question: You always say cut out red meat and processed meat, but they’re everywhere and hard to avoid.Does it really matter? — Kevin G., Lincoln, Nebraska
answer: It’s certainly a meaningful question. Up to three-quarters of Americans eat at least one serving of red or processed meat such as hot dogs, lamb chops, bacon, hamburgers, and steak each day. The Cleveland Clinic says these dietary habits are associated with higher intakes of saturated fat and higher intakes of preservatives, colors, and other added chemicals found in processed meats. This increases bad LDL cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, heart disease, and obesity.
Red and processed meats also promote inflammation throughout the body by altering the function of bacteria in the gut biome. Despite recent backlash against this idea, overwhelming evidence shows that the combination of saturated fat and a chemical called carnitine found in red meat produces inflammatory proteins in the gut that are then absorbed into the body. There is data.
Still skeptical? A new study published in BMJ Global Health confirms the benefits of eating more healthy fish, white meat, protein-rich grains and vegetables instead of red meat, and replacing red meat with herring or sardines. These simple steps could save you up to $750,000. Survive every year by 2050. How? By reducing deaths from diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and colon cancer. Damn it! Salmon and ocean trout are also effective.
The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are heart-healthy, regulate gut health, promote healthy cholesterol levels, and help control inflammation. Other benefits of giving up red and processed meat come from replacing it with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that provide the nutrients your body needs. Check out our vegetable and fish recipes to help you make the switch. at iHerb.com/blog/recipes And then LongevityPlaybook.com.
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Dr. Mike Rosen www.longevityplaybook.comDr. Mehmet Oz is a global advisor to. www.iHerb.com, the world’s leading online health store. Mr. Roizen and Mr. Oz are respectively Chief Health Officer Emeritus of the Cleveland Clinic and Professor Emeritus of Columbia University.
(c)2024 Michael Roizen, MD
Distributed by King Features Syndicate.
