Red meat linked to cancer?

segovm

Haha. Evil. But funny. I already know how to spot those. Point still stands though. You can't have everything safe as houses (and let's not even get into volatile organic compounds and indoor mold) but people really do need to pay attention to reputable studies on these issues, and at some point (sooner rather than later I hope) it's time to do something about it. Because the companies sure won't. They can't. They're all about profit. By law.

That's why I'm an anti-capitalist revolutionary.

I think as long as we set people on a mad drive to collect little green pieces of paper and promise them sex and luxury in exchange for their efforts they will always be willing to make some pretty selfish decisions about what they are willing to do to get more of them.

Sadly, the idea of money is pretty well entrenched in modern society and as of yet no one has been willing to accept my hugs in exchange for food and shelter... except my wife, but she also makes me take out the garbage.

Serah87

Breathing causes cancer. JS

Meerataila

Haha. Evil. But funny. I already know how to spot those. Point still stands though. You can't have everything safe as houses (and let's not even get into volatile organic compounds and indoor mold) but people really do need to pay attention to reputable studies on these issues, and at some point (sooner rather than later I hope) it's time to do something about it. Because the companies sure won't. They can't. They're all about profit. By law.

That's why I'm an anti-capitalist revolutionary.

I think as long as we set people on a mad drive to collect little green pieces of paper and promise them sex and luxury in exchange for their efforts they will always be willing to make some pretty selfish decisions about what they are willing to do to get more of them.

Sadly, the idea of money is pretty well entrenched in modern society and as of yet no one has been willing to accept my hugs in exchange for food and shelter... except my wife, but she also makes me take out the garbage.

:laugh: So you noticed humans are basically short-sighted, greedy, nasty little creatures, too, huh? Gotta try not to hate ourselves anyway. Because our closest relatives are still in the poo flinging stages.

But you got a better deal than me so far. Even with taking out the garbage.

csuhar

The people who eat red meat are less physically active

Really? I didn't realize that eating meat suddenly shackled me to my sofa.... I mean, I have ground beef as part of my breakfast almost every day and occasionally have small steaks for dinner and I'm still knocking out hour-long workouts on top of walking around the office and taking my dog for daily walks around the neighborhood.

...and more likely to smoke.

Until that t-bone or hamburger is putting the cigarette in your mouth, you can't blame red meat for this.


That's not to say red meat cannot be consumed in a manner or amount that could be harmful, but we've got to look at the whole "correlation does not imply causation" issue.

Just because someone eats red meat and is physically inactive doesn't mean the meat's stopping them from going to the gym.
Eating red meat and having a high BMI doesn't mean the meat is the only reason for the BMI.
Eating red meat and smoking doesn't mean you get a pack of Camels with your ground beef.

It is, however, possible that individuals who do not take care of their bodies in the form of being inactive, having a high BMI, and consuming tobacco products could ALSO be in the group consuming red meat in a manner that is potentially harmful. But it's their approach to life that causes the harm more than simply the consumption of red meat.

ksy1969

Which reminds me. When Americans collectively get fed up enough to get our collective heads out of our collective butts, the first demand should be independent researchers doing independent studies on food and drug safety issues. And an end to the paid studies and the self policing all around.

Umm, silly question, if they aren't paid studies, who is going to do them? Independent researchers are not going to do them for free. People work to earn a wage not because they are bored and want something to do. Oh, I suppose the government could pay for it? Well not so sure that is the best idea either since supposedly industry owns our government as well. Big bad scary industry, I want to go hide under my bed. They give us jobs and put food on our tables. They help us earn money to buy houses, cars, food, vacations etc.....

I do not understand this criticism of studies because they are paid for by an industry that the study effect in a negative way. If they hire a 3rd party to do the study what is the difference. Now if it is the company itself doing the study then I can see there could be an issue but most of these are 3rd party studies that industry funds. Do you really think they stand over the author of the study and say, "umm, you cannot write that, I paid for this. Please disregard your findings and use this verbage"? Probably not.

I am more worried about the scientists involved with these studies that come with a biased opinions based on emotion.

PaleoPath4Lyfe

If I remember this study correctly, the numbers looked scary the way they stated them, but when broken down, the risk, if it is causation and not correlation, was a tiny fraction of a percent higher than for a non meat eater.

But then again, now that some farmers can't afford corn and are feeding their cows chocolate sprinkles and cookies, who knows what will happen?

If nothing else, wouldn't surprise me to see them breed some extra-super strain of e coli from that.

Corn is not part of a cows natural diet either...................grasses are what nature intended for cows to eat.

I know, and I've been reading that this may be increasing e coli. But I admit, I didn't go digging into that theory for peer reviewed studies or anything.

Yes, e-coli contamination and lets not get into the CAFO's and factory farming and the increases that causes with the cows being practically forced to stand on top of one another.

Mad cow disease is linked to the CAFO's also.

Which reminds me. When Americans collectively get fed up enough to get our collective heads out of our collective butts, the first demand should be independent researchers doing independent studies on food and drug safety issues. And an end to the paid studies and the self policing all around.

That is the problem. Americans don't really care. All they want is cheap, fake food to eat because it is heat and eat.

