The Omnivore's Dilemma

Livestock today are raised on huge farms. Michael Pollen compares going to one of these farms to going from the country to the city. He discusses how livestock is fed with corn, which is the cheapest form of calories out there. He also brings up the fact that corn is not the most healthy thing to feed these animals. We (humans) experience health effects such as heart disease. Cows that are fed with grass do not show the same results, but because corn is cheaper than grass and because there is a surplus of corn it is the food of choice for these animals. Corn not only has the potential to cause health effects for humans, but also the cows themselves. Cows are not built to only eat starch. Acidosis, diarrhea, ulcers, bloat, rumenitis, and liver disease are all possible health risks that the cows take. Antibiotics are given to the cows to prevent most of these sicknesses. This passage was very interesting and was definitely eye opening. The phrase "you are what you eat" now has a whole new meaning.