THE DIFFERENCE OF PASTURE-RASIED EGGS

     Here's a sad fact: most of the conventionally, and even organically, raised hens in the US never see the light of day, or a single blade of green grass in their entire lives.  The good news is there are farms across the country that pasture raise their birds in enjoyable conditions that have been verified independently as Certified Humane, in addition to certified USDA organic.   

     You can find pastured raised eggs at many of these FARMS who spend their days outdoors in fresh air, grazing native grasses in small flocks. Regular rotation onto fresh pasture protects our land from over grazing, and provides the birds a change of scenery and loads of exercise. We are obligated to let our birds exhibit natural behaviors and have a bit of choice about how they spend their days. Salad and exercise make for happy, healthy hens and great eggs! 

     Without a doubt, fresh, pastured eggs are superior in taste and nutrition to conventionally raised commercially available varieties. Eggs have been a highly valued foods since the beginning of time—eggs from chickens, ducks, geese, turtles and fish. Egg yolks are the richest source of two superstar carotenoids—lutein and zeaxanthin.  Not only are bright yellow yolks loaded with these fat-soluble antioxidant nutrients, they are more bioavailable than those found in vegetables, corn and most supplements. While these nutrients have a reputation of combating macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as supporting overall healthy vision, they have a long list of other benefits, including protecting the skin from sun damage and even reducing one’s risk of colon and breast cancer.

     Besides providing all eight essential protein-building amino acids, a large whole, fresh egg offers about six to seven grams of protein and five grams of fat (with about 1.5 grams of it saturated), which comes in handy to help in the absorption of all the egg’s fat-soluble vitamins. One egg also serves up around 200 milligrams of brain-loving cholesterol and contains the valuable vitamins A, K, E, D, B-complex and minerals iron, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. Choline, another egg-nutrient, is a fatty substance found in every living cell and is a major component of our brain. Additionally, choline helps break up cholesterol deposits by preventing fat and cholesterol from sticking to the arteries. So the bottom line is, don’t be chicken about eating eggs, especially the cholesterol-rich yolks!

In Health & Happiness 

Gloria P. 


Reference: 

Sommerburg O, Keunen JE, Bird AC, van Kuijk FJ. Fruits and vegetables that are sources for lutein and zeaxanthin: the macular pigment in human eyes. Br J Ophthalmol. 1998 Aug;82(8):907-10
Saitoh S, Sato T, Harada H, Takita T. Transfer of soy isoflavone into the egg yolk of chickens. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2001 Oct;65(10):2220-5.Hope BK, Baker R, Edel ED, Hogue AT, Schlosser WD, Whiting R, McDowell RM, Morales RA. An overview of the Salmonella enteritidis risk assessment for shell eggs and egg products. Risk Anal. 2002 Apr;22(2):203-18.
Raw Eggs for Your Health—Major Update. http://www.mercola.com/2002/nov/13/ eggs.htm.