DOES EATING MEAT MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE A HERO OR A ZERO?

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) publication at the end of last year from the ongoing International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)’s findings linking Processed Meats to Colorectal Cancer definitely threw a spoke in the ‘High Protein’ #banting wheel that dominated 2015. The high protein low carb diet always makes a come back as some see positive results with weight loss .

A couple of questions arose from these studies: “What is processed meat?” and “Is red meat also associated with these cancer risks”. This was the WHO’s response :

1. Processed meat = salted, fermented (this includes salami and most sausages), cured and or any process that aims to improve the flavour or preservation of meat (yip this definitely includes our beloved biltong, bacon and even boerewors). The meat contained can be any red meats, poultry, any by-products like blood and offal.

2. The second question is simply answered - not from this specific study, as this link did not come through as strongly as the processed meat’s results. The data did however show that your risk of colorectal cancer may increase by 17% for every 100gram portion of red meat eaten daily. Whether the meat was organic or not organic was not investigated. Red meat here refers to: all mammalian muscle meat, including veal, beef, pork, lamb, horse, goat and mutton (1,2).

So the elephant in the South African room (and many other places around the world where meat eating is considered part of their culture) is “does this mean I have to stop eating MEAT!!!??!?!?!”.

If you are like my husband (a fit, young, meat loving South African male) you will simply forget that you were ever given any of this information and find a thousand examples of how good meat is for you. Even to the point where meat is being called a vegetable due to its veggie eating maker. But outside the grieving of your favourite braai meats the facts remain that this information tells us something about our bodies’ ability to process the food we put into it.

The reality is that on the processed meat side it it definitely advisable to reduce and or eliminate these products (along with many other heavily processed foods) from your regular consumption habits (1,2, 5). Whether or not you need to cut out eating red meat on the other hand is not all that conclusive yet, especially in relation to Colorectal Cancer specifically (3,4). The research does not tend to be very conclusive even when other mortality risks like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other cancers are included in studies (5). Despite this the recommendations seem to sway towards a general reduction of red meat and processed meat products even though this is more cautionary than the research itself may be revealing when it comes to red meat (5).

From a basal level the argument of many would be that our bodies need the micro and macronutrients found in red meat such as B12, Creatine, Vitamin D3, Carnosine and DHA (an Omega 3 fatty acid very important for good brain function (6). There are of course supplements, other foods and plant alternatives in the day we live in, all vegans and vegetarians reading will be well nodding their heads at this stage.

All of this info brings me to my original question: “does eating meat make you feel like a hero or a zero?”. For many, even if they don’t want to admit it (as it might have social implications around the braai), eating meat does not do great things for their digestion, comfort levels or energy levels. Why is this you might ask? Well a good place to start is observing the type of meat you are eating and the way it has been prepared. There is some research showing that overcooking meat is linked to a higher risk of developing certain cancers (7). Not to mention the source of the meat, it’s composition and your personal health and wellness.

The answer I believe (and share with many other nutritionists and wellness advisors) is that each one of us have different lifestyles, different genetic propensities / metabolic rates and therefore need a HOLISTIC, YOU CENTRED approached. Finding YOUR sweet spot (excuse the dreaded sugar reference) is my passion. So book an appointment here and lets start our journey together.

References:

1. The Word Health Organisation (October 2015 ) ‘Q&A on the carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat’ Available online: [http://www.who.int/features/qa/cancer-red-meat/en/], Accessed 19.1.16.

2. Bouvard,V., Loomis,D., Guyton, K.Z., Grosse,Y., Ghissassi, F.E., Benbrahim-Tallaa, L., Guha, N., Mattock, H., Straif, K., (2015) ‘Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat’ on behalf of the International Agency for Research on Cancer Monograph Working Group -

The Lancer Oncology, 16 (16).

3. Alexander, D.D., Cushing, C.A. (2011) ‘Red meat and colorectal cancer: a critical summary of prospective epidemiologic studies.’ Obesity Reviews, 12 (5).

4. Alexander, D.D., Weed,D.L., Cushing, C.A., Lowe, K.A. (2011) ‘Meta-analysis of prospective studies of red meat consumption and colorectal cancer.’ European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 20 (4).

5. Battaglia Richi E1, Baumer B1, Conrad B1, Darioli R1, Schmid A1, Keller U1. (2015)

‘Health Risks Associated with Meat Consumption: A Review of Epidemiological Studies.’ International Journal Vitamin Nutrition Research. 85(1-2):70-78.

6. Powers, H. & Geissler, C (2005) Eleventh Edition of Human Nutrition, Netherlands : Elsevier Ltd.

7. National Cancer Institute (October 2015) ‘Chemicals in Meat Cooked at High Temperatures and Cancer Risk’ Available at [http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/cooked-meats-fact-sheet], Accessed 19.1.16.

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