Lamb Health Benefits
The meat of a one year old or younger sheep is called Lamb. This red meat is widely popular all over the world, except however in the United States of America. The main cuts of lamb that are popular are shoulder, rack, shank or the breast, loin and leg. You can also buy ground lamb, which is sold separately. It is usually the leanest of all red meats.
This meat is a staple in many cuisines include Turkey, Greece, Australia, New Zealand and most of the countries in the Middle East. Lamb is, in fact, very common in the Mediterranean diet and often, their good health is attributed to eating lamb regularly. More information on calories in lamb
- As lamb is considered one of the better red meats that you can eat, it has many health benefits.
- The health benefits of lamb meat are as a result of its many nutrients, including the high levels of tryptophan and protein that the meat contains. Lambs are also high in omega 3 fatty acids, folate, choline, homocysteine, vitamin B 12 and other vitamins of the B complex family. Lamb is also high in antioxidants, so you are sure to build a strong immune system. Lamb is also high in zinc, adding to your daily intake of this mineral.
- The lamb liver in particular is also good for you. The health benefits of lamb liver include ingestion of good quality protein. One serving of lamb can give you up to 23 grams or 40 per cent of daily intake of protein. Lamb liver is also very high in fat and rich in vitamin A.
- Lamb kidney also has many health benefits. They are rich in protein and not very high in calories. Lamb kidneys are not very high in calories and even contain high amounts of iron, up to 35 per cent of your daily requirement.
- Lamb is the second best choice of protein for bodybuilding. Though organically grown lamb is lean, it still contains high quantities of fat. Bodybuilders consume this protein but only with properly controlled portion size. An ideal inclusion is lamb once a week in your meals.
- Lamb is one important meat that can be had during diabetes too. The organ meats, especially liver and kidney of lamb, are extremely beneficial for people suffering from diabetes. Lamb is often promoted by diabetic associations as a good meat. You can include lamb in meals at least once a week.
- Eating excessive red meat, including lamb, can result in high cholesterol. High levels of homocysteine are responsible for high cholesterol and cardiovascular problems.
- Lamb contains acids that help metabolize homocysteine but eating too much of lamb also has its side effects. However, the levels of cholesterol are the lowest in lamb compared to beef or pork.
- Eating lamb regularly has been known to reduce cardiovascular risk, as seen in Mediterranean diets and lifestyle.
Lamb Side Effects
- Like any meat, especially red meat, eating too much of it can result in its own set of effects on your health.
- As this meat has a lot of inherent fat, eating it too often can result in long term cardiovascular and cholesterol problems.
- Lamb meat contains purines. People who suffer from kidney stones or gout are discouraged from eating this meat as the body is unable to filter out the purines.
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