Meat Linked to Colon Cancer

I've said many times that adopting more of a vegetarian diet is essential to living a long, healthy, and disease-free life.

Now I can understand that some people have a fixation with their meat and are adamant about getting their daily dose but recent research proves yet again that such dietary choices increase your risk of cancer (amongst other problems)!

Especially convincing was a review of 7,000 studies led by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research that ultimately showed a significant relationship between the consumption of processed meats and an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Specifically, every 48 grams (1.5 ounces) consumed a day elevated the risk of cancer 21%.

The 517-page study also concluded that the intake of heavy meats (beef, lamb, veal, pork, goat) boosted the risk of colorectal cancer and therefore they recommended consuming less than 500 grams (18 ounces) per week.

I personally take it one step further and recommend eating meat no more than twice a week.

Other studies have also shown that processed meats increase the risk of breast, lung, prostate, stomach, and pancreatic cancers!


How Does Meat Cause Cancer???

There are several ways in which processed meats contribute to cancer.

First, as I mention in my book Eating for Energy, meats are highly acid-forming in the body. And, an acidic internal environment is highly correlated with the development of cancer and other diseases.

Second, cooking meats to high temperatures forms heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, compounds shown to cause colon tumours in animals.

Third, processed meats (ie. deli meats) are also highly packed with sodium nitrite - a preservative added to meat to prevent botulism and give meats their red colour. The problem arises during cooking when these nitrites begin to react with other compounds in the meat to form cancer-causing nitrosamines and nitrosamides.


So What's the Bottom Line?

Well, I hope that it's pretty obvious after reading all the information above that eating meat on a daily basis doens't do your body good. In fact, it does it quite a bit of harm!

I find it sad that we're all brought up believing that meat needs to be an integral part of our diet. But as the strongest and healthiest animals and longest living people keep reminding us it's all about eating more natural plant based foods.

Vegetables, fruit, and healthy grains is where its at!

Need help moving away from meat? Get your copy of Eating for Energy today!

Your friend and coach,

Yuri