Health Alert 131
Last week I ate grisly bear. I shared the meat with a good friend. Afterwards M.F. said that if I hadn’t, he would have lived his whole life without ever tasting bear. His comment made me think. Our ancestors ate wild game – we don’t. What consequences does this have?
In the past, we hunted wild animals for our food. Today we hunt our favorite brand in the grocery store. Wild animals are rich in nutrients not shared by domesticated livestock. As a result we are lacking an important group of essential fatty acids. This causes many of us to have dry fragile skin, dull hair and thin brittle fingernails. And chronic deficiency starves your brain and your immune system.
We can’t all revert to hunting. But we do need to address this problem. It’s a critical part of good health. Today, I’ll show you how to put these natural fats back in your diet. They can give you a wild boost you may be lacking.
* Untamed Health *
Modern cows, pigs, chickens and turkeys all eat grains. This is dramatically different from their naturally occurring wild ancestors. The grain feed lacks the essential nutrients of their previous diets of natural grasses, and weeds with their flowers, roots and seeds.
The industry selects grains because they are very cheap and very fattening. The high glycemic index of corn and other grains induces over secretion of insulin making the animals enormously fat. This is just like the effect that a grain diet has on us. Then we eat those unnaturally raised and diseased animals. If the cow is diseased how can we expect to stay healthy by eating it?
Compare the modern cow to a wild Alaskan bear I recently ate. The bears in that region eat spawning salmon for much of the summer. Later they gorge themselves on berries preparing for hibernation. Our bear still had blueberry stains on its mussel. Salmon are one of the very best sources of Co Q 10 and omega-3’s. Blueberries contain the highest concentration of antioxidants of any know food.
One of the biggest differences between the bear meat and the grain-fed cow meat is the level of the essential fatty acid, omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential forms of fat. And essential they are. Your body needs omega-3 to function properly. And without this sustenance, you’ll become susceptible to a host of devastating diseases.
There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids. They are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexanoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). All of these acids uniquely protect the body. Together, they form an unyielding defense against illness.
Omega-3 plays a crucial role in allowing cell membranes to function properly. They are involved in the body’s ability to repair cells, and protect them from invaders. This defense at a cellular level affects the health of the entire body.
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Health Benefits of Omega-3
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Prevents and treats heart disease
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Increases brain function
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Prevents cancer
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Enhances Vision
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Eases Arthritis
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Treats autoimmune disorders
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Health Benefits of Omega-3
Prevents and treats heart disease Increases brain function
Prevents cancer Enhances vision
Eases arthritis Treats autoimmune disorders
Wild game is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Wild animals usually have a much better body composition (ratio of fat and muscle) than their domestic counterparts. This is due to their diet and activity level.
* Are You Willing To Go Wild? *
I know many of you may not like hunting. I am not a hunter. But you can still enjoy the nutritional benefits of wild game. You can order wild game on the internet. You’ll find a comprehensive list for the U.S. and Canada on the www.eatwild.com website.
A good alternative to wild game is grass-fed beef. This is as nutritionally close to wild game you can get. The best way to get grass-fed products is through a private farm.
Some grocery stores are starting to offer grass fed beef. You can buy Maverick brand free ranging grass fed beef at Publix Supermarkets. You’ll probably need to ask the butcher.
Like wild game, you can order grass-fed beef over the internet. I order mine from www.grasslandbeef.com. They deliver the beef right to your doorstep.
Fresh game is usually leaner than domesticated animals. I recommend cooking wild game for about half the time you would a grain fed animal. It has less fat for insulation and cooks fast. Serve it rare if you like the taste. It will preserve more nutrients. You can braise it, roast it, or throw it on the grill. That’s what our ancestors did.
Al Sears MD