When it comes to heart health, we all try to make sound choices. We have been told that moderation in beef consumption is important, but have you considered the kind of beef you are eating may play a big role as well? Cattle raised on commercial feed lots and grass fed beef have major differences. Not only are the animals themselves living a better life, and eating the food that nature intended, but we also gain from additional vital nutrients that are not found in beef in commercial lots.
Grass fed beef is high in Omega 3 fatty acids. These help to lower bad cholesterol. With some people becoming concerned about the mercury in the fish we eat, grass fed beef is a good alternative. The American Heart Association recommends that we eat Omega 3 rich foods at least twice a week.
Grass fed beef is also lower in calories due to its lower fat content. Grain fed beef can have up to 50 percent more saturated fat, because they are fed a diet of mostly grain, such as corn. Because the grass fed beef has less fat, you are eating less fat. Even some organic raised beef is fed organic grain in their diet, making grass fed the better choice.
Vitamins B6 and B12 can be lowered by eating grass fed beef. These vitamins produce an amino acid that is called homocysteine that protects the arteries and blood vessels from hardening. These vitamins are higher in grass fed beef than other types of beef.
To get higher amounts of vitamin E, grass fed beef is the best choice. It has twice the amount of vitamin E even though most feed lots add supplements to grain fed beef diets. A 1993 study indicated that vitamin E can lower the risk of heart disease by up to 40 percent.
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