A grass fed short course….
….health blogger Dr. Joseph Mercola sums up a study by Clemson University and the USDA on the benefits of grass fed beef:
A joint effort between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Clemson University researchers determined a total of 10 key areas where grass-fed is better than grain-fed beef for human health. In a side-by-side comparison, they determined that grass-fed beef was:
- Lower in total fat
- Higher in beta-carotene
- Higher in vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
- Higher in the B-vitamins thiamin and riboflavin
- Higher in the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium
- Higher in total omega-3s
- A healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (1.65 versus 4.84)
- Higher in CLA (cis-9 trans-11), a potential cancer fighter
- Higher in vaccenic acid, which can be transformed into CLA
Another troubling aspect of grain-fed cattle involves the well-being of the animal and, consequently, the health effect this has on you. Common consequences among grain-fed cattle include acidosis, liver abscesses, bloating, feedlot polio, and dust pneumonia.
Omitted from the study was any consideration of the way grass fed animals are pastured, in contrast to convention methods. There was no mention of herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics and hormones…oh, and chemical fertilizers….which are as important as the above list.