title: Increased concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids in milk and platelet rich plasma of grass-fed cows.
abstract: Epidemiological data indicate that omega-3 fatty acids protect from cardiovascular diseases and hyperlipidemia. Cold water fish is the major recognized source of omega-3 fatty acids but fish is not a staple food in many countries. Since terrestrial green plants may also represent a source of omega-3 fatty acids we tested the hypothesis that platelet rich plasma and milk from cows feeding exclusively on green grass contains more omega-3 fatty acids than milk from cows fed conserved grass. The relative concentrations of linolenic acid (18:3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) and the ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid (20:4) which is critical for the formation of omega-3 derived eicosanoids were significantly higher in milk from grass fed cows. Similar changes were seen in the fatty acid composition of platelets. Half a liter of milk from grass-fed cows provides approximately 191 mg 18:3 and 14 mg 20:5. In this regard milk from grass fed cows may be nutritionally superior to milk from cows eating conserved grass.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Hebeisen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hoeflin
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Reusch
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Junker
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lauterburg
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D006109:Poaceae; D012621:Seasons; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid