We don’t just want to meet the basic standards–we're driven to continually raise the bar. That's why we embarked on a journey to test our grass-fed, pastured meat, demonstrating its superior quality. While we already understand the health and happiness benefits of pasture-raised and grass-fed animals, we were eager to delve deeper into how the nutrients they consume translate into the meat you enjoy from our family farms.
Our focus for this test? Omega-3 fatty acids. Renowned for their myriad health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and improving mental health, omega-3s serve as an excellent indicator of the nutritional value of our meat.
Experts recommend daily omega-3 (EPA and DHA) intake between 250-2000mg for optimal health. Shockingly, an estimated 91% of Americans fall short in meeting this requirement, a deficiency that's been linked to premature death.
To conduct our analysis, we partnered with Lipid Technologies, a leading facility specializing in omega-3 testing, headed by Dr. Doug Bibus. Dr. Bibus brings a wealth of expertise to the table, honed during his tenure in the academic lab of Dr. Ralph T. Holman, the pioneer who coined the term 'omega-3'. Employing traditional methods involving acid hydrolysis and gas chromatography, we meticulously analyzed fatty acids, comparing them to authentic standards. The results, presented in milligrams per 100-gram serving, provide concrete evidence of the nutritional superiority of our grass-fed, pastured meat.
Here are the results from Dr. Bibus testing Berkeley Beef…
The findings from our recent study underscore the nutritional superiority of our pasture-raised Berkeley Beef, showcasing notably elevated levels of omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, the long-chain omega-3s. As you're likely aware, our commitment to pasture-raising and grass-feeding all our animals is integral to this study's significance.
Opting for grass-fed protein sources offers a host of nutritional benefits, with omega-3 content being a standout feature. While omega-3 dietary supplements are an option, we advocate for food-based solutions, and our meats emerge as an exceptional dietary choice for obtaining omega-3s.
Here’s a breakdown of why Berkeley Beef is healthier:
- Diverse grasslands are typically composed of various grasses and plants. Grazing ruminant animals, such as beef cattle, consume and ferment these grasses and fibers, transforming them into metabolic substrates that they can digest. Interestingly, cows feed the bacteria in their stomachs indigestible fibers, which the bacteria then convert into fatty acids, enabling the cows to absorb them.
- Berkeley Beef’s ribeyes had 104mg of total Omega-3 per 100g serving compared to 32mg for conventional beef
- Long-chain omega-3 comprised 56mg in grass-fed beef versus 11mg of long-chain omega 3 was reported for conventional beef
- A 100g serving of grass-fed beef containing 56mg of long-chain omega 3 provides about 22% of the threshold level of 250mg proposed by experts as the threshold level for cardio-protection
We are thrilled with these results, which affirm our steadfast commitment to pasture-raising all our animals. The elevated levels of healthy, beneficial fats reinforce our belief in the superiority of real meat, raised with care. This study serves as scientific validation that meat from animals raised the right way truly is the better choice for you!
Sources
Mozaffarian D1, Wu JH. Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: effects on risk factors, molecular pathways, and clinical events. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2011 Nov 8;58(20):2047-67.
Turner TD1, Mapiye C, Aalhus JL, Beaulieu AD, Patience JF, Zijlstra RT, Dugan ME. Flaxseed fed pork: n-3 fatty acid enrichment and contribution to dietary recommendations. Meat Sci. 2014 Jan;96(1):541-7. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2013.08.021. Epub 2013 Aug 19.