WHY is processed MEAT bad for you?
Recently the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that processed meats raise the risk of colon and stomach cancer.The Global Burden of Disease Project, an independent academic research organization, claims about 34,000 cancer deaths per year worldwide are attributable to diets high in processed meat. But Why? Few articles mention specific reasons whyprocessedmeat is considered bad for your body. There are several: 1) nitrates and other chemicals, 2) overcooking and 3) overeating. 1) Nitrates & Food Born Chemicals Youve probably heard that processed meat contain nitrates and nitrites which are preservatives added to processed meat to help prevent the growth of bacteria. When meat is processed it can result in formation of carcinogenic chemicals, includingN-nitroso-compounds(NOC) andPolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons(PAH). Cooking improves the digestibility and palatability of meat but overcooking can produce known or suspected carcinogens, includingHeterocyclic Amines(HCA) and PAH,1according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group. A study done with 61,433 women from Sweden compared the consumption of processed meats and unprocessed meats. They found a high correlation between the risk of stomach cancer and consumption of processed meats high in nitrosamines.2 Other chemicals that can be created (bio activated) from processing and cooking are HCA and PAH. Both are carcinogens with the ability to damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer. How? Meat naturally contains amino acids, creatine and sugars which react at high temperatures to create HCA. Processed meat, especially when grilled and smoked, create a high PAH content. Studies suggest that the increase of PAH content arises from pyrolysis of fat at high grilling temperatures.3 2) Overcooking Overcooking the meat to create a Maillard (browning) effect can create Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE). Maillard is a non-enzymatic reaction that occurs at high temperatures. AGE increases oxidative stress and inflammation within the body which contribute to the development of many diseases. High AGE consumption has been associated with pancreatic cancer, Alzheimers disease, and diabetes.4Human intervention studies revealed that low AGE diets decreased inflammatory status in individuals with diseases. 3) Overeating Too much of anything can be harmful to your body. Americans in general have a high meat consuming diet averaging 50-100g per day per person.5By comparison, the US Department of Agriculture Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of dietary protein is 46 grams for women and 56 grams for men. That is equivalent to about 5-6 ounces of a protein containing food such as nuts, eggs, beans, or meat. Eating less protein, thus eating less red meat can elongate our lives and decrease the risk of developing cancer. A meta-analysis of studies indicated that an increase of 100g of red meat increased the risk of colorectal cancer to 12-17%. The risk for colorectal cancer had a 49% increase when consuming 25g of processed meat.6Therefore, eating red meat in moderation and limiting your intake of processed meat may prevent the development of colorectal cancer. On the plus side Meat does have proven nutritional benefits such as protein, vitamin B complex and minerals (iron, zinc) all of which are important to healthy body function. Red meat in a grass fed form is clearly not as bad for you as processed meat. If you are going to eat red meat some tips to help make it safer to consume are: Recommendations When you eat meat do you have problems digesting it? The stomach secretes Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) to both digest protein and activate other digestive enzymes. If your stomach doesnt produce the right amount of enzymes then it can lead to digestive issues and certain nutrients are not able to be absorbed. Spectrazyme(by Metagenics) is a supplement that provides your body the proper amount of enzymes to help break down food.Spectrazymeis an enzyme aimed to provide digestive support. Its three active ingredients are protease, lipase, and amylase. Protease is an enzyme that breaks down protein. Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down sugars and starches. Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down fats. If you believe this product can be helpful for your digestion then you can buy it through National Candida Center at http://bit.ly/1Mu5U5K Next time you choose to eat red meat think about how you can cook it to create the least amount of chemicals and limit your intake. Processed meat is to be eaten at your own risk. Take care of your body. Its the only thing that will be with for your whole life. NATIONAL CANDIDA CENTER References
