Some doctors consider trans fat the least healthy form of fat. The ability of trans fat to lower so-called good cholesterol and raise "bad" cholesterol makes heavy trans fat consumption particularly dangerous for your heart health. More than 80 percent of trans fat in a typical diet comes from partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils used in processed foods, according to "The Johns Hopkins Textbook of Dyslipidemia." However, a very small proportion of trans fat in the human diet comes from meat sources. The meat and dairy products of ruminant animals, including goats, contains very small quantities of a natural trans fat called CLA.
Nutritional Information
Raw goat meat contains 109 calories in every 100 g. serving, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, standard nutrient database. The same portion of meat contains 20.6 g. of protein, 2.3 g. of fat and zero carbohydrates or dietary fiber. Overall, goat meat is a lean source of protein, with a fat content of less than 3 percent. Of this fat, roughly one-third is saturated fat and the rest is unsaturated. The content of trans fats within the unsaturated fat portion is very small — less than 0.2 g. in every 100 g. of meat. Goat meat also contains some 57 mg of cholesterol per 100 g. serving.
About Trans Fats
Trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, are typically created from liquid vegetable oils which are then artificially processed to become somewhat solid at room temperature. Chemically, this process is achieved through the introduction of hydrogen atoms into the molecular structure. Another name for these processed trans fats is partially hydrogenated oils. Trans fats are commonly found in processed snack foods, fried foods and certain margarines. Trans fats are used to improve the shelf life, texture and flavor of processed foods.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid
Conjugated linoleic acid, also known as CLA, is a trans fatty acid which occurs without any artificial process. This naturally-occurring fatty acid is found in eggs and in the meat of ruminant animals. Meat from deer, goats, sheep and cattle all typically contains small quantities of CLA. The dairy products of ruminant animals — milk, cheese and more — also contain small quantities of CLA. Unlike artificially-produced trans fatty acids, CLA is not linked to negative health effects. The trans fats listed on a food's nutritional label do not include CLA content.
CLA in Goat's Milk
The goat’s diet more strongly affects the nutritional composition of its milk than is the case with cow's milk. The CLA content of goat's milk increases significantly when the goat is fed on fresh grass or with vegetable oil supplements, according to a study published in the May 2003 issue of the "Journal of Dairy Science." Untreated oilseeds in the goat's diet do not have a significant effect on the CLA composition of the milk.
References
- "The Johns Hopkins Textbook of Dyslipidemia"; Peter Kwiterovich; 2009
- University of Michigan Integrated Medicine: Healing Foods Pyramid
- "Journal of Dairy Science"; A Review of Nutritional and Physiological Factors Affecting Goat Milk Lipid Synthesis and Lipolysis; Y. Chilliard, et al.; May 2003
- MayoClinic.com: Trans Fat is Double Trouble for your Heart Health
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