Eating beef can be beneficial or it can be detrimental, depending on its previous diet. Dr. Randy Horwitz talks here about essential fatty acids.
Cattle raised on grass will provide omega-3 essential fatty acids. Grain-fed cattle give you omega-6 fatty acids. We need both for good health but our diets in general tend to be heavy on the omega-6s, setting us up for inflammation. We tend to be low on omega-3s so getting more omega-3 essential fatty acids is a plus.
(Transcribed from video interviewer)
Dr. Horwitz:
Beef is loaded with saturated fats so, from a cardiovascular standpoint, it’s a big no-no. However, when cattle are raised on grass, the way nature intended then the fats that they form are plant-based fats or omega-3s. So basically, instead of the omega-6s, instead of the more inflammatory fats that you are getting in meat, saturated fats from grain-fed cattle, you are getting the benefits, and some people say, ounce per ounce you are getting as much or more omega-3s from beef that’s been grass-fed and finished than from salmon.
About Dr. Randy Horwitz, Ph.D., M.D.:
Dr. Randy Horwitz, Ph.D., M.D., received a B.S. degree in biochemistry from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. in Immunology and Molecular Biology from the University of Florida. He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois, and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at University Hospitals (Case Western Reserve University) in Cleveland.
Visit Dr. Horwitz at: http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/about/directors/horwitz
Video:
https://www.empowher.com/healthy-eating/content/why-are-grass-fed-animals-best-eating-dr-horwitz-video