A recent study by Washington State University suggests organic milk, produced by cows eating primarily pasture grass, provides a better ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
While that may be true, it might not be all that meaningful, says Greg Miller, executive vice president of research, regulatory and scientific affairs of the National Dairy Council.
“It is important to note that dairy products are not considered a good source of omega-6 or omega-3 fatty acids in the total diet,” says Miller. “The levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in dairy products are in general very low or extremely low, regardless if they are conventional or organic products.
“As such, the differences in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in conventional vs. organic dairy presented by the authors would not impact the overall dietary ratio of these fatty acids,” he says.
“Milk provides a small proportion of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids we need each day, but the reality is people enjoy organic and regular milk because they deliver a powerhouse of other nutrients in an appealing, safe and readily available way,” Miller says.
Read his full article here.
