Pastured Livestock Diet for Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Overseen By Stephan van Vliet, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Utah State University

Must not be taking: NSAIDs, Corticosteroids, Anticoagulants

Disqualifiers: Hypertension, Diabetes, Autoimmune disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 16 weeks

100 Participants Needed

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. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

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. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

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

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

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

Group I: Pastured Livestock Products Group Experimental Treatment 1 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 Group Experimental Treatment 1 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.

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.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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]

Grazing on cocksfoot grass significantly increased the omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC-PUFA) content in the Longissimus dorsi muscle of lambs, making it a beneficial pasture type for enhancing the nutritional quality of lamb meat.

Supplementation with oil-infused pellets generally reduced the n-3 LC-PUFA content and increased the n-6/n-3 ratio in the muscle, indicating that while pasture type is crucial for omega-3 content, pellet supplementation may negatively impact these beneficial fatty acids.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhanced Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Contents in Muscle and Edible Organs of Australian Prime Lambs Grazing Lucerne and Cocksfoot Pastures. Le, HV., Nguyen, QV., Nguyen, DV., et al.[2023]

Rats fed a high-fat diet with rapeseed oil, either refined or fortified with micronutrients, showed improved glucose tolerance and lower plasma glucose levels compared to those on a standard high-fat diet with palm and sunflower oils.

Fortification with canolol in rapeseed oil not only enhanced glucose metabolism but also activated important cellular pathways (Akt and AMPK) that help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation in skeletal muscle.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rapeseed oil fortified with micronutrients can reduce glucose intolerance during a high fat challenge in rats. Capel, F., Geloen, A., Vaysse, C., et al.[2022]

A study investigated the impact of six diverse plant species on the supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to ruminants, finding that Lotus corniculatus and Prunella vulgaris had the highest potential to increase beneficial fatty acids available for absorption.

Lambs grazed on biodiverse pastures showed significant increases in beneficial fatty acids (18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3) in their muscle and fat tissues compared to those on a standard ryegrass pasture, indicating that enhancing pasture biodiversity positively affects the fatty acid profile in livestock.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of selected plant species within biodiverse pasture on in vitro fatty acid biohydrogenation and tissue fatty acid composition of lamb. Kliem, KE., Thomson, AL., Crompton, LA., et al.[2019]

Pasture-based feeding systems for sheep can improve the fatty acid composition of meat, but the quality of the pasture significantly affects animal performance, with high-quality pastures leading to better outcomes.

Combining high-quality pastures with total mixed rations can enhance nitrogen utilization and prevent acidosis, but more research is needed to understand the optimal nutritional strategies for meat quality and the necessary levels of pasture intake.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lamb Fattening Under Intensive Pasture-Based Systems: A Review. Fernandez-Turren, G., Repetto, JL., Arroyo, JM., et al.[2020]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional Benefits from Fatty Acids in Organic and Grass-Fed Beef. [2023]

2. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increasing omega-3 levels in meat from ruminants under pasture-based systems. [2018]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Restricting the intake of a cereal-based feed in free-range-pastured poultry: effects on performance and meat quality. [2020]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhanced Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Contents in Muscle and Edible Organs of Australian Prime Lambs Grazing Lucerne and Cocksfoot Pastures. [2023]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rapeseed oil fortified with micronutrients can reduce glucose intolerance during a high fat challenge in rats. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of selected plant species within biodiverse pasture on in vitro fatty acid biohydrogenation and tissue fatty acid composition of lamb. [2019]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lamb Fattening Under Intensive Pasture-Based Systems: A Review. [2020]