Lean red meat is not only a good source of protein and energy, but also has benefits in avoiding heart disease, however, consumption of animal fat should be reduced overall. Well, you knew that much.
Health conscious consumers are often concerned by debates about how much meat is healthy, what kind is best for them and whether to eat it at all. Follow me down the hatch!
These attitudes have developed since the 1950s, when the western world became aware of the association between coronary heart disease, the consumption of fats (particularly animal fat) and high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Red meat is an excellent source of protein and energy, but it also supplies around 30 to 35 per cent of the 100-130 grams of fat that we consume each day (that is, the red meat eaters).
Because it is energy-rich, fat from all food sources supplies about 40 per cent of our energy needs, although it only makes up 15 per cent – by weight – of the food we eat. Nutritionists believe that to avoid a number of major diseases such as diabetes, obesity, some cancers, hypertension or heart disease, we should lessen our fat consumption by approximately 25 per cent. However it is possible to lower the risk of death from heart disease, brought on by atherosclerosis over many years, by following a diet that is low in fat, or one offering a high proportion of polyunsaturated fats from plants or fish.
I have read that research at my favorite lab, CSIRO, has found that plant oils and marine (fish) oils reduce this risk.They believe that the polyunsaturated fatty acids found in these oils are instrumental in reducing arrhythmia of the heart. To some degree similar fatty acids are found in the structural fats of red meat. Work at CSIRO has also shown that lean red meat (which has had the outer fat removed) is effective in lowering cholesterol. It is not the meat, but the visible fat of meat, that is the cause of concern.
It appears possible that lean red meat could diminish the susceptibility of humans to sudden cardiac death.
Lean red meat is not only a good source of protein and energy, but also has benefits in avoiding heart disease.
Consumption of fat however, must be reduced. So do away with margarine, jars of mayonnaise, bottled salad dressings etc…but occasionally treat yourself to a good piece of lean steak. Or pork, as long as it’s lean and not full of antibiotics (always check provenance).
12 Comments
T-bone, anyone?
Tonight it is a big pig out for me. Pork chops, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a fresh veggie. I do this about once a week, then it is back to local food. That is unless I get a better offer.
I’ve prepared a red Thai chicken breast curry with jasmine rice earlier. I made it quite mild so the girls would like it (if not, chips in the oven!)
One of my favorite new sites is The Heart Scan Blog, which is hosted by a cardiologist and proposes some fairly radical things.
Now I’m not totally sold on Heart Scan Blog’s claim that entirely eliminating wheat from the diet is the cure.
And I’m not sold on that specifically because I believe there is a kind of basal continuum of similar needs between all humans but, beyond that base point, each of us is a little bit different. Some of us thrive on wheat. Some of us thrive on dairy. But both are practically poison for others of us. Some of us are programmed for diabetes on a modern diet. Some of us are pretty normal but practically impose diabetes on ourselves by living on Totino’s Pizza and french fries.
Etc. etc.
Now all that said, I’m a fan of The Heart Scan Blog because it turned me on to vitamin D-3 and specifically high doses of the natural form of vitamin D-3. Heart Scan Blog links to some pretty compelling and fairly extensive research that our current problems with heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc., are actual a consequence of vitamin D-3 deficiencies.
True, vitamin D-3 can be obtained from the sun and a few foods, notably fatty fishes from northern seas (which I find extremely interesting from an evolutionary standpoint, given the lack of sun in northern climes), but degree of skin pigmentation, angle of the sun, even your age can affect how much D-3 you can actually get from the sun.
And modern (or post-modern, at this point) people are sorely lacking in it anyway because we spend all our time indoors.
You know, I do have a point.
It goes something like this: I’m not sure we know. We have pieces of the puzzle and some things work for some of us, but are disastrous for others of us and trans-fats aren’t good for anyone, but olive oil, nuts, avocados (which Translator, they’re *not* saturated fats! I got in a panic and checked, and they’re some of the healthiest fats around!) and similar appear to be great for everyone …
::takes deep breath::
… and buffalo rump roast is lean meat with virtually no fat on it.
Gad, I better shut up and get back to watching the science show on boa constrictors.
By the way, I began taking vitamin D-3 (the natural form) in high doses a couple of months ago and yowsers! There does appear to be something to the theory. I feel great!
Biscuit,
Please tell where you got the D-3. I really NEED some. My NP practically slapped me for not taking enough D this winter.
Oh yea and, in case you hadn’t guessed, then sent me home from work early because I’m so good! Well, maybe not because I’m so good. Maybe they’re just really nice.
Go mow! You have no time to lose, one has to look after the empire!
I’m sad tonight. I lost a grapevine.
I suspect a certain hound puppy!!!!!
I love a bit of red meat now and again. I just watched “King Corn” and now have serious misgivings about using grain-fed beef, so I’m going to look for local, grass-fed meat from here on.
Anne,
Make a trip up to “The Meat Shoppe of Tacoma”. Local, grass fed, small farm, variety of meats, advertises on our Progressive Radio Station in Seattle. We’ve had rib eyes, pork tenderloin and they have the BEST beef bones for Beef Pho ever. Lovely marrow and really fresh. Let me know if you want more info. I bet you could find something like it near Portland.
Grass-fed beef and lamb are beat, a little more expensive but worth every penny!
You must be logged in to post a comment.