Nutritional
and Health
Considerations
of Grass-Fed Beef
in the
Western Diet
by Loren Cordain, Ph.D.
Summary by
Robert L. Roth, BS, MS, MT(ASCP)
Owner of Rothchild’s Farm Inc.
I
n the 1980’s a series of key publications in mainstream (30% body fat) steers being brought to processing in 14 months.
medical and nutrition journals triggered an increased aware- A Progressive Farmers article in May of 2004 stated that 99%
ness of the relevance of ancestral human diets to the health of all beef consumed in the U.S. is produced from grain-fed,
and well being of contemporary people. Meanwhile, techno- feedlot cattle. Grass fed beef varies significantly enough to
logical development of the early and mid 19th century allowed warrant everyone evaluating it for themselves. Listed below are
for increased grain harvests along with more efficient transpor- the advantages of grass fed beef:
tation of grain and cattle. This lead to the science of rapidly
fattening cattle in feedlots thus reducing ‘time to market’ while Nutrient Grass Feed Lot
enhancing ‘marbled meat.’ Omega-3 fatty acids Higher Lower
Also at this time was the existence of wild animals and free Omega-6 fatty acids Lower Higher
ranging—or pasture fed—cattle, which rarely displayed this Omega-6/ Omega-3 ratio Lower Higher
trait. The marbled meats result from excessive triglycerol ac- Long chain fatty acids
cumulation in muscle and intrafasicular adipocytes. Such meat (Both Omega-3 andOmega-6) Higher Lower
typically has greatly increased total and saturated fatty acid Fat content Lower Higher
contents, reduced protein (by energy), a lower proportion of Saturated fatty acids Lower Higher
omega 3 fatty acids, higher omega 6 fatty acids, higher omega P/S Ratio Higher Lower
6/ omega 3 fatty acid ratio, and lower levels of vitamin E,C, & Conjugated linoleic acid Higher Lower
Beta Carotene. Vitamin E Higher Lower
Vitamin C Higher Lower
Nutritional Differences Beta carotene Higher Lower
Modern feed lots emerged with characteristically obese Protein content Higher Lower
Linda Gail Cash,
Natural
Licensed Professional Counselor (#4114)
Grass Fed
Angus Beef
Therapy for Individuals, Families, Couples
No added hormones,
&OIBODF
:PVS

-JGF

5ISPVHI
steroids, antibiotics
&GGFDUJWF
5IFSBQJFT
336-327-9020
rothchildsfarm@gmail.com
or chemicals

8JOUFSCFMM
%SJWF
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#VSMJOHUPO

/$
Find us at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

t
MDBTI!USJBESSDPN
on Yanceyville Street every Saturday.
www.lindagailcashlpc.com
FEBRUARY 2010
27
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