Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #432001
Research Project: Transdisciplinary Research that Improves the Productivity and Sustainability of Northern Great Plains Agroecosystems and the Well-Being of the Communities They Serve

Location: Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory

Title: Consumption of several pasture-raised foods substantially improves red blood cell omega-3 fatty acids in healthy adults

Author
item Kronberg, Scott
item VAN VLIET, STEPHAN - Utah State University
item VARRE, JOSEPH - Utah State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/21/2026
Publication Date: 1/21/2026
Citation: Kronberg, S.L., Van Vliet, S., Varre, J. 2026. Consumption of several pasture-raised foods substantially improves red blood cell omega-3 fatty acids in healthy adults. Meeting Abstract. 1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: We evaluated the effect of consuming pasture-raised versus conventionally-raised beef, pork, chicken and eggs on red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid profiles and cardiovascular health markers in healthy adults using a 16-week randomized, parallel-arm controlled trial with 80 adults aged 30 to 65 with a body mass index of 25 to 35 kg/m2, who were allocated to consume either pasture-raised (n=40) or the conventionally-raised (n=40) animal-based foods while maintaining their habitual diet, but avoiding fish consumption. We also measured trial effects on plasma lipid profiles, blood pressure, glucose metabolism markers and dietary intake patterns assessed with 24-hour dietary recalls. Consumption of the combination of pasture-raised foods markedly improved RBC omega-3 fatty acid profiles and reduced the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in healthy adults but did not impact traditional cardiovascular risk markers during this relatively short-term trial. However, other studies suggest that prolonged elevation of omega-3 levels is associated with a decreased risk of metabolic disease. So, for people with low seafood consumption, findings from our trial suggest that eating pasture-raised animal-based foods can be a viable strategy for enhancing omega-3 status.