A press release today from Newcastle University confirmed past research that has suggested that milk from grass fed cows has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and other (to use the technical term) goodness.  Specifically, though, this study highlights CLA9, conjugated linoleic acid.  CLA9s are fatty acids found only in the meat and dairy of ruminants, and they’re thought to be protective against cancer and cardiovascular disease.  Pay attention, dietary-fat-phobes (like the New York Times’s Tara Parker Pope): here’s a fat that not only doesn’t make you fatter, but it might  even protect you.

For the record, CLA9 is considered a trans fatty acid, but before you run in fear, it’s not the bad kind.  As I’m learning in my I’m-not-a-biochemist-but-I-am-a-nerd way, “trans” basically refers to the hydrogen atoms being on opposite and alternating sides of the carbon chain in the molecule.  The fact that it’s conjugated (the carbon atoms have alternating single and double bonds) makes the trans factor harmless; conjugated trans fats aren’t considered trans fats in the U.S.  

Here’s yet another reminder that when we’re eating foods in their most natural or traditional ways, we’re probably getting more benefits to our health (not to mention our mouths!) than we’ll ever uncover through research, important as the research is.  If cows naturally eat grass, if cows have eaten grass throughout most of cow history, and if cows’ digestion is irritated when they’re fed things other than grass, then don’t you think there’s probably a whole host of health-related reasons (for us and the cows) why feeding cows grass is a good idea?  I do.

This study, by the way, is part of the university’s Quality Low-Input Food project, which includes ongoing research on organic and low-input farming practices.  This may be an interesting source to keep an eye on in the future.