Dairy cows that are fed flaxseed produce more nutritious milk, according to a new study by Oregon State University.
Their milk contained more omega-3 fatty acids and less saturated fat, the study found.
Diets high in saturated fat can increase cholesterol and cause heart disease, while those rich in omega-3 and other polyunsaturated fatty acids may reduce the risk of heart disease, studies have shown.
Traditional cattle feed mixtures of corn, grains, alfalfa hay and grass silage result in dairy products with low concentrations of omega-3 and other polyunsaturated fats, according to Gerd Bobe, the lead scientist on the study, which has been published online in the Journal of Dairy Science.
Ten pregnant cows at OSU's dairy were fed different amounts of flaxseed ? up to seven percent of their daily diet. Researchers attempted to pinpoint the amount of flaxseed that would maximize the amount of omega-3 in milk and dairy products without negatively affecting their production and texture.
"We were looking for a sweet spot," said Bobe, an expert in human and animal nutrition. "Too much of a good thing can be bad, especially when trying to maintain consistency with dairy products."
Collaborators in OSU's food science and technology department assisted in turning milk into butter and fresh cheese, which were then tested for texture and nutritional composition.
The study found that feeding cows up to six pounds of extruded flaxseed improved the fat profile without negatively affecting the production and texture of the milk and other dairy products. Extrusion presses raw ground flaxseed into pellets with heat.
At six pounds per day, saturated fatty acids in whole milk fat dropped 18 percent, poly-unsaturated fatty acids increased 82 percent, and omega-3 levels rose 70 percent compared to feeding no flaxseed.
Similar improvements were observed in butter and cheese.
Still, saturated fat accounted for more than half of the fatty acids in the dairy products while the increase in polyunsaturated fats compromised no more than nearly nine percent of the total.
Researchers also noted that the refrigerated butter was softer and less adhesive thanks to fewer saturated fatty acids. Also, the cows produced the same amount of milk while eating flaxseed.
Although flaxseed costs more than traditional cattle feeds, Bobe hopes that it still could be an affordable feed supplement for cows because products enriched with omega-3 can sell for a premium at the grocery store.
"Many consumers already show a willingness to pay extra for value-added foods, like omega-3 enriched milk," he said.
One thing is for sure, he said: Dairy farmers will have no trouble convincing cows to eat flaxseed. "They loved it. They ate it like candy," he said.
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Oregon State University: http://www.orst.edu
Thanks to Oregon State University for this article.
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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/126482/Cows_fed_flaxseed_produce_more_nutritious_dairy_products
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Although southern California is celebrated as a sports car mecca, sport utility vehicles of every size and type were among the biggest hits at the
2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show. More than 40 different brands parked their new models and concept renditions on the ?red carpet? at the Los Angeles Convention Center, as 50 new vehicles made their premier entrance or global debut. The LAIAS is among the most significant shows in annual big-city show season in the U.S. and the home of the Greater Los Angeles Auto Dealers Association (GLANCDA), the umbrella organization for local and regional dealers. The LAIAS is followed by 2013 auto shows in Detroit (January), Chicago (February), New York (April) and other cities across the nation.
The LAIAS is truly a show of strength in the industry and a showplace for designers and engineers that are charged to create the future?and LA is where creativity lives!
Among the captivating unveilings, all enhanced by bold musical and visual entertainment (think Golden Globes or Oscars!), there was an assortment of sport utility vehicles, one of the top-selling and most-popular segments of the automotive world today. Today?s SUVs are stronger, smarter and more savvy, and are notably smaller than the behemoths of the nineties and early 2000?s-era, although almost all have more room. And, they are also dressed with more ?jewelry?, with bigger and bolder grilles, clever lighting design and flashy wheels, regardless of whether their mission is more militaristic or for the country club. Note: there were no pickup trucks brought to the show, which are often introduced in Detroit, Chicago or New York.
Following are the evocative SUVs that took Top Honors in my book and a few that were engaging and deserve honorable mentions? a few of my favorite things:
2014 Subaru Forester and 2014 Forester Turbo (a meld of SUV capability and WRX know-how, says Subie!) It?s crazy popular for a few reasons: all-wheel-drive traction, decent fuel economy and a modest price, among them; and Subaru will keep its price modest in the low 20?s. Uplevel models will get a new Eyesight driver assistance system and Starlink infotainment, as well as Hill Descent Control.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe-This updated SUV (Santa Fe Sport) now gets a stablemate that?s 8.5? longer, with three rows of seats; it holds more people, more cargo volume and a new power liftgate. Other goodies include heated rear seats!
2014 Kia Sorento-Built on a new platform, with a panoramic roof that lets the sun shine in, gets new mechanicals and a new interior.
With my daughter?s sleepover birthday party coming up this weekend, I needed ideas for a good movie to show the nine girls or I?d be screwed. So I headed over to Facebook and posted my question.
Read more from Ellen at Love That Max