In yet another short-sighted experiment, researchers at
Washington State University are feeding recycled restaurant grease to feedlot
cattle in an attempt to raise the CLA levels of their
meat. Although grease will indeed enhance CLA levels, it cannot compete with
grass when the total nutritional value of the meat is taken into consideration.
Meat from cattle raised on grass and legumes is not only five times higher in
CLA than meat from feedlot cattle, it is also higher in vitamin E, beta
carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids. Also, restaurant grease is high in a type of
fat called "linoleic acid" or LA that is known to stimulate tumor growth. Although grease-fed cattle will have
more of the cancer-fighting CLA, they will also have higher levels of the
cancer-promoting LA, perhaps canceling out the anticipated benefits.
Comments: As long as researchers
focus on artificial ways to raise CLA levels in
animals, we will continue to have beef that is nutritionally inferior in other
areas. We will also be plagued with all the problems linked with the feedlot
industry including nutrient leaching, odor, diseased animals, and the
indiscriminate use of growth promoting hormones and antibiotics
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