Generalizations in red meat studies have led to potentially unhealthy advice (Opinion)

Thursday, September 15, 2011 by: Tony Isaacs
Tags: read meat, myths, health news

(NewsTarget) A number of recent studies about red meat consumption have led to widely publicized advice that eating red meat is unhealthy. However, such studies have often made flawed generalizations. As a result, many people have likely been mislead into believing that red meat is bad in and of itself and may be missing out on vital nutrients if they avoid red meat entirely.

First of all, the studies fail to fully look at the differences in diet and lifestyles of red meat eaters versus those who eat little or no red meat, and secondly, they also largely fail to distinguish between the different kinds of red meat products consumed. Thus far, virtually no studies compared people who ate little or no red meat and lived healthily overall with those who ate moderate amounts of healthy forms of red meat and otherwise lived equally as healthily.

Not all meat or vegetable eaters are the same

Too often, the red meat studies group people into "red meat eaters" and "vegetable eaters" without fully looking at the differences in dietary and health habits between the two groups other than just red meat consumption. Specifically, the studies have failed to consider the healthier overall habits of many of those who consume more vegetables or the bad health habits of many of the people who consume more red meat.

People, who are mostly or fully vegetarians, tend to be more active and health conscious. In addition to eating plenty of healthy vegetables and fruits, they also tend to eat fewer unhealthy items such as junk and fast foods. They also tend to be more physically active and have fewer bad health habits such as smoking.

On the other hand, those who eat lots of red meat include the people who eat the very worst forms of red meat. Such people also have a greater tendency to eat other unhealthy foods - such as junk foods, fast foods, sugar-laden foods and processed foods. The group also includes more people with overall unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles.

Not all red meat products are the same

In studies where only overall red meat consumption is considered, six ounces of beef franks, beef salami or processed beef product are considered to be equal to a lean six ounce cut of organic free range beef - and there is a world of difference between them. Processed meat products contain a number of unhealthy items, which may include such items as carcinogenic nitrite, fillers and artificial additives for color, taste, texture and shelf life and less healthy forms of beef from feedlots.

Typical feedlot beef contains unhealthy growth hormones and antibiotics, and the cattle may have fed on pastures where herbicides and pesticides were applied. By contrast, organic free range beef contains no growth hormones or antibiotics and has been raised entirely in open range. Such free range beef also usually has a higher mineral content due to feeding on natural grasses and other plants.

Essential nutrients found in red meat

Beef is a wonderful source of protein and contains over 80 nutrients including abundant vitamin B-12 - which is found only in animal products and is essential for cells found in muscles, the brain and the nervous system. Other essential nutrients found in beef include zinc, phosphorous, iron, pantothenate, vitamin B6, thiamin, selenium, niacin, riboflavin and magnesium.

Conclusion

Instead of warning about all red meat consumption, the message that should be spread from the studies is: the key to avoiding illness and to living longer and healthier is to eat and live more healthily in many ways.

Sources included:

https://www.naturalnews.com/033450_processed_...
http://www.beefinfo.org/Default.aspx?id=13&A...
agweb.okstate.edu/fourh/aitc/lessons/intermed/beef.pdf
magissues.farmprogress.com/BeefProducer/BP10Oct09/bp09.pdf

About the author

Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcher who hosts The Best Years in Life website for those who wish to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. Mr. Isaacs is the author of books and articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" and is working on a major book project due to be published later this year. He is also a contributing author for the worldwide advocacy group "S.A N.E.Vax. Inc" which endeavors to uncover the truth about HPV vaccine dangers.
Mr. Isaacs is currently residing in scenic East Texas and frequently commutes to the even more scenic Texas hill country near Austin and San Antonio to give lectures and health seminars. He also hosts the CureZone "Ask Tony Isaacs - featuring Luella May" forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group "Oleander Soup" and he serves as a consultant to the "Utopia Silver Supplement Company".