Health Benefits of Grass Fed Beef

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Flying J Farms 5329 Van Fossen Road , Johnstown, OH 43031 telephone 740-967-4030

Omega-3

There is a growing body of research that shows the health benefits of grass-fed beef as opposed to the conventional beef. Jo Robinson, in her book, Why Grass-Fed is Best describes some of this research that shows that grass-fed beef has a fairly high level of omega-3 that is eliminated almost entirely by the process of grain feeding. Omega-3 is one of the essential fats that our bodies need for proper development. Every cell in your body depends on omega-3. Adequate amounts of omega-3 lowers the risk of mental disorder and depression.

People with diets rich in omega-3 are less likely to have high blood pressure or irregular heart rhythms. They are half as likely to die of heart attack or stroke.

C/L/A

Beef is the richest source of another good fat called C/L/A or “conjugated linoleic acid”. The amount of this fat in the meat is highly dependent on the diet of the cow. Grass-fed cows have 4 to 5 times as much C/L/A as grain-fed cows. Robinson (2000) reports that research since 1987 has shown that C/L/A has enormous health benefits including reducing the risk of cancer, obesity, diabetes and several immune disorders. Studies on rats and on humans have

shown that C/L/A has the amazing result that it causes the body to convert fat into muscle! C/L/A, available in pill form in health food stores, is being taken by athletes to reduce weight and improve performance. However, Robinson says it is far more effective taken in food. Various research groups have tried to increase the amount of C/L/A in beef and dairy by feeding various other (patentable) diets but none have come close to God’s diet for cows – grass! I guess no company will be able to get rich on that one.

Beta-Carotene

You may not have thought of beef as a source of beta-carotene because it has been so long since we grew beef on grass. Grass-fed beef is rich in beta-carotene, a vitamin associated with a lower risk of cancer and heart disease. Grass contains more beta-carotene than grain so higher levels are found in grass-fed beef. Take the beef off the grass and their beta-carotene is decreased.

Fat and Taste in Grass-Fed Local Beef

Because of higher levels of beta-carotene, the fat in grass-fed beef has a richer, more creamy appearance to it than the pale (white) color of grain-fed beef that shows a deficiency in vitamins.

“The average, healthy, well-adjusted adult gets up at seven-thirty in the morning feeling just plain terrible. “

Jean Kerr