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For those who haven’t read the memo – more evidence that we should leave Mother Nature to do what she does best when it comes to growing our food. The results from the latest study comparing nutrient values in free-range eggs - that is, eggs from hens allowed to wander and hunt and outdoors for food – to their factory farm counterparts are startling: free range eggs contain significantly more omega-3 fatty acids, less cholesterol, and more vitamin A and D and betacarotene than those from conventional farms. In addition to their significant protein, vitamin, mineral, and relatively low saturated fat content, eggs are valuable for midlifers for thyroid balancing iodine, as well as phosphorous and calcium for bone health. Add infection- fighting zinc for wound healing, and iron for red blood cells and to combat fatigue, and we hope that eggs regain their much maligned reputation as a healthy, delicious, versatile and easy to prepare food.
As per the Mother Earth link, here’s the data: Free-range eggs contain more of the following nutrients than their commercially bred cousins.
* 1/3 less cholesterol
* 1/4 less saturated fat
* 2/3 more vitamin A
* Two times more omega-3 fatty acids
* Three times more vitamin E
* Seven times more betacarotene
As we know, eggs are not the only instance of declining nutrition and other problems associated with industrial food products. Vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables have been declining over the last 50 years, and meat and dairy products show lower levels of nutrients from industrial and factory farms compared to animals raised on pasture.
Most nutritionists are also oblivious to the feed/food connection. For them, beef is beef, eggs are eggs, and milk is milk. The eat less red meat rule applies to all red meat, whether it’s a fatty steak from a grainfed cow, or a lean steak from a grassfed cow with its invisible bounty of omega-3s, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and CLA.
Go to Eatwild for a great resource on grassfed and free-range basics, including data on health and environment benefits, eating wild foods, links to scientific studies, and a resource directory to local farms that sell all-natural, delicious, grass-fed products. Site owner Jo Robinson is a New York Timesjournalist and bestselling author who has written extensively on how meat from pasture-raised animals is very similar to meat from wild game, and that both promote optimal health. On the food safety front, she’s got some fascinating information about why grain-fed beef is more likely to be contaminated with toxic E. coli bacteria than meat from pasture-raised animals.
Find out more download hounddog free download tragedy of macbeth the dvd on what basis the egg industry disputes the claims of superior nutrition from free-range eggs.
In this economy, and with this data in hand, why not join the urban chicken movement and raise some hens for yummy, cheap and nutritious eggs in your own backyard? Here’s a good place to get started. one quiet night download mp3
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