Summary
This randomised controlled trial by McAfee et al. (2011) investigated whether regular consumption of red meat from grass-fed ruminants could improve n-3 PUFA status in healthy adult consumers. The study reported that consumption of grass-fed red meat led to measurable increases in plasma and platelet n-3 PUFA levels compared with grain-fed meat, suggesting a potential dietary pathway by which pasture-based farming practices may confer nutritional benefit to consumers. The findings contribute to the evidence base linking livestock feeding systems to the fatty acid composition of meat and downstream human health outcomes.
UK applicability
The study was conducted in the UK context, likely in Northern Ireland given the authorship affiliations, and is directly relevant to UK pasture-based livestock systems and public health dietary guidelines concerning n-3 PUFA intake.
Key measures
Plasma n-3 PUFA concentration (% total fatty acids); platelet n-3 PUFA concentration; dietary fatty acid intake
Outcomes reported
The study measured changes in plasma and platelet n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations in healthy consumers following consumption of red meat from grass-fed animals compared with conventionally fed animals.
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