Meat for Health

The media frequently report that people are cutting back on their meat consumption with the implication that eating less meat is better for our health. This misconception is often based on the idea that meat contains lots of saturated fat and has been associated with colon cancer. Neither of these things are strictly true. What meat contains a lot of is protein. The fat content varies considerably depending on the cut of meat but typically consists of more mono-unsaturated fat than saturated fat. (You can read more about why saturated fat is not to be feared here.)

The reports linking red meat to a possible rise in cancer have been severely criticised by many independent experts and I explain more about that in Stop Feeding Us Lies.

What a typical media reports fail to mention is the exceptional nutrient density of animal-sourced foods, especially red meat. A wide range of vitamins and minerals are available in significant quantities and in a bio-available form. For example, how much iron a food contains is nowhere near as important as how much of that iron can be absorbed and used. In red meat, iron exists as heme-iron, which is readily absorbed from the intestines. Plants contain an inorganic form of iron which is difficult to absorb.

A typical piece of red meat contains:

Protein There are 20 different amino acids which the body uses to create the proteins we need. The liver can make 11 of them but 9 are regarded as ‘essential’, which means they have to be present in the food we eat. Red meat contains all of these essential amino acids and is, therefore, referred to as complete protein. Edible plants do not contain complete protein because they are invariably lacking one or more essential amino acids. You have to eat a wide variety, and large quantity, of plants to obtain an adequate supply of all the amino acids. These are the percentages of protein in 100g of a selection of animal and plant foods:

Fat An adequate intake of natural fat is essential to our health. We need saturated fat for a variety of metabolic functions. Red meat does not supply ‘too much’. Oily fish, nuts and olive oil have 2 times, 9 times and 14 times the total fat, respectively, of a sirloin steak. Oily fish, nuts and olive oil contain 1.5 times, 3 times and 7 times, respectively, the saturated fat of a sirloin steak.

Vitamins Red meat provides a wide range of essential vitamins. Sometimes people do not realise how important these are to our overall health.

A	Healthy eyes, skin, teeth, bones and immunity. Cell division and growth. Protects DNA from damage
B1	Healthy metabolism, brain, nerves, heart. Boosts immunity, learning and memory
B2	Aids digestion, memory, heart, red blood cells, skin and hair; boosts mood and energy levels
B3	Helps reduce risk of heart disease, arthritis, impotency, diabetes and depression
B5	Helps reduce stress, acne; aids wound healing, skin and mental performance
B6	Aids healthy blood vessels and sleep; reduces anaemia, PMS, nausea and kidney stones
B9	Reduces birth defects, ageing, heart attacks, depression, cancer; builds muscle
B12	Essential for brain function and cardiovascular system. No B12 in plants
D	Essential for immunity, reduces risk of CVD, MS, autism. Strong teeth and bones
E	Anti-oxidant. Good for skin, scars, wrinkles, nails
K	Regulates blood clotting. Prevents calcification of arteries. Reduces osteoporosis

Minerals Red meat contains a wide variety of minerals. They have important roles in the correct function of an array of bodily functions. Listed below are some of their actions.

Calcium	Vital for bones, teeth, muscle contraction, red blood cells
Copper	Important for bones, nerves, blood vessels, immunity, collagen
Iron	Oxygen carrying, brain function, concentration
Magnesium	Muscle, nerve function. Heart rhythm, energy, blood sugar and pressure
Potassium	Blood pressure, muscle strength, water balance, anxiety
Phosphorus	Digestion, protein formation, cell repair, hormonal balance
Selenium	Immunity, fertility, thyroid, heart health, anti-oxidant
Zinc	Immunity, protects DNA, wound healing, growth and development

Meat is also a source of choline. It is not classified as a vitamin or mineral but it is an essential nutrient.

• Cell structure: It is needed to make fats that support the structural integrity of cell membranes.
• Cell messaging: It is involved in the production of compounds that act as cell messengers.
• Fat transport and metabolism: It is essential for making a substance required for removing cholesterol from your liver. Inadequate choline may result in fat and cholesterol build-up in your liver.
• DNA synthesis: Choline and other vitamins, such as B12 and folate, help with a process that’s important for DNA synthesis.
• A healthy nervous system: This nutrient is required to make acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter. It’s involved in memory, muscle movement, regulating heartbeat and other basic functions.

Omega-3 Long chain omega-3 fatty acids are usually associated with fish and fish oils but red meat contains a significant amount of these vitally important fats. The important fats are usually referred to as DPA, DHA and EPA.

• They are essential for brain function and help fight depression and anxiety
• DHA is a major structural component of the retina of the eye and is vital for vision
• They are essential for brain growth and development in infants
• They help to lower risk factors for heart disease
• They can reduce ADHD in children
• They reduce the risk of age-related mental decline and Alzheimer’s disease
• Omega-3s reduce inflammation, which is a component of many modern diseases