Nutritional Aspects of Corn as Feed

A study conducted by the UC Cooperative Extension found drastic differences in the nutritional values of Grass Fed Beef and Grain Fed Beef in the following areas:
•Beta-carotene (broken down into Vitamin A) is good for vision, bone growth, reproduction, cell division and cell differentiation
•Vitamin E- a fat soluble vitamin good for antioxidant activity which help fend off cancers and cardiovascular disease.
•Fatty acid components Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio. Omega-3 reduces inflammation and prevents heart disease and arthritis. Omega-6 reduces inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. Both assist with cognitive and behavioral functions of the brain.
•CLA a polyunsaturated fatty acid that helps to reduce heart disease risks, cancer, onset of diabetes and accumulation of body fat.

Grass Fed vs. Corn Fed

Grass Fed

•Beta-Carotene (broken down into Vitamin A)
–3.5 ounces of ground beef have 87 micrograms of beta-carotene
–Rib eye steak has 64 micrograms of beta-carotene
•Vitamin E
–products have 9.3 micrograms (almost 3x that of corn fed)
•Fatty acid components Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio
–60 percent more omega-3 fatty acids providing a much better ratio
•CLA
–3.5 ounces worth of products provide 25% of daily requirement (5grams/day)

Corn Fed

•Beta-Carotene (broken down into Vitamin A)
-3 ounces of ground beef have 41 micrograms of beta-carotene
–Rib eye steak has 36 micrograms of beta-carotene
•Vitamin E
–products have 3.7 micrograms
•Fatty acid components Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio
–60 percent less omega-3 fatty acids providing a much lesser ratio
•CLA
–products (3.5 ounces worth) provide less than 10% of daily requirement (5grams/day)