Total Pageviews

Friday 14 June 2019

Some Reasons to Switch to Grass-Fed Butter !


Makayla Meixner RD writes:
"Seven Reasons to Switch to Grass-Fed Butter:
Butter is a popular dairy product typically made from cow’s milk. Essentially, it’s the fat from milk in solid form. It’s made by churning milk until the butterfat is separated from the buttermilk. Interestingly, what dairy cows eat can affect the nutritional value of the milk they produce, as well as the butter made from it.

Although most cows in the United States primarily eat corn- and grain-based feeds, grass-fed meat and dairy products are becoming increasingly popular.

Here are 7 potential health benefits of grass-fed butter.


More nutritious than regular butter 
Regular and grass-fed butters are high in fat and calories. They’re also rich in vitamin A, an important fat-soluble vitamin. However, studies show that grass-fed butter may be more nutritious. In particular, it contains a higher proportion of healthy unsaturated fatty acids. For example, grass-fed butter is higher in omega-3 fatty acids. These are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and have been linked to many health benefits. In addition to boasting a healthier fat profile, grass-fed butter is believed to be much richer in vitamin K2, which plays an important role in bone and heart health.
Summary Compared to regular butter, grass-fed butter has been found to be higher in vitamin K2 and healthy fats, such as omega-3s and CLA. 

A good source of vitamin A 
Vitamin A is fat-soluble and considered an essential vitamin. This means your body cannot make it, so it must be included in your diet. Like regular butter, grass-fed butter is rich in vitamin A, which is necessary for vision, reproduction, and optimal immune function. It also plays an important role in growth and development and is involved in forming and maintaining healthy teeth, bones, and skin.
Summary Grass-fed butter is a good source of vitamin A, a nutrient that’s essential for immune function, vision, and more.

Rich in beta carotene 
Butter is high in beta carotene — a beneficial compound that your body converts into vitamin A as needed to meet your daily requirements. Studies suggest that grass-fed butter may be even higher in beta carotene than regular butter. 
Summary Grass-fed butter contains higher amounts of beta carotene than regular butter. Beta carotene is a potent antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of several chronic diseases.

Contains vitamin K2 
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in two main forms — vitamin K1 and K2; Vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone, is the predominant source of vitamin K in most diets. It’s mainly found in plant foods, such as green leafy vegetables; Vitamin K2 is a lesser-known but important nutrient. Also known as menaquinone, it’s mainly found in fermented foods and animal products, including grass-fed butter.
Although vitamin K2 is less common in the diet, it’s very important for your overall health. It plays a key role in your bone and heart health by regulating your calcium levels. Vitamin K2 helps support bone health by signalling your bones to absorb more calcium. Several studies have found that people who consume more vitamin K2 tend to experience fewer bone fractures. Vitamin K2 also helps remove excess calcium from your bloodstream, which may help prevent harmful calcium deposits and plaque from building up in your blood vessels. In a large population study involving 4,807 people, high intake of vitamin K2 (32 mcg per day) was associated with a 50% reduction in risk of death from heart disease.
Summary High-fat dairy products like grass-fed butter contain vitamin K2, which is a form of vitamin K that promotes bone and heart health. 

High in unsaturated fatty acids 
Unsaturated fats include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These types of fats have long been considered healthy, as studies have consistently linked them to heart health benefits. Strong scientific evidence shows that replacing some of the saturated fat in your diet with unsaturated fat may help reduce your risk of heart disease. One easy way to do this is by replacing your regular butter with grass-fed butter. Some studies have compared the products of grass - and conventionally fed dairy cows. They’ve found that grass-fed butter is higher in unsaturated fats than regular butter. However, grass-fed butter still contains a significant amount of saturated fat.
Recent research suggests that saturated fat intake may not be linked to heart disease, as health experts once thought. However, it’s best to eat a variety of fats, not just saturated fats, from nutritious sources like nuts, seeds, and fatty fish.
Summary Compared to regular butter, grass-fed butter is higher in unsaturated fatty acids, which have been linked to heart health benefits.

Contains conjugated linoleic acid 
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a type of fat that is mainly found in meat and dairy products derived from ruminant animals like cows, sheep, and goats. Grass-fed dairy products, particularly grass-fed butter, are believed to be especially high in CLA. Studies suggest that CLA may have several potential health benefits.
Summary Grass-fed butter may contain up to 500% more CLA per serving than regular butter. However, it’s unclear how the small amount of CLA in butter affects your health. More research in humans is needed.


Easy to add to your diet 
Ultimately, grass-fed butter may be a relatively nutritious replacement for regular butter. Fortunately, the taste and texture of the two are almost identical, and regular butter can easily be swapped for grass-fed butter in any recipe. For example, grass-fed butter can be used in baking, spread on toast, or used for non-stick cooking. Keep in mind that grass-fed butter is still a concentrated source of fat and calories. Also, be sure to include plenty of other healthy fats in your diet. Eat foods like nuts, seeds, and fatty fish to ensure you’re getting a wide variety of healthy fats.
Summary When used in moderation, grass-fed butter is a relatively healthy and easy replacement for regular butter.

The bottom line 
Grass-fed butter is a good source of vitamin A and the antioxidant beta carotene. It also has a higher proportion of healthy, unsaturated fats and CLA than regular butter. What’s more, it provides vitamin K2, a form of vitamin K that plays an important role in your bone and heart health. Overall, grass-fed butter is a relatively healthy alternative to regular butter when consumed in moderation."

The above words taken from an article by Makayla Meixner RD, you can see her full article with all information / research links here

Related Post:
Butter Has An Epic Backstory ... read it here 

A variety of articles and recipe ideas are within this blog, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

30 comments:

Tom said...

