By Dr. Samantha Ristimaki, BSc, ND of Balance Wellness Center

We’ve heard for a long time that red meat isn’t good for your health but a new study indicates that red meat and processed meats are linked with premature death.

Cancer and heart disease are the predominant diseases that have been linked to red meat intake.  A new study released this year in the Archives of Internal Medicine followed over half a million people between the ages of 51 to 70 over a 10 year period. 

Red meat eaters were defined as eating steak, beef, pork, bacon, cold cuts, ham, hot dogs, sausage or meats in foods such as pizza, lasagna or stews on a daily basis.  This group was concluded to have died prematurely from all diseases, not only cancer and heart disease.

Among men who ate red meat, the risk of premature death was 31% greater while women experienced a 36% increase in premature death.

So why is too much red meat so bad?

No one has yet to pin point one answer.  Many believe that saturated fat may be the culprit.  Red meat is full of this type of bad fat which is linked to both breast and colon cancer.  Saturated fats also increase rates of rheumatoid arthritis and endometriosis.

Salts and nitrates contained in processed meats are also culprits.  Nitrates are converted to carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds (NOS’s)  in the colon. 

Don’t rush to become a vegetarian just yet…

The same study looked at people who ate predominantly white meat.  Scientists were surprised to find that it actually reduces risk of premature death.  The mechanism is unknown and definitely merits further study.

Keep a balanced diet

Before you swear off steak, keep in mind that a healthy balanced diet that contains lean, unprocessed protein is the best way to go.  If you choose red meat, lean cuts are the way to go and stay away from the deli counter.   Include lean white meat, fish and vegetarian sources of protein such as beans and nuts in your diet.  Balance is the key to longevity!