »
Researchers have been laboring diligently to try to increase the omega-3 content of beef. In a 1998 study, letting cattle forage on fresh pasture alone resulted in higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than feeding them a diet that contained 10% fishmeal for 168 days.
For more information, see: I.B. Mandell et al, The Return of Omega-3 Fatty Acids into the Food Supply, World Rev Nutr Diet, 83:144-59, 1998.
Once again, Nature's original plan is proving to be the better plan.
Raising dairy cows on fresh pasture instead of a standard dairy diet increases the CLA content of their milk five-fold. Now there is some evidence that grazing on organic pasture may boost the CLA even further. In a study conducted in Germany, cows on organic pasture had almost twice as much CLA as those grazing on a nearby, non-organic farm. More research is needed.
(Jahreis, G. et al. (1997). "Conjugated linoleic acid in milk fat: high variation depending on production system." Nutrition Research 17(9): 1479-1484.)
CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is highest in products from grazing animals on a diet of fresh pasture, and it is very low in non-ruminants such as chickens and pigs. But turkeys appear to be an exception, having about 2.5 mg of CLA per gram of fat. (For comparison, chickens have 0.9 and pigs 0.6 mg. per gram of fat.) To date, no one has tested the CLA content of turkeys raised on pasture rather than in confinement, an experiment that begs to be done. It is possible that turkeys with a significant amount of greens in their diet will have even more CLA.read more »
According to this North Carolina study, lambs raised on alfalfa pasture had "higher carcass weight average dressing percentage, yield grade and carcass value (P<<.05) than those fed on the grain-based ration. . . The high quality carcasses were produced at a much reduced cost as compared to traditional feeding management." All told, the net return for the lambs raised on pasture was $15.97/head higher. For more details, read Use Of Alfalfa Pasture For Finishing Lambs.read more »
All cheese made from the milk of grassfed cows is rich in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). However, the cheese making process itself can increase or decrease this amount. In a comprehensive survey, the highest amounts of CLA were found in soft cheeses aged approximately three months. Longer aging periods reduced this highly desirable fat.
(Chin, S. F. et al (1992)). "Dietary Sources of Conjugated Dienoic Isomers of Linoleic Acid, a Newly Recognized Class of Anticarcinogens." J of Food Composition 5: 185-97.)
The chart below shows the relative amounts of vitamin E in corn and grass. As you can see, when animals are raised on fresh pasture, they get considerably more of this important vitamin. When consumers choose grassfed products, they, too get an extra helping of this immune-boosting, age-defying antioxidant. To learn more, read "Vitamin E Requirements for Protection of Dairy Cows Against Infections at Parturition."
Sometimes it helps to look at an issue from the other side of the fence. Here's a paragraph excerpted from an on-line publication of the beef industry about the economic benefits of implanted synthetic hormones. "'There's probably nothing else we can do chute-side with a critter that is as economically important as a quality implant job,' says Gerry Kuhl, extension feedlot specialist at Kansas State University (KSU). For round-numbers perspective, Kuhl explains implanting calves adds 15-25 lbs. to weaning weight.read more »
Cutting back on egg consumption has been widely recommended as a way to lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent coronary heart disease. Is this valid advice? Recently, researchers took a close look at the egg-eating habits and heart health of 118,000 men and women.read more »
The chart below shows the relative amounts of vitamin E in corn and grass. As you can see, when animals are raised on fresh pasture, they get considerably more of this important vitamin. When consumers choose grassfed products, they, too get an extra helping of this immune-boosting, age-defying antioxidant. To learn more, read "Vitamin E Requirements for Protection of Dairy Cows Against Infections at Parturition."
