In today’s world, people’s hunger for animal protein keeps growing, and that’s as it should be. Animal protein is the best single source of vital nutrients like vitamin B12, which plays a crucial role in making our brains powerful. However, there’s a significant problem with this increasing demand for animal protein – the animals we consume are no longer hunted in the wild or raised sustainably. Instead, they’re “grown” on commercial farms where antibiotics are used routinely to prevent diseases that arise from their living conditions and to promote faster growth.
You might be wondering how this antibiotic use for animals affects you. The answer is that it can put you at a high risk of developing an infection that can’t be cured. Experts warn that we’ll face more and more incurable infections if we don’t put an end to the abuse of antibiotics for raising animals.
Superbugs and Antibiotics
The excessive use of antibiotics has led to the development of many superbugs that cause infections that can’t be treated by almost any means. The more antibiotics used, the higher the likelihood that bacteria develop resistance to all known remedies.
It’s shocking to know that 80 percent of ALL antibiotics used globally are given to livestock, and this figure continues to rise. A study at Princeton University has warned that, over the next 20 years, the administration of antibiotics to farm animals will grow by 67 percent.
This increase in antibiotic use primarily occurs because of factory farming or what scientists refer to as “intensive farming systems.” These farms are the primary source of meat that is supplied to your local market.
Solution: Pasture-Raised Meat
To protect yourself against this rising threat, you can now look for pasture-raised meat from animals raised without antibiotics. If your local market doesn’t have any, there are a few places online where you can get it.
Three resources that can help you find pasture-raised meat of all kinds are Eatwild (www.eatwild.com), Eat Well Guide (www.eatwellguide.org), and Local Harvest (www.localharvest.org). The USDA also has a large listing of local farmer’s markets where you can find pasture-raised meat.
Getting to know your local farmers who don’t abuse antibiotics and grow healthy, sustainable food can benefit your health, ensuring that you don’t consume antibiotics that can compromise your immune system and leave you open to illnesses of all kinds.
Two other sites that can guide you to pasture-raised meat are Humaneitarian (www.humaneitarian.org), which lists grocery stores that sell grass-fed meats, and American Grassfed Association (www.americangrassfed.org), which has a comprehensive list of grass-fed meat producers.
Benefits of Pasture-Raised Meat
Choosing pasture-raised meat does not only shield you from the risks posed by the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock farming but also has added health benefits:
- Pasture-raised meat is typically leaner and contains fewer calories than meat from animals raised in factory farms.
- It contains more healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for overall health and wellness. These fats are known to support brain function, reduce inflammation, and decrease the risk of chronic diseases.
- Pasture-raised meats are also richer in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. For example, they have higher levels of vitamins A and E, which help support a healthy immune system and better vision.
In conclusion, obtaining your meat from sustainable sources like pasture-raised animals is not only an ethical choice but also a healthier one. By avoiding the consumption of factory-farmed meat, steeped in antibiotics, you will be protecting yourself and your family from the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Additionally, you’ll reap the numerous health benefits offered by pasture-raised meat, ensuring that you live a healthier and more vibrant life.
