Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118503

Kate Clancy, PhD, Union of Concerned Scientists, 1707 H Street N.W., Ste. 600, Washington, DC 20006-3919, (202) 331-5436, kclancy@ucsusa.org

Research on fat in the human diet continues to examine new compounds, their relationship to human health, and their presence in food. Each discovery adds complexity to the definition of a “healthy diet”. In the case of several substances, it has become apparent that the type of production affects nutrient content. Pasture or grass-fed systems provide many environmental benefits and do not require the use of antibiotics or growth hormones. They also produce meat and milk that is higher in some nutrients, and, in some cases, lower in saturated fat, than grain-fed systems. One of these nutrients is conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), found predominantly in ruminant animal products, and in greater amounts in animals raised or finished on pasture than on grain concentrates. Another is alpha-linolenic acid, produced in appreciable amounts by pasture-raised animals. The presentation will address the present state of knowledge and public health significance of these and several other interesting food substances.

Learning Objectives: After attending this presentation, the participant will be able to

• Describe beneficial fats found in products of animals raised on grass
• Give two examples of how the science indicates methods of agricultural production may impact beneficial fat levels in food products

Keywords: Nutrition, Environment

Related Web page: www.ucsusa.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation