I’m sure you have all heard about the latest study slamming red meat and blaming it for an increased rise in cancer and heart disease, but is the real problem red meat or is it the way it is raised. I’m not going to get into all the details and accuracy of the study and the fact that the people were accessed on their own self reporting as to what they ate.

What I want to talk about is the differences that come about when you eat a hamburger or steak that has come from a ranch that follows conventional feeding practices or those that allow ‘free-range’ feeding. There is a huge difference in the quality of the meat based on the conditions and the feed these animals are given.

I’m not even going to go into all the hormones and antibiotics you are exposed to when you eat meat from a grocery store, fast food or family restaurant. They all contain a certain amount of hormones and antibiotics that are not helpful to your overall health.

The point I really want to talk about is the differences in the amount of the good, monounsaturated fats you get when you eat ‘range feed’ beef compared to animals that are raised on typical feedlots for giant retailers. Animals that are conventionally raised are given a diet high in grains, which is not the standard diet for most farm animals. This causes their body, the meat we eat, to be highly dense in saturated fats. On the other hand, animals that are allowed to eat their natural diet, which is grass, produce meat that has a nice ratio of saturated to monounsaturated fats.

The problem isn’t saturated fats – it’s the ratio of saturated fats to monounsaturated fats that are the problem. Or more specifically the problem is that people are eating more foods that have only a small amount of monounsaturated fats.  Most people who consume meats that are conventionally raised are eating lots of saturated fats, whereas if they ate meat that had a higher ratio of monounsaturated fats, their health would be drastically different and much improved.

The ratio of saturated to monounsaturated fats back in the 1900’s and from wild animals were about four to one (4:1). Unfortunately with the development of the massive feedlots and the use of grains to fatten up these animals has changed the ratio to about nineteen to one (19:1). This huge shift has made the American public susceptible to heart disease, cancer, arthritic pain, diabetes, hormonal and chemical imbalances. The reason is a lack of the important monounsaturated fats, not because saturated fats are bad. 

I and many other doctors don't believe saturated fats should be blamed for all the health problems out there.  I don't believe saturated fats, insulin or cortisol are inherently bad for us, but when we have an imbalance caused by over-consumption we create problems. 

There is more and more research showing the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids and fish oils being beneficial, but the reason these supplements are so helpful is that people aren’t getting enough in their daily diet. Fish oils and other omega 3 fatty acids are found in our diet. The question is are we eating enough of them or are we choosing foods that are lacking in those important nutrients?

If you are a meat lover, as I am, don’t be hoodwinked into believing all red meat is bad. If you do than you are basically throwing the baby out with the bath water. The benefits of ‘free range’ beef and other meats are immense when you start adding up all that it does and doesn’t have. No Dangerous Hormones or Antibiotics and Lots of the essential fatty acids found in monounsaturated fats. Remember our diet is supposed to provide us with most of the nutrients we need to stay healthy, but when you fall short is when you should supplement. If you have or continue to eat conventional red meat, realize that your ratio of saturated to monounsaturated fats are out of balance and may need some supplementing with Sea Energy to help restore balance.

Any of my patience who come to me complaining of heart disease (elevated blood pressure or cholesterol), arthritic pain, PMS, hot flashes, night sweats and depression will always be given a bottle of Sea Energy to help improve that ratio and improve their health.

If you want to keep learning more and keep seperating the hype from the truth when it comes to health and fitness I encourage you to sign up for my Blog.  Each time a write a posting you will be notified.  Seach the archives of the blog or go to my website and read the many differet articles on health and fitness.