Research Shows New Harmful Effects Of Red Meat

Research shows new harmful effects of red meat

When red meat is digested in the intestines, bacteria produce a harmful substance that contributes to the development of heart disease.

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Doctors and nutritionists have long warned that too much red meat in the diet can be bad for heart health. The American Heart Association recommends eating lean meats like skinless chicken or fish because they are lower in saturated fat, which can raise bad cholesterol.

According to two new studies, consumption of red meat significantly increases the production of a chemical called TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide), which increases the risk of heart disease and premature death. In addition, scientists have made a discovery that a diet rich in red meat can alter kidney function.

“One of our most surprising results was that a diet rich in red meat really changed kidney function. We saw that kidney function changed with the constant influence of diet. This, as far as I know, was not previously known,”said Dr. Stanley Hazen of the Cleveland Clinic.

TMAO is produced by gut bacteria during the digestion of red meat. Measuring its level in the blood can be another strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The first study, published in the European Heart Journal, showed significant increases in TMAO levels (10-fold in 10 months) on a controlled diet rich in red meat. This has not happened to people on other diets - vegetarian and rich in white meat (poultry and fish). TMAO levels were not affected by other vegetarian sources of fat either. Stopping the consumption of red meat resulted in a decrease in plasma TMAO levels within four weeks.

A second study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigations, found that gut bacteria convert the amino acid carnitine to TMAO. Carnitine as a dietary supplement for meat-eaters accelerated the production of TMAO by intestinal bacteria. In the bodies of vegetarians and vegans, the production of TMAO increased only after a few weeks.

“These results support current dietary guidelines that call for a heart-healthy eating plan that restricts red meat at all ages. This means eating a variety of foods, including more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy and plant-based protein sources such as beans and peas,”said Charlotte Pratt, Ph.D., research project leader at the National Heart Institute., lungs and blood (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute).