100 Participants Needed

Pastured Livestock Diet for Omega-3 Fatty Acids

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Overseen ByStephan van Vliet, PhD
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires participants to stop taking medications that could affect the study outcomes, such as NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and anticoagulants, if they cannot be temporarily discontinued. If you are on these medications, you may need to stop them to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the Pastured Livestock Diet treatment for increasing omega-3 fatty acids?

Research shows that meat from animals raised on pasture-based diets has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for human health. This suggests that a Pastured Livestock Diet can improve the nutritional quality of meat by increasing its omega-3 content.12345

How does the Pastured Livestock Diet treatment differ from other treatments for increasing omega-3 fatty acids?

The Pastured Livestock Diet is unique because it involves grazing animals on diverse pastures, which enhances the omega-3 fatty acid content in their meat compared to conventional livestock diets. This approach leverages the natural fatty acid profiles of specific plants, leading to healthier meat with higher omega-3 levels.13467

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of consuming meat and eggs from regenerative/pastured versus conventional farming practices on health biomarkers in middle-aged adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:How does consumption of pastured animal products influence red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels, inflammatory markers, and metabolomic profiles compared to conventional animal products?What are the potential metabolic health benefits or risks associated with consuming animal products from regenerative farming practices?Researchers will compare participants consuming pastured meat and eggs to those consuming conventional meat and eggs to determine differences in health outcomes.Participants will:Consume study-provided chicken thighs, ground beef, ground pork, and eggs for 16 weeks.Attend clinic visits for blood, urine, and stool sample collection before and after the intervention.Complete dietary assessments to monitor compliance.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for middle-aged adults interested in the health impacts of their diet. Participants will eat provided meats and eggs from either pastured or conventional livestock for 16 weeks. They must be willing to give blood, urine, and stool samples, as well as complete dietary assessments.

Inclusion Criteria

Weight stability within the last three months (loss or gain < 4%)
I am between 30 and 65 years old.
BMI between 25 and 35 kg/m²
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Exclusion Criteria

I received a COVID vaccine in the last two weeks.
Engagement in high-level competitive exercise (e.g., triathlon, marathon, powerlifting)
Tobacco product use within the last three months
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Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume study-provided chicken thighs, ground beef, ground pork, and eggs for 16 weeks

16 weeks
Clinic visits for sample collection before and after the intervention

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Conventional Livestock Diet
  • Pastured Livestock Diet
Trial Overview The study compares the effects of a Pastured Livestock Diet versus a Conventional Livestock Diet on omega-3 fatty acid levels, inflammation markers, and metabolomic profiles in participants' bodies to assess potential metabolic health benefits or risks.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Pastured Livestock Products GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants in this group will consume meat and eggs sourced from regenerative/pastured farming practices. Weekly allocations include chicken (300-500g), beef (500-700g), pork (300-500g), and 8-12 eggs, depending on the habitual caloric intake of participants. These products are provided for the 16-week intervention, with adherence monitored through dietary logs and 24-hour recalls.
Group II: Conventional Livestock Products GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants in this group will consume meat and eggs sourced from conventional farming practices. Weekly allocations include chicken (300-500g), beef (500-700g), pork (300-500g), and 8-12 eggs, depending on the habitual caloric intake of participants. These products are provided for the 16-week intervention, with adherence monitored through dietary logs and 24-hour recalls.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Utah State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
48
Recruited
5,200+

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Collaborator

Trials
103
Recruited
287,000+

USDA ARS

Collaborator

Trials
3
Recruited
200+

Findings from Research

Pasture access significantly improves the nutritional quality of meat, particularly enhancing the beneficial fatty acid profile, including essential omega-3 fatty acids, in both organic and conventional beef.
Modeling different red meat consumption scenarios for the UK population suggests that average consumers would benefit more from the fatty acids found in pasture-fed beef compared to conventionally raised meat.
Nutritional Benefits from Fatty Acids in Organic and Grass-Fed Beef.Davis, H., Magistrali, A., Butler, G., et al.[2023]
Red meat from ruminants is a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs), which are essential for human health, and it often contains higher levels of these beneficial fats compared to white meat.
The concentration of n-3 FAs in red meat is influenced by the animals' diet, with grass-fed ruminants providing a better n-3 to n-6 fatty acid ratio, making their meat a healthier option for consumers.
Increasing omega-3 levels in meat from ruminants under pasture-based systems.Ponnampalam, EN., Hopkins, DL., Jacobs, JL.[2018]
Restricting cereal-based feed intake in broiler chickens led to increased consumption of legume-based pasture, which positively influenced weight gain and feed conversion, despite overall growth rates being lower than expected.
Pasture intake significantly enhanced the levels of beneficial n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), in the breast meat of the chickens, while also improving meat pigmentation and affecting fatty acid profiles.
Restricting the intake of a cereal-based feed in free-range-pastured poultry: effects on performance and meat quality.Ponte, PI., Prates, JA., Crespo, JP., et al.[2020]

References

Nutritional Benefits from Fatty Acids in Organic and Grass-Fed Beef. [2023]
Increasing omega-3 levels in meat from ruminants under pasture-based systems. [2018]
Restricting the intake of a cereal-based feed in free-range-pastured poultry: effects on performance and meat quality. [2020]
Enhanced Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Contents in Muscle and Edible Organs of Australian Prime Lambs Grazing Lucerne and Cocksfoot Pastures. [2023]
Rapeseed oil fortified with micronutrients can reduce glucose intolerance during a high fat challenge in rats. [2022]
Effect of selected plant species within biodiverse pasture on in vitro fatty acid biohydrogenation and tissue fatty acid composition of lamb. [2019]
Lamb Fattening Under Intensive Pasture-Based Systems: A Review. [2020]
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