Columbia, MO (AgNewsWire) February often brings to mind thoughts of big, red hearts – which is why it was chosen as American Heart Month to get us thinking on heart health. And according to the Missouri Beef Industry Council (MBIC), lean red meat can play an important role in a heart-healthy diet.
Alane Lidolph, MBIC Director of Consumer Information, says one of the major heart health concerns right now is trans fatty acids and it’s important to know the difference between man-made and natural trans fats when reducing them in the diet.
“The man-made trans-fatty acids, those dangerous ones found in baked goods, are really detrimental to heart health. But the naturally-occurring trans-fatty acids like those found in beef may have heart-protective benefits,” Lidolph said. “One in particular, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is something that’s really being looked at to see what kind of protective benefits it has for your health.”
Health researchers believe CLA may have positive effects in the prevention of certain types of cancer, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.