If you are a huge fan of porkchops, roast porks and meatloaves, you may want to consider cutting back a little.
It was found out that red meats and processed meats pose serious health risks causing not only the usual cancer and heart disease but from other types of life threatening diseases that are known to men as well. This is according to a joint study conducted by National Institutes of Health or NIH and seniors group AARP. The study begun in 1995 which closely monitored men and women ages 50-71 and has been studying their processed, red and white meat intake since then.
Those who consumed red meats almost everyday have died earlier than those who don’t. Aside from cancer and heart disease, causes of death included Alzheimer’s disease, lung and liver diseases and stomach ulcers—and that is just beginning the list. This, in fact, is strongly supported by U.S. National Cancer Institute.
Over a ten-year period, it was established that eating red and processed meat on a regular basis brought the overall death risks level up by 30% as compared to those who maintain a non-red meat diet.
Red meat is included in the food pyramid and it is a good source of iron and protein but too much of it can certainly kill you—earlier than you should. Regular consumption of red meat poses health risks especially in seniors due to its large amount of saturated fat. Processed meats like sausage and cold cuts are also included due to its red meat content plus the chemicals used in making the product such as nitrosamines.
It was also noted that upon cooking of red meat, some cancer-causing agents are formed, although it is not fully established how and what these agents are. Red meats are closely linked to numerous diseases like breast and colon cancer, high blood pressure, erratic cholesterol levels and heart diseases. Saturated fat doubled with the iron content found in red meat causes cancer. However, maintaining a lower meat intake lowers all these health risks, if not preventing them all together.
Further researches are now conducted by the same group regarding the clear relation of red meat and life span and how does it affect one another. They are trying to point out specific causes of these incidents thus further analysis is in order. As of now, the only established connection from the study is the estimated amount per day consumed by those who died prematurely—that is a quarter-pound daily.
Seniors are highly encouraged to keep low red meat intake or avoid it all together by going vegetarian, if your health permits it. Or, at least try not to eat them everyday. Instead of red and processed meats, white meat is so far, a kinder source of protein and can be good for weight management and overall health as well. White meats include fish and fowl and they contain lesser amount of fat and calories than your red meat. For fierce red meat lovers, choose healthier cooking methods like baking instead of frying and choose lean meats and of course, keep them in minimum.
