Too Much Meat?

People who eat a lot of red meat and processed meats have a higher risk of several types of cancer, including lung cancer and colorectal cancer, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.

The work is the first big study to show a link between meat and lung cancer. It also shows that people who eat a lot of meat have a higher risk of liver and esophageal cancer and that men raise their risk of pancreatic cancer by eating red meat.

"A decrease in the consumption of red and processed meat could reduce the incidence of cancer at multiple sites," Dr. Amanda Cross and colleagues at the U.S. National Cancer Institute wrote in their report, published in the Public Library of Science journal PLoS Medicine.

The researchers studied 500,000 people aged 50 to 71 who took part in a diet and health study done in conjunction with the AARP, formerly the American Association for Retired Persons.

After eight years, 53,396 cases of cancer were diagnosed.

"Statistically significant elevated risks (ranging from 20 percent to 60 percent) were evident for esophageal, colorectal, liver, and lung cancer, comparing individuals in the highest with those in the lowest quintile of red meat intake," the researchers wrote.

The people in the top 20 percent of eating processed meat had a 20 percent higher risk of colorectal cancer -- mostly rectal cancer -- and a 16 percent higher risk for lung cancer.

"Furthermore, red meat intake was associated with an elevated risk for cancers of the esophagus and liver," the researchers wrote.

These differences held even when smoking was accounted for.

"Red meat intake was not associated with gastric or bladder cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, or melanoma," added the researchers, whose study is freely available on the Internet at http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document& doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0040325.

Red meat was defined as all types of beef, pork and lamb. Processed meat included bacon, red meat sausage, poultry sausage, luncheon meats, cold cuts, ham and most types of hot dogs including turkey dogs.

Meats can cause cancer by several routes, the researchers noted. "For example, they are both sources of saturated fat and iron, which have independently been associated with carcinogenesis," the researchers wrote.

Meat is also a source of several chemicals known to cause DNA mutations, including N-nitroso compounds (NOCs), heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Jeanine Genkinger of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and Anita Koushik of the University of Montreal said the findings fit in with other research.

"Meat consumption in relation to cancer risk has been reported in over a hundred epidemiological studies from many countries with diverse diets," they wrote in a commentary.

[jmjm530]

Does a double-cheese Whopper constitute 'too much meat' and is it true that the fries are protective in the sense that they will kill you before cancer develops?

[Proactive]

Hey, I don't mine you screwing around with religion, but please, don't mess around with red meat!!!!
...............;^)

[Forseegood]

sorry, but don't shoot the messenger! I'm blanking on that guy who used to post here, what was his name? He was a monk in terms of his own lifestyle...I probably sound as obnoxious as he sometimes did...lol....I believe in moderation, but, moderation to me might not be moderation to you, I realize...I should be more sensitive to the big carnivores amongst us, but I draw the line at those big, Fred Flintstone ribcage things...yikes!

[jmjm530]

Just kidding around with you, and actually have started to eat less meat of all kinds recently. (Hardly ate red meat before anyway because of sat fat). You're thinking of "Rocker", i.e. "RockerForLife".

[Forseegood]

oh yeah...I hope he's doing okay. He'd come in here fightin with his veggies and protein powder...lol....

[jmjm530]

Hopefully those days are over when people get upset with other people's diet. Yeah, right, forgot, this is MH :)

[R Glass]

Hey, since I began battling this Demon, I had to give up Alcohol and a few other “Pleasures of Life”. I have to draw the line somewhere and it is drawn before my Fat & Juicy, Steaks.

[charm27]

hmmmm....juicy succulent prime rib...my mouth is watering.
We all have to die of something, I 'll go that way.

Charm

[R Glass]

As Proactive would say, Amen (LOL)

[Forseegood]

Hi, I was reading your profile...youre treating a long time, best of luck...did you think the sides were worse in the beginning, middle or now? or up and down..probably all of the above? just wondering...thanks!

[scratchinghead]

Yep, the less rotting animal we have in our intestines the better. Thank you for the post. I can keep my diet a little straighter when these subjects are revisited over and over.

[Trish77]

This is where I draw the line too...I'm definitely a carnivore.   Can't go without my burgers and steaks...that's just not living!!!

[Lady Lauri]

  Good to go on that one. Rarely eat meat, always liked the 'good for you food', goes better with my after dinner 3000 chemicals in it cig!... :{
    ( chocolate is a good for you food nowadays, right??)

                                                                             LL

[kittyface]

Good article.

Wonder if the culprit is the meat or the antibiotics/pesticides residue in the meat.  Wonder if deer meat is harmful.  Just wondering. . .

KF (KIttyface, not Kentucky Fried in case all you good people from South Carolina were wondering)

[mayday557]

There's some good info there.  I know red meats are harder on the digestive tract and produce ammonia - not the best thing.

I'm wondering tho...the nitrates, amines and hydrocarbons that can have adverse reactions and developement of DNA structure ~ are those naturally found in the animals and if so what would be the percentages.  Or are these components caused by what poisons we've added to our livestock's chow and fertilize our fields with?

