Animal Proteins Working Group: Current Science
What the research has been showing.
Health of animals is linked to the health of humans
Higher levels of both phytonutrients and Omega 3 fatty acids & lower levels of saturated and total fat found in grass fed meat and milk
Higher levels of total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), iron and α-tocopherol concentrations, in organic milk
Healthy soil benefits the gut microbiome of animals
Link between soil health and animal-derived food quality
Higher levels of carotenoids and Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin D in Pastured Hens
Decreased levels of arachidonic acid accumulation in hens fed EPA/DHA diet
Excessive use of antibiotics = key driver of antibiotic resistance
Higher levels of polyunsaturated fats & lower Omega 6:3 ratio in pastured pigs
Animal Welfare, Health and Flavor.
Chicken produced in higher welfare systems report higher nutritional values
Pasture raised pigs: higher in protein
Stress increases production of glucocorticoids in cows and divert nutrients away from the mammary gland
Consumers associate animal welfare with product quality, taste, and healthiness
Potential Health Benefit implications.
Carotenoids: Potential for anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties
Support healthy immune function
Omega 3 Fatty acids: Benefits to immune system, cardiovascular and nervous system
Support the healthy function of the cardiovascular system
Vitamin D: Benefits to immune system, cardiovascular, nervous system and bone health
Reduced risk for antibiotic resistance
References:
1.Van Vliet, S et al. Health-Promoting Phytonutrients Are Higher in Grass-Fed Meat and Milk 2021
2.Nogoy KMC,et al. Fatty Acid Composition of Grain- and Grass-Fed Beef and Their Nutritional Value and Health Implication. Food Sci Anim Resour. 2022 Jan;42(1):18-33.
3.Higher PUFA and n-3 PUFA, conjugated linoleic acid, α-tocopherol and iron, but lower iodine and selenium concentrations in organic milk: a systematic literature review and meta- and redundancy analyses. Br J Nutr. 2016;115(06):1043–1060.
4.Banerjee, S.,et al. M.G.A. Soil microbiomes and one health. Nat Rev Microbiol (2022)
5.Sergin S, et al. Fatty Acid and Antioxidant Profile of Eggs from Pasture-Raised Hens Fed a Corn- and Soy-Free Diet and Supplemented with Grass-Fed Beef Suet and Liver. Foods. 2022 Oct 28;11(21):3404.
6.Kühn J, et al. Free-range farming: a natural alternative to produce vitamin D-enriched eggs. Nutrition. 2014 Apr;30(4):481-4.
7.Shin, D et al. Effects of dietary combination of n-3 and n-9 fatty acids on the deposition of linoleic and arachidonic acid in broiler chicken meats. Poultry Science Volume 91, Issue 4, 1 April 2012, Pages 1009-1017
8.Mie A, et al. Human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture: A comprehensive review. Environmental Health. 2017;16(1)
9.Ramkumar, D., et al.. (2024). Food for thought: Making the case for food produced via regenerative agriculture in the battle against non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs)
10.Qi, K., Men, X., Wu, J., & Xu, Z. (2019). Rearing pattern alters porcine myofiber type, fat deposition, associated microbial communities and functional capacity. BMC Microbiology, 19(1).
11. Declining nutritional value of factory farmed chicken. Compassion in World Farming Website. https://www.ciwf.com/media/7429726/declining-nutritional-value-of-factory-farmed-chicken.pdfAccessed July 2024
12. Qi, K., Men, X., Wu, J., & Xu, Z. (2019). Rearing pattern alters porcine myofiber type, fat deposition, associated microbial communities and functional capacity. BMC Microbiology, 19(1).
13.Razzaghi et al.Theimpact of environmental and nutritional stresses on milk fat synthesis in dairy cows. Domestic Animal Endocrinology Volume 83, April 2023, 106784
14. InfascelliL, TudiscoR, IommelliP, CapitanioF. Milk Quality and Animal Welfare as a Possible Marketing Lever for the Economic Development of Rural Areas in Southern Italy. Animals (Basel). 2021 Apr 8;11(4):1059