How do the fatty acid levels in grass-fed beef and milk compare with levels found in other foods, such as fish?
On a per serving basis, they tend to be lower. For example, the average amount of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA in a serving of wild salmon is about 1,400 mg, while in our study the average amount of EPA/DHA in a serving of grass-fed steak is about 35 mg (the highest value was 70 mg per serving). Conventional steak had only 18 mg per serving of EPA/DHA. The average amount of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA in a glass of pasture-raised milk is about 80 mg (with one sample at 155 mg). By comparison, a tablespoon of flaxseed has about 2,170 mg and a teaspoon of canola oil has about 435 mg of ALA per serving. Conventional milk has 55 mg of ALA. Nutrition science is complex, and more research is needed on how these fatty acids work and what levels are needed in the diet to produce various health benefits.
Related Questions
- How do the fatty acid levels in grass-fed beef and milk compare with levels found in beef and milk from grain-fed animals?
- How do the fatty acid levels in grass-fed beef and milk compare with levels found in other foods, such as fish?
- Can’t I just eat more fish to get the levels of omega-3 fatty acids I need?