Just asking'cuz I work with a man who raises beef cattle in a natural envirnment...eating grass and kept in a field.

[Forseegood]

hi, I'm no expert on this, I just feel that if you can eat less meat, whatever it is, youre better off...I'm not talking about veganism though...lol...

[mikesimon]

I think hot dogs are an acceptable alternative to red meat. They're not only good for you -  they taste great too!  Mike

[nygirl7]

I saw this on the news yesterday myself - I thought hot dogs might be the cure myself!!!!!!   :)  All those vitamins!!!!!!!!!  ;)

[Myown]

"If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding.
How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?"

[jmjm530]

MO: "If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding.
--------------------
Sorry, but I think I will have to report this to your pastor.

[Myown]

Sorry, but I think I will have to report this to your pastor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hardy har.

I was never really into Pink Floyd  but this song was played out so much on the radio that when I think of the song, I can still hear that line in the song.

[Forseegood]

Leave our MO alone! any sweetie pie like her, that is a Pink Floyd fan, deserves all the pudding she wants! I'm just bummed that I didn't get to go see Led Zepplin, but they are talking about doing a world tour! Didn't I tell ya I'm Queen of the Scrambled Minds!!!!:))

[Myown]

LOL I wasn't a fan of PF.

Led Zepplin - I'd like to see themy myself. I loved Robert Plant when I was young - who didn't?

[Forseegood]

hate to say this, but I think Amy Winehouse will be joining our community shortly, if she can even tell if she is the acute phase...I don't say that to be mean either...But then I sure don't remember any symptoms when I was in any kind of "acute" phase, I wonder if most people do...?

[Myown]

My husband is into Utube now. He didn't realize all the videos they have. We were singing to Bob Dylan the other night together while watching Dylan perform. Felt like 2 old hippies. Where did all the years go~~

[Forseegood]

Oh! those baby doll shirts he used to wear? with all those ringlets? Be still, my foolish heart!!!! Doesn't look quite the same way nowadays though, well, who does? Youth is wasted on the young for sure...But I heard part of their concert and they can still kick A$$$$$!

[susan400]

Thanks for keeping us informed.  I don't think I'll be changing my diet unless it's something that becomes uncomfortable for me to eat.  For example; if eating greasy food gives me a stomache or gallstones, I would then, change my diet.  I used this for my example, because for the most part, when I eat something fried, I do have some discomfort in my belly.  On the other hand, being a Southern in my heritage, there are some foods that I like, that are fried and at times, the temptation to eat them, overcomes my knowledge of the 'bad for you' factor.  With having an Alabama/Florida background, I grew up w/things like Fried Chicken, Fried Okra, Sweet Tea, etc., etc.  I have changed my chicken to Rotissiere, or Baked-most of the time and only on the rare occasions will I eat Fried.  I still love Fried Okra, and get it when I go out somewhere like a Bar-B-Q place that has it.  When I go out for seafood, I get Fried Shrimp, some of the time.  Anyhow, about 80% of the time, I'm eating at home, non-fried foods.  But, if I had to eat a vegetarian diet, I'd probably starve.  I also, don't intend to give up my ice cream - unless that became intolerable to me.  I do use Lactaid milk for my cereal and my coffee.  Anyhow, for me, personally, I feel like I'm doing good because I exercise more than the average Jane; I gave up smoking and drinking and several other bad habits, so I'm going to keep some of the things that I enjoy - like meats and dairy, at least for the foreseeable future (pardon the play on words!    :)     Susan

[Myown]

Yeah the curly hair - perfect curls - not too tight, just perfect.

Yeah I heard part on the internet. He seems to be singing in lower keys though from the little I heard. I think most concerts in my life I felt a little disappointed in that the "live voice" didn't sound as good. It should sound the same or better as far as I am concerned.

[Forseegood]

sounds like youre doing pretty good to me! I figure it this way, if you don't deny yourself totally, it's much easier to keep with a good diet plan...then you don't feel like youre denying yourself too much...I'm talking about eating Big Whoppers every day, etc...and I don't think for a minute that Jim eats that way either...lol....he's a very careful guy,,,he'll live to 90.

[Proactive]

You all are killing me here....I would love a Big Mac, but I'm not about to make a 50 mile round trip to get one................;^(

[Lady Lauri]

  Who's Amy Winehouse?????
  Sorry in advance if thats a really 'duh' question :}

                                                                   LL

[GoofyDad]

As long as there's not much discomfort walking and climbing stairs, you're pobably doing OK....

[dperry10]

If you think about it, and you like rare meat.  It takes alot longer for red meat to digest, and if you eat it rare, by the time it does digest, it has already rotted in your guts.       I love red meat don't get me wrong.   But don't eat it much since just before starting tx.  Mostly white meat.....  If I eat meat at all.    Its been 3 weeks since off tx, and starting to want to eat more.   Craving salty things for past week or so.   I have not gained any of the weight back yet.. thank goodness, so just watching portions and when I eat.. try not skip dinner if I can eat enough during day..     But have been drinking a few cokes here and there and that has to stop.. I made it a year without drinking them..   Now I want that and salty.. go figure...

