THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIETARY INTAKE OF GRASS-FED VERSUS GRAIN-FED BEEF AND PLASMA LEVELS OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FATTY ACIDS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Rabia  Saleem; Noman Shafique; Hina Maqbool

Authors

Rabia Saleem University of Sargodha, Pakistan. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1282-8013
Noman Shafique University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, Pakistan. Author
Hina Maqbool Hamdard University, Pakistan. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3029-7487

Keywords:

Adults, Beef, Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diet, Fatty Acids Omega-3, Lipids.

Abstract

Background: The fatty acid composition of beef varies according to cattle feeding practices, influencing its potential impact on human health. Grass-fed beef contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Understanding how these compositional differences affect human plasma lipid profiles can help guide dietary recommendations and livestock management practices.

Objective: To compare the effects of grass-fed and grain-fed beef consumption on plasma levels of omega-3 fatty acids and CLA in adults from South Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study over eight months enrolled 60 adults, with 30 regularly eating grass-fed beef and 30 regularly eating grain-fed beef. Their usual diet was recorded using a standard food questionnaire. We analyzed their fasting blood samples to measure the types of fats (fatty acids) present, using precise laboratory equipment (gas chromatography). Results are shown as averages with standard deviations (mean ± SD). We used statistical tests (independent t-tests) to compare the two groups and examined relationships (Pearson correlation) between how often beef was eaten and the levels of different fatty acids in the blood.

Results: Participants consuming grass-fed beef had significantly higher plasma concentrations of total omega-3 fatty acids (76.8 ± 11.2 µg/mL vs. 57.0 ± 9.8 µg/mL, p = 0.002) and CLA (15.4 ± 3.7 µg/mL vs. 10.7 ± 3.1 µg/mL, p = 0.005) compared with the grain-fed group. The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was lower among grass-fed consumers (4.1 ± 1.1 vs. 6.3 ± 1.5, p = 0.001). Positive correlations were found between beef consumption frequency and plasma omega-3 (r = 0.62, p = 0.001) and CLA (r = 0.58, p = 0.003).

Conclusion: Grass-fed beef consumption was associated with improved plasma omega-3 and CLA profiles and a lower omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, suggesting a beneficial influence on anti-inflammatory lipid status.

Author Biographies

Rabia Saleem , University of Sargodha, Pakistan.

M.Phil- Zoology, University of Sargodha, Pakistan.
Noman Shafique, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, Pakistan.

Final Year Student at University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, Pakistan.
Hina Maqbool, Hamdard University, Pakistan.

Dietitian, Dept Nutrition and Dietetics, Hamdard University, Pakistan.

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