New Kind Of Cattle Promises To Be Healthier
US - Historically, red meat has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and colon cancer. But a new kind of cattle being bred in Texas promises to be healthier and improve health as well.
4 May 2007
2 minute read
The Texas Department of Agriculture says Texas ranchers were able to get some of these cattle due to a loophole in the trade act. Now that it's available for market, they say it is a healthy choice.
New to the U.S. market is HeartBrand Meat. The Texas Department of Agriculture is hoping the health claims will beef up sales.
“It prevents coronary heart disease as well as cancer and diabetes,” Catherine O’Gorman, with HeartBrand Meat, said.
The message from the manufacturers is, eat this meat and prevent coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Is that really possible?
“I think it's premature for sure,” said Dr. Vu Nguyen, cardiologist at St. David’s Medical Center.
This cattle originally is said to be genetically geared to produce conjugated linoleic acid or CLA. That's what producers say will promote good health.
But, so far, doctors say CLA has only been studied in mice.
“To kind of extrapolate from the mice level to human level is obviously a huge jump,” Nguyen said.
The American Cancer Society says the biggest culprit in red meat is saturated fat. This new red meat claims to have much less.
Another difference is in how the cattle will be raised. Ranchers say the cattle will spend their first seven months roaming free before being put into a confined space. The meat will be "all natural".
Source: CBS 42
