Which meat is healthiest? How diet affects the quality of fats

At Evolutive Clinic we know that a balanced diet is key to good health. Beyond eating well, it's important to consider how other aspects of our health interact. Find out more about our Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) treatments. Still, we often ask ourselves: which meat is healthiest? The answer isn't that simple and is closely linked to what the animals we eat are fed.

On farms, animals are usually fed cereals and compound feed. This diet affects ruminants and non-ruminants differently. Ruminants, such as cows, sheep and horses, are better at turning plant foods into omega-3 fatty acids. This lets them maintain a healthier ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-6/omega-3) than non-ruminants such as pigs, chickens and fish.

Diet and the quality of fats

Ruminants can produce more omega-3 fatty acids thanks to their plant-based diet. Non-ruminants, by contrast, need a more varied, omnivorous diet to keep a good fat profile. For example, a hen's natural diet includes worms, insects, small reptiles, leaves and fruit. Without this varied diet, they can't achieve a proper balance of fatty acids.

Pasture-fed animals: a different story

When it comes to wild animals, the picture changes. Because they eat what they find in nature, these animals keep a natural balance of fatty acids, whether or not they're ruminants. That's why pasture-raised meat tends to be healthier in terms of fat composition.

Why humans need EPA and DHA

Humans are naturally omnivorous, and our physiology backs this up. Unlike plant-eating animals, we can't efficiently convert plant-based omega-3s into EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These fatty acids are essential for our health: they keep cell membranes fluid, reduce inflammation and protect our brain health.

Without adequate levels of EPA and DHA, our health can suffer. Even our skin and eyes need these fatty acids to benefit from sunlight rather than be damaged by it.

So which meat should I choose?

To get enough EPA and DHA, it's essential to include meat in our diet. However, it's important to think about where that meat comes from. Choosing meat from properly fed ruminants or from pasture-raised animals can provide a better fatty acid profile and contribute to a healthier diet.

At Evolutive Clinic we recommend choosing the meat you eat carefully, always looking for the best nutritional quality for your health and wellbeing.