Health Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef

It’s important to remember that food impacts more than just our taste buds. Today, we answer the question: What are the health benefits of grass-fed beef?

Obvious disclaimer:  we are not medical professionals and you should always consult your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet or health regimen.

Grass-fed beef has gone mainstream, and for good reason. Consumers realize that the cost of food goes beyond its price. Grass-fed beef is simply a better, healthier option than conventionally-raised beef.
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Grass-Fed vs. Conventional Beef
Cows are ruminant animals with a unique digestive system. With four stomachs and unique functional properties, cows can do something we can’t: digest cellulose (plants and residues) and convert it to protein. That is, cows are built to eat grass. They’re happy and healthy when they do.

Conventional beef, the kind in most grocery stores, comes from grain-fed cattle that are raised in feedlots. In this environment, there are a few issues:

• Cows are not designed to eat corn or grain.
• After several months of life, conventional cattle eat grain and corn to gain weight  at a lower cost to the rancher.
• This means cows can get sick easier with conditions including liver damage, acidosis and blood disease. These unfortunate cows are often given large doses of preventative antibiotics in their feed.
• Feedlot conditions are stressful and unnatural. Rather than living on pastures, cows are densely packed into close quarters and often in unsanitary conditions.

With these considerations, it’s only logical that grass-fed, pastured cattle produce a superior product.

The Health Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef
When compared to conventionally-raised, grain-fed beef has:

• Fewer calories
• Less overall fat and less saturated fat
• More good fats, including Omega-3s and CLA, and their predecessors
• Higher levels of essential vitamins and minerals, including beta-carotene, Vitamin E, B Vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and potassium
• Lower incidence of bacteria, including E. Coli

Lower in Calories
The amount of fat or calories is not the end-all, be-all when it comes to health. However, many people struggle with weight and associated health conditions. Weight always comes down to calories in vs. calories out. A 6 oz steak from a grass-fed cow can have 100 fewer calories than the same cut from a grain-fed steer. Grass-fed beef can have 1/3 as much fat as conventional beef.

More Good Fat, Less Bad Fat

• Not all fat is created equal. Many of us grew up with the misplaced notion that all fat is bad. Now we know that it’s much more complicated. Fat is actually a critical component to good health.
• Grass-fed beef has a significantly superior fat profile than conventional beef.
  • Grass-fed has lower overall fat content.  It is lower in saturated fat that’s historically linked to heart disease.
  • Grass-fed is higher in the “good” fats. Omega-3s and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). Never heard of it? See a few points lower.
  • Grass-fed beef also has a healthier ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6.

Omega-3
These fatty acids include EPA, DHA, and ALA. Fatty acids cannot be synthesized by our bodies and must be obtained from food. They’re critical to functioning, but also impart significant health benefits. An estimated 40% of Americans don’t get enough Omega-3s.

A diet rich in Omega-3s is linked to lower blood pressure, lower risk of heart attack and cancer, reduced inflammation, and improved conditions in a number of brain issues, including depression, schizophrenia, ADHD, and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Meat from grass-fed animals has 200 to 400% more Omega-3 fatty acids than meat from grain-fed animals. Grass-fed beef has a healthier Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio (2:1 vs. 14:1 for conventional beef. A ratio of 4:1 or lower is ideal).

CLA - Conjugated Linoleic Acid​
Grass-fed beef (and other grass-fed protein) is recognized as the richest known source of CLA, another type of good fat. CLAs are linked to reduced risk of diabetes and reversal of arteriosclerosis, as well as cancer-fighting and anti-obesity mechanisms.

Some studies show that CLA can cause fat loss and improved body composition. Meat from grass-fed animals contains 300 to 500% more CLA than conventionally-raised animals.

Grass-Fed Beef. Skip the Daily Vitamin Supplement

• Most Americans are deficient in Vitamin E, a nutrient linked to lowered risk of heart disease and cancer with positive anti-aging properties. Grass-fed, pastured cattle have 400% more vitamin E than feedlot cattle. 
• Grass-fed beef has a 700% increase in carotene. Carotenes are precursors to Vitamin A, a critical component in multiple systems, including vision, bone growth, reproduction, skin, and immune function.
• "Red Meat" is an important source of essential amino acids, vitamins A, B-6, B-12, D and minerals including iron, zinc and selenium. Mineral content has been found to be higher in grass-fed beef across the board.

Better Choice. Better Health.
Grass-fed beef is not a magic cure. Nothing beats a well rounded diet and regular exercise. We certainly don’t recommend beef at every meal every day!

But given the evidence, it’s clear -- grass-fed beef is simply a better choice for better health.

It’s better for you and it's better for the the animals, the ranchers and the environment.

Thoughts? Questions? Contact us.