"My understanding is that most of the fats in cattle are the kind with few, if any, health benefits."

"In a recent article, Kelley Herring recommended grass-fed beef as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. I had been told that the bacteria that help cattle digest the grasses they eat saturate most of the fatty acids they eat, and preferentially saturate the omega-3s. In other words, my understanding is that most of the unsaturated fats in cattle are omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids (the kind with few, if any, health benefits). Is my information mistaken?"

Jim S.
Raleigh, NC

Dear Jim,

When it comes to beef, the grass is definitely greener on the pasture-fed side.

Meat from grass-fed beef contains two to four times the omega-3 fatty acids than its grain-fed counterparts. That's because 60 percent of the fats in grass are omega-3s.

Dr. Loren Cordain, PhD, author of The Paleo Diet and a professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Colorado State University, has done quite a bit of research on the lipid composition of grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef. You see, wild ruminants (including elk, deer, buffalo, and antelope) represented the primary fat source for humans prior to the development of agriculture. Because our genes haven't changed much since the days of our paleo ancestors, Dr. Cordain holds that this dietary deviation - due to a shift to unnatural farming practices - has been the root of chronic disease. I strongly agree!

Dr. Cordain and his group evaluated the lipid makeup of muscle meats and other tissues of wild ruminants as well as those of grass-fed and grain-fed cattle. They found that the lipid composition of wild ruminants was quite similar to that of grass-fed beef, but notably dissimilar to the unhealthy lipid makeup of grain-fed beef.

When it comes to eating higher on the food chain, there are two things to think about: the animal's environment and its diet. If you always opt for the more natural method (grass-grazers vs. corn eaters; wild vs. farmed; free-range vs. caged; pesticide-free vs. sprayed), you're sure to have a healthier, more nutritious diet.

- Kelley Herring

[Ed. Note: In a world full of information, it can be difficult to make the "right" choices when it comes to your health. Be sure to check out Kelley's website, HealingGourmet.com, for delicious and healthy recipes.]
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This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2396, 07-01-08], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.