How Meat Is Toxic for Your Colon
Meat in its natural state is not totally harmful. The thing is, we don't often get it in its natural state, and common preparation methods for the food makes it even worse for human health. Consider the changes that cows go through before they come to us. Questionable medications, antibiotics, pesticide laden and GMO feed…all of this can be passed on to humans.
The Concern with Meat
There’s a heated debate regarding the health benefits – or lack thereof – of eating meat. On one end, grass-fed beef may contain higher amounts of omega-3s, protein, and vitamin B12; however, meat has also been implicated in colon cancer and heart disease. [1] [2] These effects are seen in greater amounts when connected to processed meats treated with nitrates as well as those meats that have been cooked at high temperatures. [3] [4] Here’s some of the issues with conventional meat:
Hormones
Hormones such as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) and recombinant bovine somatropin (rBST) are commonly given to cattle and poultry to increase meat content. [5] Steroids and antibiotics are also given to keep cows relatively free from disease, especially if they’re in confined conditions. There is also some debate that hormones in conventional livestock could be contributing to irregular growth patterns in children and even adults.
Antibiotics
Infections are rampant because cows are kept in such close proximity to one another. So, along with the hormones, cows are fed large amounts of antibiotics to fight off inevitable infections. The trouble is, these antibiotics could be contributing to the antibiotic resistance crisis that is hitting the developing world. [6] To compound the concerns with raising cows, the calves are fed the blood and other slaughterhouse wastes from slaughtered cows to provide them with protein. Really, whatever health concerns the cow may have had (worms, cancerous tumors) is recycled back into the next generation of cattle, pigs, and chickens.
Rendered Food
If all that isn't bad enough, there is food stuffs called "rendered" food, which is what people feed to their pets. It's also stuff that's fed to livestock, which means it winds up in your supermarket, then on your plate, and ultimately inside your body. Rendered food is produced from the cooking of dead and sometimes rotting animal carcasses. [7] The animals include cattle, pigs, chickens, and whatever else that inadvertently gets caught in the mix. And it includes whatever is in and on the animals already, like antibiotics, euthanasia chemicals, pesticides, and so much more.
Protecting Your Health
The best strategy to protect your health is to reduce or eliminate meat from your diet. If you must eat meat, choose varieties that are grass fed or free range, and purchase from local farmers you can trust. The argument for wild game makes a lot of sense but, because of environmental pollution, even that has its risks. [8]
References (8)
- Cymthia A. Daley, Amber Abbott, Patrick S. Doyle, Glenn A. Nader, and Stephanie Larson. A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef. Nutr J. 2010; 9: 10. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-9-10.
- Santarelli RL, Pierre F, Corpet DE. Processed meat and colorectal cancer: a review of epidemiologic and experimental evidence. Nutr Cancer. 2008;60(2):131-44. doi: 10.1080/01635580701684872.
- Dellavalle CT, Xiao Q, Yang G, et al. Dietary nitrate and nitrite intake and risk of colorectal cancer in the Shanghai Women’s Health Study. Int J Cancer. 2014 Jun 15;134(12):2917-26. doi: 10.1002/ijc.28612.
- Samaneh Ghasemian, Karamatollah Rezaei, Reza Abedini, Hashem Poorazarang, and Fatemeh Ghaziani. Investigation of different parameters on acrylamide production in the fried beef burger using Taguchi experimental design. J Food Sci Technol. 2014 Mar; 51(3): 440-448. doi: 10.1007/s13197-011-0514-x.
- Buonomo FC, Baile CA. Recombinant bovine somatropin stimulates short term increases in growth rate and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in chickens. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 1988 Jul;5(3):219-29.
- Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance: Takling drug-resistant infections globally. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance.
- Pet Food Industry. Nutro Co. scientist discusses using poultry by-products as petfood ingredients. Pet Food Industry.
- Scott Streater. Wild Meat Raises Lead Exposure. Scientific American.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
