Red Meat And Cancer
Here's A Good Reason To Make Cutting Back On Red Meat One Of Your New Year's Resolutions
Why Is This Important?Because red meat has long been linked to cancer, but, until now, the reason was unknown.
Researchers have discovered how red meat causes cancer.
Long Story Short
New research from scientists at the University of California appears to have cracked the mystery of the link between red meat and cancer.
The Telegraph reports that the scientists were able to determine that red meat like pork, beef and lamb contain a sugar called Neu5Gc which is "naturally produced by other carnivores but not humans."
The scientists came to this conclusion using mice that were genetically engineered to not produce Neu5Gc. When fed the sugar, the mice naturally developed tumours.
"This work may also help explain potential connections of red meat consumption to other diseases exacerbated by chronic inflammation, such as atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes," said Dr Ajit Varki, Professor of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of California.
Varki explained that moderate amounts of red meat "can be a source of good nutrition for young people."
The Telegraph reports that "health experts recommend eating no more than 70g a day, the equivalent of three slices of ham, one lamb chop or two slices of roast beef a day."
Many health organisations suggest that the portion of protein-dense foods at any given meal should be about the size of your palm.
This is the first time scientists have been able to mimic the relationship between red meat and cancer found in humans, in mice.
"The final proof in humans will be much harder to come by," said Varki.
The research was published online in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Ask The Big Question: What's the best way to get a healthy intake of red meats without overdoing it?
Own The Conversation
Disrupt Your Feed: Even if Ron Swanson is your personal hero, you owe it to yourself to cut back on the red meat.
Drop This Fact: Studies have shown that vegetarians have lower rates of cancer.