Organic Milk and Meat
Should I Buy Organic Milk and Meat?
That’s the question asked by many! The debate about whether or not to buy organic milk and meat, and even produce, is ongoing. Studies have already shown that organic produce has higher levels of phytonutrients than fruits and vegetables that are conventionally grown. And now, new research published in the British Journal of Nutrition has found that organic milk and meat contain higher levels of healthy fatty acids, like omega-3, and lower levels of fatty acids that are correlated with heart disease and chronic illnesses.
Compared with conventional products, both organic milk and meat offer about 50 percent more healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Organic milk also provides 40 percent more conjugated linoleic acid…and has slightly higher concentrations of iron, vitamin E and some carotenoids, the research revealed.
People often choose to buy organic milk and meat for three reasons:
- Improved animal welfare
- Positive environmental impacts of organic farming
- Health benefits
Dr. Sears recommends choosing organic milk and meat, in addition to organic fruits and vegetables as well. You can buy organic on a budget and if you can’t, you should try to purchase organic options that are included on the EWG.org “Dirty Dozen” list. The extra money you spend on quality food now will save you from spending money on chronic illnesses later.
{Download the “Dirty Dozen” List Here}
What’s the difference with organic milk and meat?
Free-foraging livestock and wild game have shown to contain higher levels of omega-3 and lower levels of omega-6 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain and heart health, support weight loss and fight inflammation. The two kinds of omega-6s, linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA or ARA), are found mainly in seeds, oils, meat and dairy products. Many people have enough, or an excess of, omega-6 fatty acids, but lack in omega-3s.
Eating organic milk and meat, with higher levels of omega-3s, is a way to ensure that you’re helping your body balance its omega-3 and omega-6 levels. You might also want to consider giving your body an oil change by choosing better oils with higher levels of omega-3s.
The choice is yours – choose to buy organic milk and meat, pay a little more now, and reap the health benefits, or choose to buy conventional milk and meat and pay later.
