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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how consuming meat and eggs from animals raised on pastures (pastured livestock diet) affects health compared to those from conventional farming (conventional livestock diet). Researchers examine changes in omega-3 levels in red blood cells, inflammation, and overall metabolism. Participants will consume either pastured or conventional meat and eggs for 16 weeks and provide various samples for analysis. Individuals without diabetes, not using medications that affect inflammation, and able to commit to a specific diet for the trial may be suitable. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding dietary impacts on health.

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.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that consuming animal products from pasture-raised animals is generally safe and can benefit health. Studies have found that meat from grass-fed animals contains more omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants than meat from conventionally raised animals. These nutrients help maintain heart health and reduce inflammation.

No evidence indicates serious negative effects from consuming pastured meat and eggs. The primary difference is that pastured products typically contain more nutrients, suggesting these foods are not only safe but may also provide additional health benefits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it examines how consuming meat and eggs from pastured livestock might boost omega-3 fatty acid intake compared to conventional options. Unlike typical products, pastured livestock are raised on regenerative farming practices, which can lead to higher omega-3 levels in their meat and eggs. This could provide a more natural way to increase omega-3 intake, which is often achieved through supplements or specific fish consumption. The hope is to find out whether these dietary changes can offer a healthier alternative for boosting omega-3s in our daily diets.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving health biomarkers in middle-aged adults?

This trial will compare the effects of consuming meat and eggs from pastured livestock versus conventional livestock. Studies have shown that eating meat from animals raised on pasture can significantly increase omega-3 fatty acid levels in the diet. Omega-3s are important for maintaining heart and brain health. Research indicates that meat from grass-fed animals can contain up to three times more omega-3 fats than regular meat. These omega-3s may help reduce inflammation in the body. Additionally, pastured meat typically offers a better mix of healthy fats, which benefits overall health. This suggests that choosing pastured meats might improve certain health markers compared to regular meat. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

Engagement in high-level competitive exercise (e.g., triathlon, marathon, powerlifting)

I received a COVID vaccine in the last two weeks.

Tobacco product use within the last three months

Timeline for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2846864/

A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass ...

Research spanning three decades suggests that grass-based diets can significantly improve the fatty acid (FA) composition and antioxidant content of beef.

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zerofoodprint.org

zerofoodprint.org/blog/health-impacts-of-regenerative-agriculture

Health Impacts of Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative beef had 3 times more omega-3 fats, and more than 6 times more of the essential omega-3, alpha linolenic acid (ALA).

3.

foodmedcenter.org

foodmedcenter.org/the-nutritional-advantages-of-regenerative-agriculture/

The Nutritional Advantages of Regenerative Agriculture —

Lower and more favorable omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratios. These fatty acids are known to reduce systemic inflammation, improve ...

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sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666833521000022

Forage-fed cattle point the way forward for beef?

Intramuscular fat from pasture-fed meat had twice as much omega-3 and 1.9x the long chain omega-3 concentrations compared with non-organic meat, with a ratio of ...

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nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41538-025-00471-2

Soil and pasture health underlie improved beef nutrient ...

While grass-fed beef is recognized for its potential enhancement of omega-3 fatty acids, the capacity of grass-fed systems to enhance soil ...

6.

nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41598-024-71073-3

Pasture-finishing of cattle in Western U.S. rangelands ...

Previous studies have found that pasture-finished beef has a higher omega-3 fatty acid and total antioxidant/phenolic content when compared to ...

7.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.851494/full

Attention to the Details: How Variations in U.S. Grass-Fed ...

Overall, grass-finished beef has a more favorable SFA profile (Daley et al., 2010). Monounsaturated fatty acids make up nearly half of beef fat, ...