Why Pasture Raised Grass Fed Beef is GOOD for you!
Why Grass Fed and Finished Beef is Good for You?
Before it was associated with heart attacks, high cholesterol and global warming, beef, like wild animal protein, was a wholesome, sought after source of protein and nutrition. And one that supported the evolution of mankind. Over the last 40 to 50 years it has fallen out of favour and been attacked as a source of cancer and heart disease. But hasn’t this really occurred due to the evolution of mass agriculture, that is our societal desire for more and faster? When we peel back the process of raising beef to traditional practices, free roaming, free grazing, hormone and mass antibiotic free, what was always good, natural and healthy remains.
Natural grass fed beef contains, and always has contained many nutritional benefits. These include high levels of anti-oxidants, lower levels of “bad fats” and higher levels of “good fats”. It is a pure unprocessed source of clean protein and don’t forget collagen, all while contributing a lower caloric value than grain fed beef.
Ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6
The good fat vs bad fats means the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids. Although both of these fatty acids are good for you, the human body meets distress when this ratio is out of balance. Our typical western diet of highly inflammatory foods (and therefore not enough anti-inflammatory foods) causes a dangerous imbalance. This imbalance has led to serious health problems including coronary heart disease, autoimmune disorders, increased levels of cancer, asthma, obesity and related diabetic conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases. All of these are derived and fed by the body’s inflammation.
Nutritionists recommend a healthy Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio at approximately 5 to 1. High levels of Omega 3s are found in salmon, dark leafy green vegetables, seeds, walnuts and roots like turmeric, ginger and guess what else? Grass Fed Beef. The presence of Omega 3 in pasture raised beef is strictly due to the diet of the cattle, that is dark leafy green grasses and legumes! Once a beef cow is moved to a grain diet the presence of Omega 3s is drastically reduced. Grass Fed has been measured to contain up to five times the amount of heart-healthy omega 3 acids, with a 3:1 ratio of Omega 6, as compared to as much as 20-1 for grain finished beef.
Other Vitamins and Minerals
Grass Fed beef, like all beef is also loaded with vitamins and minerals including vitamin B, as much as 4 times higher levels of Vitamin E and an excellent clean source of L-Glutamine, Zinc, Selenium, Potassium, Beta-carotene and bio-available iron.
Cancer fighting and weight loss supporting properties:
Additional benefits of Grass Fed beef are reported in the measured levels of Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLAs). CLAs are a family of fatty acids originating only in animal products. Our body cannot create them, but we can get them from both pasture raised dairy and meat. They are a relatively newly discovered “good fat” and studies are reporting these to be a possibly cancer fighter, with studies in place that show increased levels have slowed tumour growth and blocked all 3 stages of cancer. In addition there is evidence CLAs have the ability to increase one’s basal metabolic rate and therefore when included in a balanced diet and exercise regime can aid in weight loss.
Clean Mindful Eating
If you have been following Noom, Keto or a paleo diet you will see Grass Fed beef as a recommended source of clean lean protein. And the reason? The Omega ratio, the increased presence of CLAs and the lower caloric content. Mindful eating? Lets talk about portion control. Grass Fed beef cuts are typically 30% smaller than commercial beef cuts, due to the absence of hormones and grain based finishing. This provides a natural and simple portion control.
Suffering from arthritis, high cholesterol, Chronic Fatigue, Celiac, or Crohn’s disease? Foods can heal, and many nutritionists, dieticians and naturopaths prescribe clean well balanced natural diets which include Grass Fed beef for the anti-inflammatory and healing properties. And besides all of this, grass fed beef tastes great!
Stay tuned for why Grass Fed beef raised through regenerative agriculture is actually better for the planet than a world without sustainably raised animal protein.
Sources:
Eatwild.com
SacredCow.info
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Chicago