[Ginger12521]

Have to confess...I had a filet mignon for dinner the other night. I felt like such a sinner....lol It was VERY tasty. Felt like barking afterwards tho....LOL

Truly, another good reminder.
Thanks!

[susan400]

Ha-Ha, wouldn't mind one myself.  Maybe I'll buy one and eat it on Christmas Day!  Do you grill yours, or pan-fry it?  Any particular sauces?

Susan

[scratchinghead]

Oh help me god. I just ate a buffalo meatloaf and mashed potatoe dinner here at the end of the ski camp I am attending. burp

[Forseegood]

what on God's green earth is a buffalo meatloaf? or should I even ask? hope you're sleeping by yourself tonight...or your cabin is not airtight, either one...

[Lady Lauri]

  Okay, figured out who the h*ll Amy Winehouse is! She's what, 23? And all screwed up. I'm old here :}, I can't keep up with all these young new people! I thought you meant someone who was a 'whiner' here, LOL. Cut me a break, now! On tx, we're allowed more 'duh' moments while ON tx, right :} ??
She does or does not have Hep? All I saw was 'iffy' news articles on hep/HIV with her.
(not that anyone answered my duh question...pout, pout. I mean it was as important as buffalo meatloaf !!! (LMAO, kidding!)
And OMIGOD....buffalo meatloaf?? I have a hard time with ground beef in a neat package!

                                                             LL

[scratchinghead]

Like I said, "oh help me god". I just walked into the cafe, used the computer to print out my boarding pass, started reading the menu, and there it was. Sometimes when I am really hungry my neurotransmitters change places.\

[IAmTheWalrus]

Been away and missed the hilarious repartee in this thread. Jim, you absolutely slay me as in LMAO about your fries comment and the PF riff. Here's one:

"Lisa, without all the animals we wouldn't have good food like pork, ham and bacon"

"But dad, all of those come from the same animal."

"Yea, right Lisa, a magic mythologic animal ....uummmmm!"

I have been making efforts at a better diet. Breakfast used to be (before TP) a Hostess Berry Pie and a 32 oz. Dr. Pepper from the gas station on the way to work. Now my kids say I am driving them nuts with my constant complaints that it is so hard to find tea drinks that are green tea, and without loads of sugar or artificial sweeteners! Not to mention finding good trail mix (lots of raisins and some raw ginger for a kick). They refer to me as "gay Dad" - no offense intended to absolutely anyone.

Anyway, since starting Tx, I am giving in to a lot of high protein and quite a bit of fat in my diet. My excuse is that there is evidence that Ribavirin absorbtion is enhanced when taken with a "high fat content meal" (from the mfgr literature). I'm enjoying it a little too much perhaps, but it's hard to turn down one of the pleasures that are still available.

They can have my red meat when they pry it from my cold dead arteries!

Love this forum!

[IAmTheWalrus]

I confess I don't know who Amy Winehouse is either, or I would have answered you. I can quote lyrics from just about any Dylan song, though I must confess I have no idea what they mean. Actually, when Bob sings them now, I can't say I even recognize any actual words!

Whoaoohoohhho, the times they're a changin'

[Ginger12521]

hi...Nope, I didn't cook it.  I was dining out and took the plunge. Even ordered it done Medium!  Red wine peppercorn glazed goodness.....gosh, could I be turning into a carnivore?....yikes!...lol

I like to sautee when I'm cooking stuff like this at home. I love a good Shiitake mushroom sauce with my steak...on the RARE occasion I do splurge....maybe twice a year? :^p

[Trish77]

Red wine peppercorn.....yummmmmm.......have asked for a peppermill for Christmas from my kids...shiitake mushroom sauce.......you're making me hungry.....have shiitake mushrooms in my fridge...must google for recipe.....must .. buy....steak.... argh!!!!!

[R Glass]

We have a seasoning here called Tony Chachere’s Creole Season. Most major food stores carry it. I season my steaks with Tony’s and throw them on the grill. When the are about medium rare, I spread a little Butter on them which causes the flames to “Kiss The Steaks.” It may not be good for me but it sure beats the hell out of a salad.

[Forseegood]

I'm just here to protest you eating big hunks of red meat...all of you...oh wait, I'm still on my HIGH DEFENSIVE ALERT MODE...let me switch gears here...lol....thank God for these silly threads huh? Sometimes over on that other side, I think, someone tell a joke for crissakes!!! he he he....

[R Glass]

I like Chris Rock’s view on the issue. “It is not Red Meat that will Kill You. It is the Green Meat that will Kill you and if you are lucky enough to live in a country that you can get you hands on a steak, Bite the Sh2t out of it.”