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How agricultural practices influence the nutrient density of foods, particularly meat, and the importance of hidden compounds beyond standard nutrition labels.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

Nutrient density profiling: Labs analyze thousands of compounds beyond macros and vitamins; this “dark matter” includes phytonutrients that may support health despite not being essential.
Phytonutrients in foods: Plant secondary metabolites like polyphenols act as antioxidants and influence pathways like mTOR; animals convert plant compounds into bioactives humans access via meat.
Red meat definition: Refers to meats high in myoglobin, including beef and lamb; most meats are red in wild forms, but human intervention affects color and classification.
Ruminant animals: Animals like cows that have multi-chambered stomachs to digest plants; this metabolism differs from non-ruminants (e.g. chickens), affecting nutrient profiles in their meat.
Grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef: Grass-fed has higher omega-3 fats and phytonutrients from diverse plants; studies show it improves human omega-6:3 ratios and biomarkers from grass-fed, pastured-raised animals.
Farming practices & variations: Plant diversity boosts beef nutrients.
Upcoming research: Long-term trials on effects of pasture-raised foods on human health; interactive dashboards for farmers to profile nutrients and inform policy.

ABOUT THE GUEST: Stephan Van Vliet, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences at Utah State University, where he directs the Center for Human Nutrition Studies, focusing on linking food production systems to nutrient profiles and conducting clinical trials on health impacts.

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