By Dr. Joseph Mercola with Rachael Droege
The mass farming of livestock, otherwise known as factory farming, is largely to blame for the poor quality of meats and other animal products sold at supermarkets all over America. This is not simply an issue of taste, it is an issue of health--both your own and the animals’. It is not plausible to believe that an animal pumped full of hormones, antibiotics and grains would supply healthy meat or dairy products, yet these largely nutritionally devoid foods make up a large portion of what is showing up on American’s plates.
The recent mad cow disease scare brings the point closer to home as many believe the disease is the result of poor feeding standards (for an alternative theory see my past article on mad cow). But aside from the issue of spreading disease is the issue of what the animals are fed, and with cattle and dairy cows this is largely grain. If you are one of the many Americans who are trying to better their health by reducing or eliminating grains, then you need to know that eating a cow fed grains is little better than eating the grains yourself! Many of the benefits of beef are diminished when beef is raised primarily on grain. Further, animal feed contains 80 percent of all the herbicides used in the United States. You are likely familiar with the concern of pesticides on produce, but did you know that animal products can contain substantially more pesticides than plants? They can--even as many as 14 times the amount!
The concerns of modern-day animal farming extend further than meat. Dairy cows face similar hurdles, including being injected with growth hormones and an early weaning process that sends newborn calves to specialized feedlots where they are fed protein supplement pellets and hay rather than their natural milk diet.
The Washington Post reports that this "coldly regimented process" that forces dairy calves to depend on dietary supplements could also spread mad cow disease, as the supplements may be made from the remains of cows and other ruminants. They go on to say "the [mad cow] disease is not believed to be transmitted by milk, which calves would normally be getting from their mothers, were they not subject to modern dairy farm practices."
Further, dairy cows are often genetically manipulated to produce extreme amounts of milk. They are artificially impregnated so they keep making milk, and over 30 percent of U.S. dairy cows are injected with a genetically engineered growth hormone (rBST), which causes the cows to produce about 25 percent more milk than they would otherwise. This unnatural process puts the cows at an increased risk of numerous health problems, which contributes to the use of antibiotics and other drugs.
While animal products of mass livestock farming certainly make up the majority in America, there are small farmers who use sustainable, healthy and humane practices to produce their beef and milk--and it is these sources that you will want to seek out if you want to minimize your chances of disease and optimize your health.
This means that you’ll want grass-fed beef--this is better than organic beef, and will likely eliminate any risk of mad cow or other infectious diseases--but make sure that it is truly grass-fed and not simply labeled as such. The least expensive way to obtain authentic grass-fed beef would be to find a farmer who is growing the beef who you can trust and buy a half a side of beef from him. This way you save the shipping and also receive a reduced rate on the meat. Alternatively, you can order authentic grass-fed beef from our site.
There are also other healthy meat options beyond beef. Two of the best meats on the planet--in terms of nutrition value and their incredible taste--are bison and ostrich. Remember, you can now get bison meat and exclusive omega-3-rich ostrich meat in our store. Both of these meats are free-ranged, fed primarily grass/alfalfa diets, and contain no antibiotics or steroids. These meats provide a healthy, clean source of protein and minerals and are great tasting too.
In terms of dairy, I don’t recommend drinking pasteurized milk at all, and instead would urge you to locate a source of raw milk in your area, as this is an outstanding source of nutrients. Ideally, try to find a local farmer who will be willing to sell this to you. If you find one you will want to encourage him or her to consider restricting grains from the cow’s feed to improve the quality of the milk.
If you are unable to find a local dairy farmer who will cooperate with you, Sally Fallon has compiled a website that provides further information about this important food source, including where you can purchase raw milk. If you are in the Chicago area you can obtain raw milk from Michigan Amish farmers that bring it to the area every week or so.
Finally, if you are truly committed to avoiding disease, premature aging and low energy levels by avoiding all the unhealthy forms of foods on the market today -- and eating those are are truly healthy, most of which you will be surprised to find are not "boutique" or difficult to find in stores at all -- I hope you will consider my new book, Dr. Mercola's Total Health Program. For ALL types of foods from both the plant and animal world, it provides complete insight on the healthiest foods you should be eating, and those you should avoid (and why). Just a few of the insights you'll learn include:
The widely promoted "health food" that you should definitely avoid as it can harm your immune system, lead to everything from gastric distress to cancer, and cause women to have their thyroid gland stop working -- page 19
The fruits that are healthiest to eat, including one that can actually reverse brain aging -- page 20
The single most important supplement you can take that should be a regular part of your diet as it will greatly increase your lifespan and reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease -- page 61-62
What you really need to know about fats if you want to reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer and autoimmune disease -- page 23
You'll also get over 150 brand-new recipes -- highly nutritious but designed to be delicious and convenient to prepare as well. Read more about "Dr. Mercola's Total Health Program" now, including the special offer.
The Six Dangers of Common Beef, and How to Avoid Them What Does Europe's Ban of U.S. Meats Mean to You? U.S. Man Diagnosed With Mad Cow Disease How is Agribusiness Adding Inches to Your Waist and Taking Years From Your Life? Mad Cow Disease: A Mysterious Disease Explained How You Can Avoid Mad Cow Disease
The Six Dangers of Common Beef, and How to Avoid Them
What Does Europe's Ban of U.S. Meats Mean to You?
U.S. Man Diagnosed With Mad Cow Disease
How is Agribusiness Adding Inches to Your Waist and Taking Years From Your Life?
Mad Cow Disease: A Mysterious Disease Explained
How You Can Avoid Mad Cow Disease