Grass Fed, Pasture Finished Facts

 

Pasture Raised and Finished Beef is More Nutrient Dense

Animals that spend their lives in a pasture-based system, mimicking the natural model are healthier, and more disease resistance. Research has also found that beef finished on live growing, biodiverse forage is more nutrient dense than beef finished on monocultures such as haylage and silage.  In an article published on Frontiers in Nutrition, authors Frederick Provenza, Scott Kronberg, and Pablo Grgorini state “Circumstantial evidence supports the hypothesis that phytochemical richness of herbivore diets enhances biochemical richness of meat and dairy, which is linked with human and environmental health.”..  “phytochemicals in herbivore diets protect meat and dairy from protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation that cause low-grade systemic inflammation implicated in heart disease and cancer in humans.”  The authors go on to argue that the nutritional studies that are critical of red meat consumption do not discriminate among meats from livestock fed high-grain rations as opposed to livestock foraging on landscapes of increasing phytochemical richness. (1)

 

Pasture Finished,  It’s Good for the Environment

Pasture based systems using the natural model have a positive effect on the environment and greenhouse gas emissions when compared to Feed Lots and Conventional pasture practices. (1)

 

Fights Inflammation and aids in chronic inflammatory disease prevention

Increased intake of Omega 3 reduces inflammation and aids in the prevention of Inflammatory diseases. (2)

Increased ratios of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids contribute to inflammatory disease such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and many types of cancer.  An article on Helathline.com sites that the Omega 6 (n-6 PUFA) promote inflammation, which is necessary for fighting infection and injuries but excessive build up of Omega 6 can lead to chronic inflammation.  Chronic inflammation may be one of the leading causes in many diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and many types of cancer. (3)

 

Full of the Good Fats Our Ancestors Ate

Grass fed beef has the recommended Omega 6 to Omega 3 essential fatty acid ratio to aid in disease prevention.  The recommended ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids for a healthy diet is 1 to 4 times Omega 6 to Omega 3 or at the highest 4-1. (4)

Grass fed O6 to O3 =1.5-1

Grain Fed O6 to O3 = 7.65-1

Humans evolved eating a diet of Omega 6 to Omega 3 essential fatty acids of 1-1.  Today the average western diet is 15-1 promoting pathogens of many diseases such as  cardiovascular diseasecancerosteoporosis, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases(5)

 

Packs a Punch for Good Health

Grass fed beef is higher in cancer fighting antioxidants, vitamin A and E than grain fed beef. (4)

 

Leaner than Turkey and Chicken

Grass fed beef has a cholesterol level lower than, turkey, pork, and chicken and can therefore be used interchangeable with white meats to reduce cholesterol levels. (4)