For those who enjoy and can tolerate meat in your diet, consider this…
by Eileen Johnson, RN
Inflammation Matters ( part 8 )
Meats can be a great source of inflammatory fats and chemicals – so much so that healthy vegetarians tend to have a much lower rate of cardiovascular disease. But there is a very big caveat. The way in which meat is raised influences whether it becomes a promoter of inflammation or a heart healthy food.
The antioxidant content of meat from game animals and pasture or grass fed animals is much higher than commercially raised meats. This may include, because of the green grasses the animals are eating, higher amounts of Vitamins E and the Carotenoids. The cardiovascular system relies on antioxidants to chelate and eliminate free radicals produced in everyday metabolism of the cells, thereby keeping the heart and blood vessels healthy.
Eating the nutrient dense grasses and plants in the pasture also produces a meat that is higher in omega 3 fatty acids. Some of the Valley Natural Foods meat producers actually report that their meats are higher in Omega 3 fatty acids than fish. Many commercially raised meats are fed omega 6 rich corn. Remember that omega 6 oils tend to be inflammatory.
Aerobic, free range animals naturally have less of the type of fat that tends to be unhealthy for the cardiovascular system and that can be hard to digest. Pasture raised animals do produce a meat that is richer in a healthy fat and important antioxidant called CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid. Jo Robinson, author of “Pasture Perfect” reports “ruminant” animals (including cattle, dairy cows, goats, bison, sheep, deer and elk) that are exclusively raised on grass have meat with a CLA content that is 2-5 times higher than commercial meats. CLA helps the body to metabolize fats better and seems to improve muscle size. The FDA web site reports a study using Bio Impedence Assessment that showed improved muscle weight in those using CLA supplementation. CLA is also seen as a very important antioxidant that could prove useful in fighting heart disease and certain cancers.
Eileen Johnson, RN on staff at Valley Natural Foods can be reached directly at ejohnson@valleynaturalfoods.com. She offers free 20-minute consultations. Ask her about the FirstLine Therapy program. Check her availability or schedule a visit by calling customer service at 952-891-1212, #221.