...really?

Anonymous said...

Plenty to read, especially interesting about Vitamin K2 and the butter backstory.
Thanks.

Sue

magiceye said...

Interesting information.

Suzan said...

I have often thought it is counter productive to eat a product that is chemically enhanced to equal the nutrition in butter and coloured to look more appealing.. I prefer to use real butter and olive ol for most of fat intake.

dellgirl said...

As usual, you really put a lot of thought and work into this post, it’s amazingly informative and very interesting. Thank you for sharing this and for keeping us in the know about things some of us never consider.

Now I need to digest all that you have presented here, it’s just what many of us need. I always learn so much from your articles.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday!

Chatty Crone said...

Where would you get it?

peppylady (Dora) said...

Now those cows are darling.
Coffee is on

Practical Parsimony said...

It is all good to know. But, I have never seen grass-fed butter. And, I have a refrigerator and freezer full of butter.

Elephant's Child said...

Interesting. I suspect it is a more natural way for cows to eat as well, and increasingly I am moving in that direction in my own life.

Iris Flavia said...

We always buy Irish butter, reckon it´s from grass-fed cows, nice to know the benefits, thank you :-)

Anonymous said...

That’s really eye opening!

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Excelente artigo gostei e aproveito para desejar um bom fim-de-semana.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros

Margaret D said...

They say, butter is best.
Used to make a bit of butter for cooking many years ago when I lived on a farm with my husband and his family.

Miss Val's Creations said...

I will have to see if we can get grass fed butter in the supermarkets here.

CJ Kennedy said...

We switched over to Kerry's Irish Gold Butter. Such a big difference to the butter we get here in the states!

mxtodis123 said...

Great information as usual.

Jeff said...

Grass fed beef is so much better than corn fed, so it seems logical that their butter is better. Thanks for the information

Sally said...

I remember saying to my cousin, who raises cattle in W FL, that I'd been buying organic beef. He told me NO, buy grass fed. hmmmm

Also, in reading this, I remember my grandmother making butter in a churn; taking the fat from top of the milk. Thanks for the information, Jan.

xoxo

Sami said...

I've never come across grass fed butter in the supermarkets here in Perth, but they sell grass fed meat. I usually buy Danish butter or Tasmanian butter as both have better taste.

Rain said...

Great informative post! I use so much butter, I need to find a better source.

William Kendall said...

Thanks for sharing!

Lowcarb team member said...

Many thanks for your comments and questions.

Grass Fed Butter USA
Where will I get it and What brands are available in the USA?

I believe that grass fed butters are available in most supermarkets … they certainly are in the UK.
Please have a look at this article regarding the top six butter brands in America …

https://tastessence.com/top-butter-brands-in-america

It would appear that Kerrygold is top of the list (and is the go to butter I use)

This Irish butter brand is known for its glorious golden hue and creamy and sweet flavour. Made from the milk obtained from the 'finest' Irish, grass-fed cows, Kerrygold butter contains a higher fat content than standard American butter. The cows are allowed to graze on lush-green pastures all through the year, and it is this fresh grass diet that contributes to the beautiful golden-yellow hue of the butter. Moreover, the flavour of the butter is also far better and more appealing as compared to the conventional kinds.

Free from artificial additives, growth hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides, this premium butter brand is definitely worth buying. Their unsalted version can be used for baking and cooking purposes, and is also touted to be among the best butter brands for baking. Because it is imported from Ireland, and owing to its superior quality, it is a little expensive.

It is usually one of the more expensive butters in the UK too … I always keep my eye open for any reduced prices/special offers that many supermarkets have.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...
Excelente artigo gostei e aproveito para desejar um bom fim-de-semana

Google translate:
Great article I liked and enjoyed, I wish you a good weekend.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I was so grateful for this article and the one on best butter in the US. However, I have only heard of, but never seen in our grocery stores, Organic Valley. None of the others have ever made it to Kansas, possibly one of the last states to get many items.

Lowcarb team member said...

Sami said...
I've never come across grass fed butter in the supermarkets here in Perth, but they sell grass fed meat. I usually buy Danish butter or Tasmanian butter as both have better taste.

Hello Sami,
I don't know if you use Lurpak butter which is produced in Denmark.
I understand that their cows are grass fed in summer, however when the weather
conditions are not suitable, they are kept in sheds where they are allowed to roam
freely and fed supplements.

Lurpak also produces the organic range, where the milk used comes from cows that
are only grass fed.

More to read here
http://www.livefreefromobesity.co.uk/grassfed-butter/

Regarding Tasmanian/Australian Grass Fed Butter … have a look at this article
Where to Find The Best Quality Grassfed Butter in Australia
https://buttercoffee.com.au/grassfed-butter-australia/

I've seen Westgold Butter mentioned in quite a few articles across the internet … don't know if it may be what you use, it is from grass fed cows.

Hope you find the linked articles of interest.

All the best Jan

Bill said...

Interesting info, thanks for sharing.

My name is Erika. said...

I know corn and grain fed beef shortens the life of the cow and hence you too, but I didn't know all this other info. When big agribusiness entered the world it really didn't help any of us, did it? Happy weekend. Hugs-Erika

Sami said...

Thanks Jan, I buy the Lurpak butter actually, so not too bad after all.
I haven't noticed the Westgold one but reading about it, it can be found in the supermarket chain I buy from, so will have to search for it.

Debbie said...

i am amazed at the difference in flavors in grass fed meats. i will have to look in to my butter, i had not thought of that!!!

Conniecrafter said...

I will have to look out for it, I don't know that I have seen grass fed butter in our stores, but then again I usually go for the same brands every time and don't really look for new items