Eating Lots Of Red Meat? You May Want To Rethink That

Over the years I have read various articles and books on the dangers of eating red meat on our bodies and the environment and now a new study has come out (the largest study of its kind) that further confirms these dangers. I personally do not eat red meat, chicken, fish, well any animal at all for humane reasons, however if that is not an issue to you but you are even remotely concerned about your health then you may find the below information helpful and possibly life saving one day.

“According to the largest study of its kind appearing in Monday’s archives of Internal Medicine-older Americans who eat large amounts of red meat and processed meats (hamburger, hot dogs, bacon, cold cuts, etc) face a greater risk of death from heart disease and cancer.

Over 10 years, eating the equivalent of a quarter-pound hamburger daily gave men in the study a 22 percent higher risk of dying of heart disease than women who ate less. That’s compared to those who ate the least red meat, just 5 ounces per week.

Women who ate large amounts of red meat had a 20 percent higher risk of dying of cancer a 50 percent higher risk of dying of heart disease than women who ate less.

For processed meats, the increased risks for large quantities were slightly lower overall than for red meat. The researchers compared deaths in the people with the highest intakes to deaths in people with the lowest to calculate the increased risk.

The researchers compared deaths in the people with the highest intakes to deaths in people with the lowest to calculate the increased risk.

People whose diets contained more white meat like chicken and fish had lower risks of death.

The researchers surveyed more than 545,000 people, ages 50 to 71 years old, on their eating habits, then followed them for 10 years. There were more than 70,000 deaths during that time.

Study subjects were recruited from AARP members, a group that's healthier than other similarly aged Americans. That means the findings may not apply to all groups, Sinha said. The study relied on people's memory of what they ate, which can be faulty.

In the analysis, the researchers took into account other risk factors such as smoking, family history of cancer and high body mass index.

In an accompanying editorial, Barry Popkin, director of the Interdisciplinary Obesity Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, wrote that reducing meat intake would have benefits beyond improved health.

Livestock increase greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming, he wrote, and nations should reevaluate farm subsidies that distort prices and encourage meat-based diets."We've promoted a diet that has added excessively to global warming," Popkin said in an interview.

Successfully shifting away from red meat can be as easy as increasing fruits and vegetables in the diet, said Elisabetta Politi of the Duke Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, N.C.

"I'm not saying everybody should turn into vegetarians," Politi said. "Meat should be a supporting actor on the plate, not the main character."

The National Pork Board and National Cattlemen's Beef Association questioned the findings.

Dietitian Ceci Snyder said in a statement for the pork board that the study "attempts to indict all red meat consumption by looking at extremes in meat consumption, as opposed to what most Americans eat."”
Article from yahoo health


As is generally the case, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association and the National Pork Board questioned these findings. Of course they are going to question anything that goes against them making money so really it is hard for me to even regard anything that they say as nothing more than a selfish attempt to keep misleading the public about the dangers of meat consumption and encouraging people to eat lots of meat so that they can line their own pockets. Many of these studies on the dangers and health concerns of eating meat are provided by non-partisan groups and even the above study was a federal study and in the Archives of Internal Medicine so I believe in the validity of them.

Now keep in mind that this only my opinion and that I am a die hard animal rights activist and think that anyone who raises and kills animals for profits are –well I probably should not say .

Again, only my opinion and my passion to be humane to all beings. That is not to say that I think everyone should be a vegetarian or that those who have carnivorous appetites are wrong but I think those that actually profit from innocent animals being slaughtered are really not who I would like to be in the same room with.

Sorry if I am on my animal rights soapbox today-am going through some rough times at the moment and I tend to be a little more direct than soft right now.

26 comments:

  1. makes sense. I don't eat red meat but my girlfriend does but not as frequently as before.

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  2. More reason to save the cows!

    Hope everythings goin ok.

    -Ryan

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  3. it is alright, Heidi. I actually admire you for standing up for what you believe in. You just express your thoughts, your ideals, and what you believed in. You were very clear i saying you are not asking everyone to be like you, which is great, so nothing to worry. Also, you did a great job in sharing this very helpful information regarding our health. I actually have not developed a taste for red meat, maybe because when I was younger, we only had them on special occasion (it was expensive), and because I seldom tasted it, I could not have it without getting upset stomach. So, I did not have even to give up on it.

    Hope all is well.

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  4. I eat meat but like roast beef. Then i eat chicken and fish so i try and keep a healthy diet. Some times LOL. Have a great one Hedi.

