Our beef that is flax fed is fed 10% flax dry matter
basis the last 70 days prior to harvest. Nebraska’s Finest Meats know that our
customers are the very finest and it is our responsibility to provide them with
a product that will keep them healthy. We can help you provide your diet with
heart healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and high the CLAs you need. We believe with
the proper Omega-3 acids and CLAs in your diet you will lower your bad
cholesterol and improve your immune system.
Eric Berg, University of Missouri Meat Scientist, says consumers
have learned there are categories for “good” and “bad” dietary fat. “We also
learned that certain types of fat are ‘essential.’ These essential fatty acids
must be consumed from the diet we eat since the body cannot create them
internally,” he says. Berg explains that cattle are natural plant eaters. The
seed from the grass plant flax is a well-known source of essential Omega-3
fatty acids. The Omega-3 fatty acids, by name, are alpha linoleic acid (ALA),
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA, the most
recognized Omega-3, is found in high levels within flaxseed and can be used by
the body to create EPA and DHA. Flaxseed makes a good cattle feed because it is
highly digestible, protein-rich, and energy-dense.
In a research project, Fred Martz at the University of Missouri,
Division of Animal Science did a research project that verified the following
about Omega-3 fatty acids, and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs): Scientific
research shows that CLA and Omega-3, when consumed by humans in adequate
amounts gives protection against cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and
obesity. In general the mechanism of protection is thought to be that these
compounds: CLA and the proper balance of Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are
anti-inflammatory and that the triggering mechanism of especially cancer and
heart disease is an inflammatory agent (Weiss et al, 2004a; Bauman
et al, 2004b).
Relatively low omega-6 fatty acids in the human diet are thought
to deter atherosclerosis, (plaque formation in arteries). The proper ratio,
according to the American Heart Institute, of omega-6 and Omega-3 is in the
range of 1:1 to 3:1. Pasture finished beef is commonly in this range.
The consumption of CLA has been shown to give protection against
obesity but the magnitude of protection was not as great as first thought.
Thus, any dietary recommendation to consume adequate amounts of CLA also needs
to be accompanied with adequate exercise programs to maintain optimal body
weight.
Research
Research done at Kansas State University (KSU) fed steers a
finishing ration of 10% flax in a dry matter ration and compared them to a
controlled group and found that 10% ground flaxseed in beef feed improves the Omega-3
fatty acids. “This work revealed a 500%
to 1,200% increase in Omega-3 fatty acids in the meat from cattle fed flax,”
says Jim Drouillard, KSU animal scientist.
According to research, James Drouillard PHD at Kansas State, who
routinely tests omega 3 and omega-6 and CLA levels in meat samples says grain fed
beef has a higher level of Omega-3 and higher CLA than grass fedbeef
provided they are fed 10% rolled or ground flax in their diet 70 days prior to
harvest. Studies confirm that raw beef from cattle finished on pasture contains
3 to 6 times more Omega-3 than beef from cattle in the feedlot.
Additional research looked at what happened when the beef high in Omega-3
fatty acids was fed to rats.“We
wanted to determine if the Omega-3 fatty acid in the beef would accumulate in
the hearts and livers of the rats, and we found the answer was yes,” says Denis
Medeiros, a KSU human nutritionist.
“The diet fed to the animals from the flax-fed
beef had eight times the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids than the controlled
beef,” he says. “In the rats hearts and livers, the amount of Omega-3 fatty
acids doubled in those fed a diet made from flax-fed beef, compared to the
controls. In addition, the total cholesterol levels were unexpectedly lower in
the rats fed the flax-fed beef.”
“Because Omega-3 fatty acids can prevent heart disease, we are
trying to increase the level in the American diet,” Medeiros says.
“We have not done a human study. However, if the rat study is any indication, I
would say that beef containing greater levels of Omega-3 fatty acids can end up
in tissues and theoretically produce a health effect.”
Studies Uncover Benefits
Research suggests flax is as healthy for animals as it is for
humans. It is reported in studies done at Kansas State University (KSU), that cattle
eating flax in the receiving ration showed an improved ability to respond more
readily from the respiratory diseases triggered by stress. In theory, the flax
helps animals recover more quickly because its Omega-3 fatty acids control the
exaggerated inflammation typically triggered by respiratory disease.“The Omega-3
fatty acids in the flax are directly responsible for the synthesis in the
animal of helpful anti-inflammatory compound.”
FLAX BOOST GRADE/YIELD
Besides improving cattle health, feeding flax seems to increase
the beef quality grade. Cattle eating flax in their receiving ration showed as
much as a 33% greater incidence of grading choice or better.
“The improvement in quality grade occurred 50% of the time,”
Drouillard says. “We believe that it can be attributed to the oil components of
the flax.”
Conclusion
Dr. Scott Kronberg an Animal Research scientist and his team at
North Dakota State University have also researched using flax to enrich beef
with Omega-3 fatty acid for about five years. “They are trying to see how much
we’ve increased the Omega-3 fatty acid in the muscle,” states Kronberg. “I
don’t know if or when we’ll see Omega-3-enriched beef sold in standard
supermarket beef displays,” he says. “But I won’t be surprised if we see this
in five to 10 years.
We at
Nebraska’s Finest Meats have readily available the high Omega-3 and CLA beef
right now. Many times grass fed beef has a different taste that people don’t
care for. We havea higher Omega-3 and higher CLA beef than that of grass fed beef
that tastes the same as the good corn fed beef we love.
Our beef contains a
higher concentration of monounsaturated fat relative to saturated fat, which
the American Heart Association notes can lead to lower cholesterol, the
prevention of coronary heart disease, and weight loss and is a significant
source of oleic acid – the compound in olive oil that the USDA touts as “good
for the heart.” Our flax feed beef provides Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA),
which helps the immune system and can reduce the risk of Type II Diabetes. Not
only is our beef dry aged, it is well marbled giving it that rich flavor, as
well as juiciness and tenderness throughout making it not only the tastiest but
also the healthiest.
Sources
for this Article:
A.) Weiss, M.F.A. Martz and C.L. Lorenzen. 2004a.
Review: Conjugated Linoleic Acid: CLA
B.) Bauman, D. E. J. W. Perfield II, and A. L. Lock. 2004b.
Effect of trans fatty acids…and their impact on human health. Proceedings of
the 19th annual Southwest Nutrition & Management Conference,
Det. Of Animal Sciences, University of Arizona, Tuscon, Arizona, Arizona pp
41-52
C.)
SUCCESSFUL FARMING MARCH 2007/BONUS
D.) French, P.C. Stanton, F. Lawless, E. G. O’Riodan, F. J.
Caffrey, and A. P. Moloney. 2000. Fatty acid composition, including
conjugated linoleic acid, of intramuscular fat…J. Anim. Sci. 78:2849-2855.
E.) Parodi, P. W. 1994. Conjugated linoleic acid: An
anticarcinogenic fatty acid Aust. J. Dairy Technol. 49:93.
F.) Turpeinen, A. M., M. Mutanen, A. Aro, I. Salminen, S. Basu,
D. L. Palmquist, and J.M. Griinari. 2002. Bioconversion of vaccenic acid to
conjugated linoleic acid in humans. Am. J. Clin. Nutri. 73:504.
G.) IP, C., J.A. Scimeca, and H.J. Thompson. 1994. A
powerful anti-carcinogen from animal sources. Cancer 74 (Suppl. 3): 1050