Venison meat or beef alternative

Venison is a nutritious alternative for beef and is also cost effective. Its taste is similar to that of sharp red wine. It has a flexible and soft texture. Venison is a great and healthy part of a diet, as it provides a good amount of protein. It contains less amount of saturated fat. Around 69 per cent of the daily value of protein is provided by four ounces of venison.

It is a good source of iron and is recommended for vulnerable group, such as, menstruating women, due to their menstrual loss.

Other individuals included in the vulnerable group are growing children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and adolescents. Iron is essential for the hemoglobin, which acts as an oxygen carrier to the cells. It is a better source of iron, in comparison to beef and around 28 per cent of the daily value of iron is provided by four ounces of venison in the diet. Venison is a good source of riboflavin, providing 40 per cent of the daily value and niacin, providing 38 per cent of the daily value.

Venison is also a good source of cyanocobalamine or vitamin B12 and other B complex vitamins. Homocysteine synthesis is alleviated by vitamin B6 and B12, as increased homocysteine levels result in blood vessel damage, increase the risk of stroke and atherosclerosis. Correlation between B12 deficiency and osteoporosis is directly proportional. Cobalamine is also essential in decreasing the incidence of colon cancer by protecting the cells of the colon from carcinogens. Venison provides 21.5 per cent of the daily value of vitamin B6 and 60 per cent of the daily value of vitamin B12.

Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is essential in the prevention of migraine. It functions by increasing the energy metabolism. It exhibits a potent role as cofactors, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Riboflavin attaches to flavoproteins as cofactors, resulting in energy synthesis. Flavoproteins are protein enzymes. A protective nature of niacin is seen by preventing mitochondrial damage. Glutathione helps in protecting from this effect. Vitamin B2 helps in glutathione recycling.

Niacin or vitamin b3 decreases the risk of osteoporosis development by 50 per cent. It is vital for energy production. It is seen as cofactors, NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (Nicotinamide adenine mononucleotide). They are necessary for the breakdown of `carbohydrates, fat and protein. They are also essential in the production of starch, used as a source of energy.

Submitted on January 16, 2014