The masses are just sheep that buy into what the FDA and USDA have to say. They don't mind being controlled by the food manufacturers, Dow, Cargill, ADM and Monsanto.

Control the food supply and you control the people; that is what is happening in this country.

bcattoes

There are many studies showing a correlation between cancer and red meat, but none confirming causation. But, there is enough correlation for concern IMO, so I don't eat red meat as often as I eat fish or poultry. But I do eat it. I limit beef and dairy most but that more of a taste preference. I much prefer venison or pork to beef and have never liked milk or cream much.

Two recent studies that particularly interest me are one where scientists think they have found a genetic link between processed meats and colon cancer. And another where scientists think they mave found a link between the iron in red meat and heart disease.

cwolfman13

Pretty much being alive is linked to cancer...

I eat red meat, I eat poultry, I eat fish (like 3x weekly), and I eat pork...I also eat tons of veggies and 2-3 servings of fruit per day and in general just try to make pretty good dietary decisions and rock my fitness...from there, I just let things fall where they may. I'd rather just live life to it's fullest...we're all going to die eventually.

tennisdude2004

I'd rather live a short life with cancer than a long one without steak.

seriously.

life without steak isn't worth living.

Amen to that!!

gabrielleelliott90

Yeah as someone else said, everything causes it. Even shampoo apparently. Just eat it in moderation, you'll be right.

gabrielleelliott90

I personally don't eat steak often, It is impossible for me to eat a whole one, I end up getting this bits where I have to chew and chew and chew and eventually just swallow it whole. It's not worth it for me.

bcattoes

When it comes to cancer, how much you eat and how much you move may be bigger factors than what you eat.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/06/05/fruits-and-vegetables-may-not-prevent-cancer/

Dr. Walter Willett, a leading expert on nutrition and health at the Harvard School of Public Health, says your diet may play less of a role in cancer prevention as originally thought. “As better data have come along,” he says, “the benefits for cancer don’t look nearly as impressive.”

And fat doesn’t appear to be as bad as once thought for promoting cancer either. “There had been a strong belief that fat in our diet was the major cause of breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and other cancers as well,” Dr. Willett explains, “but what’s emerged as the data have come in is that total fat is not importantly related to any cancer.”
...
In the meantime, diet aside, being overweight increases the risk of several different types of cancer like breast, colon and prostate. And regular exercise is also very important for cancer prevention.

tennisdude2004

My rule of thumb is not to have more than one serving of red meat per day - failed today though as I have had chilli for breakfast and lunch.

JoRocka

The people who eat red meat are less physically active

...and more likely to smoke.

This is why I should read more of the thread.

Seriously. How did I miss these gems.

I guess I need to get on board the guess wagon and just sit around all day now!!! clearly not giving up my red meat for my highly active life style!

jmt08c

It is not the food that causes cancer it's what we've done to the food that results in cancer. Cows are fed diets of corn...corn which has been modified out the ying yang and dusted with pesticides then ingested by cows full of hormones we pumped them with...so do not blame red meat or any food for that matter, blame us for screwing with nature.

thavoice

I personally don't eat steak often, It is impossible for me to eat a whole one, I end up getting this bits where I have to chew and chew and chew and eventually just swallow it whole. It's not worth it for me.

Either purchase higher quality of steaks or get better dentures.

thavoice

I'd rather live a short life with cancer than a long one without steak.

seriously.

life without steak isn't worth living.

I concur.

I make it a point to have one a week, either on the grilll or over the fire.

NCDJ2013

As usual blame is placed in the wrong place, It's not the meat; it's how the animal was raised. Just stay away from factory farmed meat. Know the source of your food.

Meerataila

Which reminds me. When Americans collectively get fed up enough to get our collective heads out of our collective butts, the first demand should be independent researchers doing independent studies on food and drug safety issues. And an end to the paid studies and the self policing all around.

Umm, silly question, if they aren't paid studies, who is going to do them? Independent researchers are not going to do them for free. People work to earn a wage not because they are bored and want something to do. Oh, I suppose the government could pay for it? Well not so sure that is the best idea either since supposedly industry owns our government as well. Big bad scary industry, I want to go hide under my bed. They give us jobs and put food on our tables. They help us earn money to buy houses, cars, food, vacations etc.....

I do not understand this criticism of studies because they are paid for by an industry that the study effect in a negative way. If they hire a 3rd party to do the study what is the difference. Now if it is the company itself doing the study then I can see there could be an issue but most of these are 3rd party studies that industry funds. Do you really think they stand over the author of the study and say, "umm, you cannot write that, I paid for this. Please disregard your findings and use this verbage"? Probably not.

I am more worried about the scientists involved with these studies that come with a biased opinions based on emotion.

We're going to pay for it. Our tax dollars already pay for all kinds of useful research, the beneficial results of which often get turned over to corporations for them to profit off of. Like the internet. Something we should put an immediate stop to in order to fund public research in the public interest.

athensguy

Correlation may not prove causation, but it can mean there is a need for further study to find evidence for or against causation.

Anyway, I usually avoid red meat for microbiome reasons, though that could be related to cancer, too.