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  5. Heidi, how did you read my mind?! I've been inspired by the Biggest Loser show to get to work on my diet. Jillian Michaels is one great trainer, kicking my butt from here to eternity :) Today, I had only a Greek Salad for lunch, but I have to say I got mighty hungry in the afternoon hours. Any ideas for making sure I get filled up?

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  6. Great post my fellow veggie! Too many eat too much meat, but red meat, as this post shows, is the worst.

    peace,
    mike
    livelife365

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  7. If not for humane reasons, consider the fact that so many drugs and chemicals are in that meat.

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  8. Thanks everyone for the comments and good points! Steve I did want to tell you that I fill up on organic low fat string cheese, nuts (almonds and walnuts) and lots oflow sugar fruits (pineapple, canteloupe, berries) and vegetables. Not only will these foods keep and get you thin but your body will thank you!

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  9. I don;t buy red meat anymore at all. We only use ground turkey and soy products as well as chicken, fish, etc. I feel so much better since we stopped with the beef and the weight is coming off faster too,

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  10. I agree red meat is not good for health. Besides increasing cholesterol level, red meat also increase cancer risk. I do eat red meat once in a while, and I will have to try harder not to eat them! Thanks for this reminder! : )

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  11. I have been cutting down on meat. A doctor friend was scaring me with stories of the meat decaying in my intestines. arghhhh.....

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  12. Hey Heidi!

    One of my favorite health topics! I have been meat free for over 2 years, dairy free for about a year and egg free for a few months and I have to say, I have never felt better!

    These studies are just bringing out to the general public which numerous studies have proven before, but have been suppressed for various reasons. Well with the current health crisis that looms over the US and Canada, I guess they don't want to suppress them anymore but make people aware that this amount of meat that people eat today is insane in terms of the amount and let's not even get into the whole quality!

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  13. I like this..
    "Meat should be a supporting actor on the plate, not the main character."

    that is pretty much my plate..

    And whatever you are going through...hope it gets better! :)

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  15. goog thing that i seldom eat any of the meat as of this moment!:( but now i know i have more reason to lessen soon:)

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  16. We very rarely ever eat red meat anymore at all. But, we do eat chicken and fish. However, we are big veggie fans and consume tons of vegetables.

    Many many times we make our complete meal...simply fresh veggies from the garden. That is when I stay home during the summer and we raise our own!

    Great post Heidi and I happen to love dried pineapple...I hope that's a smart snack!!

    Happy weekend,
    Jackie:-)

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  17. I hate red meat! I would much rather have fish or chicken, but unfortunately hubby loves it. Yuck!

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  18. I am an animal lover too, Heidi, but I love eating meat! It would be hard for me to give it up!

    Maybe when I'm older and no longer have teeth! ;)

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  19. "Women who ate large amounts of red meat had a 20 percent higher risk of dying of cancer a 50 percent higher risk of dying of heart disease than women who ate less."

    on this info i get from you, I am thankful that I am not a red meat and processed meat eater

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  20. Thanks for the post. I do not eat read meat anymore as of 2 years ago but this article was very interesting. I do eat chicken and 99% fat free turkey.

    Check my family blog out at:
    http://www.pbandsmellysdad.com/

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  21. I feel so much better now that I have gone back to my vegetarian diet 5 months ago! I was a vegetarian for four years while I was getting my degree in Nutritional Sciences and so were most of the students in my major. I think that says a lot. Great post!

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  22. This is really eye opening for me. I love red meat, although I don't think I eat too much of it. My family does however enjoy meat tacos, hot dogs, brats and hamburgers. I try to get low fat meats. But it sounds like I am still in trouble. Thanks for sharing this!

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  23. Health Nut:

    No apology is necessary. You are doing the right thing and you are posting the right thing.

    I am a believer. No more red meat.

    Happy trails.

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  24. I think that the negative health implications from longterm meat consumption can be a strain on both the individual's body (though this is an individual choice) and on the healthcare system overall (which affects the country as a whole.) Though I believe in personal choice there is also the whole consequences aspect of those choices.

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  25. That's terrible news! I'm just nuts for red meat. I hate chicken, thanksgiving is for holidays only (as far as I'm concerned) and I get just a little fish here and there.

    Not good news at all.

    Still (and this sounds terrible), if I'm faced with a lifetime of force feeding myself chicken and turkey or dying a little earlier, I'll choose the latter...

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  26. i'm with you on the vegetarianism. i knew there was a reason i don't eat red meat!

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