Thanks for the chatGPT response, but it literally doesn’t address why grains are bad, as suggested in your OP. Grass fed, grass finished puritans would have you justify the higher cost of that type of beef for a marginal omega-3/CLA (i don’t even know what the fuck that is) boost in your consumption. 🤷🏻♂️
Discussion
I feel a difference in my body and well being when I eat one vs. the other. It is no one other than myself and my body that I listen to. However the AI response summarizes it quite clearly as well!!!! Very very clearly in fact. You have a choice and preference. So do I. And you asked why one over the other. It is more nutritional. I am carnivore. I don't eat grains. And I prefer to have my cows grain free. Simple.
This is the response I would have expected to my first comment, not a chatGPT response bloated with wordy (most likely biased & potentially non factual) “science”. However, grains are not inherently “good” or “bad”. They are naturally occurring in this world and many of our ancestors have sustained themselves on them. I understand being cognizant of what our food eats, but how privileged it is to even have this preference.
No question. I am glad that this option exists and grateful that I can make this choice and will until I can! This is all I eat and it is medicine for me. The chatgpt response provides some factual info that I did not want to or have time energy and desire to take the time to write out. But I did want to respond so now you have both.
When you have been healing for decades and continue to have deep sensitivity to anything aggravating and challenging your system like I have you begin to pay attention to the smallest distinctions and yes what your food eats. Only I know my own healing journey and my body and I get to live in it. I don't have to justify why I have formed my own belief systems and or go down a certain rabbit hole. Do what works for you. I am doing what works for me and apparently others find it real for them as well. I prefer grass fed grass finished cows.
A friend pointed to me a couple years ago when driving through Sonoma - that the farms with cows we pass we can identify whether they are grains or grass fed by the smell. The cows that had no gas were in their natural diet. The cow farms we passed by that had a very farty stinky stinge were grain fed.
I noticed this with my A2/A2 all grass fed farmer up north as well. Not very stinky.
Appreciate your perspective and responses, truly. It’s sobering to have discourse like this on any form of social media these days without it coming down to ad hominem or a simple “I’m right, you’re wrong” 🙂
Grains aren't natural to a cow's biological system for several key reasons:
Digestive System Structure:
- Cows are ruminants with a complex 4-chambered stomach designed specifically for grass and fibrous plants
- Their rumen (first stomach) contains specific bacteria that break down grass cellulose
- The rumen maintains a neutral pH when processing grass, but becomes acidic with grains
Health Issues from Grain:
1. Acidosis:
- Grains ferment quickly, creating excess acid in the rumen
- This acid can damage the rumen wall
- Can lead to liver abscesses and ulcers
2. Digestive Problems:
- Reduced cud chewing, which is essential for proper digestion
- Less saliva production, which normally helps buffer stomach acid
- Can cause bloat and other digestive disturbances
3. Bacterial Changes:
- Grain feeding alters the natural gut microbiome
- Promotes growth of harmful bacteria like E. coli
- Reduces beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion
4. Nutritional Stress:
- Forces their bodies to process nutrients they didn't evolve to handle
- Can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Places stress on their liver and other organs
Natural Behavior:
- Cows naturally spend 8-12 hours daily grazing grass
- Grain feeding disrupts this natural behavior
- Can lead to stress and behavioral issues
This is why many farmers who grain-feed must also give their cattle antibiotics and other medications to manage these health issues, while grass-fed cattle typically require far fewer interventions.