HEALTHY FAT
Apart from Pasture raised meat being free from antibiotics, growth hormones, steroids, pesticides, fillers, additives, preservatives and MSG, the next biggest health advantage from 100% pure Pasture raised beef, is the higher quality of fat. Pasture raised beef contains increased amounts of healthy Omega-3 fats and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), whilst also containing less overall fat.
DISEASE FIGHTING CAROTENOIDS
Compared to grains, grass contain a much higher content of important disease-fighting phytonutrients like carotenoids. Pasture raised cows incorporate significantly higher amounts of two important carotenoids— beta-carotene and lutein— into their muscle tissue (compared to Grainfed animals). Beta-carotene concentrations, for example, are 7 times higher in Pasture raised beef.
MORE VITAMIN E
Pasture raised beef contains an average of three times more vitamin E than Grainfed beef. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant for fighting cancer and improving heart health as well as vision.
MORE B VITAMINS
Concentrations of energy-producing B vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin B12 have all been found to be higher in
Pasture raised beef in comparison to Grainfed beef.
LESS TOTAL FAT
A Pasture raised strip steak trimmed of all external fat contains an average of 2.8% total fat compared to 4.4% total fat in the same conventional cut trimmed of external fat. This is nearly twice as much total fat in the conventional steak, of which the fat quality is not nearly as healthy as the Pasture raised fat.
MORE OMEGA 3'S
Pasture raised beef contains considerably higher levels of ALA (Alpha linolenic acid), the same essential fatty acid found in flax, as well as
EPA ( eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the same omega-3’s found in oily fish. These three essential fatty acids are necessary for good health, especially cardiovascular and brain health.
BETTER OMEGA 3 TO 6 RATIO
Scientists believe Omega-6s are pro-inflammatory, while Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory. The standard American diet, however, contains 11 to 30 times more Omega-6 fatty acids than Omega-3, contributing to the epidemic of chronic inflammation-related diseases. The average Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio of Pasture raised beef is quite healthy at 1.53, while Grainfed beef ratios come in at a staggering 7.65!
MORE CLA
Pasture raised beef contains two to three times more CLA than that of non-Pasture raised beef. CLA is a unique fatty acid associated with possible health promoting effects in obesity, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, diabetes, insulin resistance, inflammation, and various types of cancer, especially breast cancer.
CLEANER MEAT
Besides the health benefits, Pasture raised beef offers additional advantages over conventional beef. It is healthier for cattle to eat grass and not much else and therefore decreases the need for treatment with antibiotics. It is also better for the planet, especially in terms of reduced greenhouse gas production and less reliance on petrochemicals.
For all these reasons and more, health-conscious and earth-conscious meat eaters should seek out 100% Pasture raised beef! There are plenty of health-promoting diets that incorporate lean cuts of Pasture raised beef.
