We have been hearing for years that consumption of red meat contributes to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. But now, according to this podcast, there are now three new reasons to avoid eating red meat.
- The amino acids in egg yolks and in red meat cause a chemical reaction in your gut that results in the production of a chemical called TMAO, which causes hardening of the arteries and “clumping” of your blood. This is not a topic that was discussed even ten years ago. This brings into question high protein, low carb diets like the paleo or keto diets.
- The Lone Star tick bite causes an anti-body to develop in the human body so that the next time you eat red meat after a Lone Star tick bite, you could actually go into anaphylactic shock due to the severe allergic reaction it will cause. This reaction could be as severe as that of a person with a nut allergy.
- Neu5Gc is a molecule naturally found on cell surfaces in mammals other than human. When humans eat red meat, it is introduced into the body. Because our bodies do not recognize this substance, we will form anti-bodies to fight it. Repeatedly eating red meat will activate the anti-bodies causing a chronic inflammatory response, which could lead to an increased risk of tumor formation and cardiovascular disease.
There are other reasons to avoid red meat as well. The high amount of saturated fat in animal protein, leads to a build up of cholesterol in the arteries. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that the presence of the saturated fat in red meat contributes to the risk of colon and breast cancer. Cooking meat at a high temperature changes the surface of the meat making it carcinogenic. The type of iron found in meat is called heme iron and is found to produce compounds that damage cells leading to the development of cancer.
There are also some benefits to eating small amounts of red meat. The iron contained in red meat is readily absorbable by the body. It’s also a good source of Vitamin B12 that supports the development of DNA and maintains the health of nerves and red blood cells. It also provides zinc for a healthy immune system. And of course, let’s not forget the protein for strong bones and muscles. there are other food sources for these nutrients that don’t come with the warning that eating red meat does.
If you are going to eat red meat, it would be wise to follow these guidelines:
- Only eat red meat a few times per week. People who consume red meat daily tend to die earlier than those who do not.
- Use meat as a side dish rather than the main event in your meal. Do not allow it to take the place of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
- Stay away from all processed meats like bacon, cold cuts, sausage, and hot dogs. These highly processed meats increase the risk of colon cancer.
- When choosing cuts of meat, go for the leaner choices like anything with the word “loin” in the name or filet mignon.
- Do not burn or sear red meat or use a high temperature to cook it. And don’t cook it to “well done”. If you use a grill, use indirect heat and a lean cut so the fat doesn’t cause a flare-up or smoke. This causes a chemical change that is carcinogenic.
- When grilling, use less meat by making kebobs, alternating meat and veggies on skewers.
- Choose grass fed whenever possible. This is usually leaner and has more omega-3 fatty acids.
There are plenty of alternatives to achieve the nutritional benefit gained by eating red meat that are less detrimental to your good health. I’ll talk about them in a later post.
As a health coach, I work with women who are facing serious health challenges like heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes or who have been diagnosed as having a precursor to a serious health issue such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar. I help them make food and lifestyle changes so they can get healthy, live longer and enjoy a fuller, happier, more energetic life. If you would like to have a free consultation about the health challenges you have and the improvements you would like to see in your health, click here to schedule a no strings attached call.
