World Health Organization says processed meats cause cancer

[Ty1on]

(There is another ENTITY in the universe "who" has plans for us.)

Leave Quentin Tarantino out of this!

 

[John Cummings]

To quote a Twitter comment about this:

Sure, red meat is a major cancer risk, but where else are you going to find a protein source that expensive and environmentally catastrophic?

I don't eat red meat because it is a protein source. I eat it because I like it. To me there isn't anything quite as tasty as a good quality bone-in Rib Eye steak. The fact that it is a good source of protein is secondary.

 

[x3 skier]

"The experts concluded that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%."

http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2015/pdfs/pr240_E.pdf

I suppose I could read that statement to say that if I ate that meat for 6 days in a row, I would have a 100% chance of getting colorectal cancer.

Obviously impossible but still, increasing a risk from 5% to 6% of developing an easily detected and very effectively treatable cancer in its early stages is not something I am concerned about. The risk reward trade off for me is definitely in favor of eating red meat in moderation. YMMV

Cheers

 

[Ty1on]

I am just thankful that humans are vegetarian by nature ( - Smiley added in accordance with Poe's Law). We could not have survived for generations beyond count if we regularly ate that unhealthy and environmentally catastrophic meat. Vegans do realize that organized farming strips the soil of its nutrients and deprives the land of the natural windbreaks that prevent many problems (See: Dust Bowl), don't they?

 

[JudyS]

I am just thankful that humans are vegetarian by nature ( - Smiley added in accordance with Poe's Law). We could not have survived for generations beyond count if we regularly ate that unhealthy and environmentally catastrophic meat. Vegans do realize that organized farming strips the soil of its nutrients and deprives the land of the natural windbreaks that prevent many problems (See: Dust Bowl), don't they?

Until recently, most humans probably couldn't afford much meat. And, humans certain did evolve eating a mostly plant-based diet. Humans are primates and primates generally eat little or no meat. Now, if humans had evolved from cats, it would be a different story.

As for vegans being responsible for the dust bowl, it actually takes a lot more "organized farming" to feed a typical meat-eater than to feed a vegan. Most meat-producing animals in the US are fed large amounts of grain and/or soybeans. It is way more efficient to just eat the grains and soybeans yourself than it is to feed the grains and soybeans to an animal, and then eat the animal.

And no, I am not a vegan. (I did try being a vegan for three months, thinking it would help my health problems, but if anything, it made my health problems worse. That is probably because I am diabetic and vegan foods tend to be mostly carbs. I am a lacto-ovovegetarian, though.)

 

[JudyS]

I really don't understand why this study is getting so much attention. It's been known for decades that eating processed meats raises the risk of colon cancer.

...I'm convinced senility / dementia / Alzheimer's and other brain will be a big risk in the statin generations senior years.

Now, the possibility that statins can cause dementia worries me a lot. My husband had a heart attack at age 39, despite having very good cholesterol levels (total cholesterol of 119.) After the heart attack, he started taking statins and has been on them for many years now. The goal of the statins isn't to lower his cholesterol, it's to stabilize the plaques in his arteries so that they are less likely to rupture and cause a clot to form. There is good evidence that statins can do this.

However, I worry that his cholesterol is now so low that it's raising his risk of neurological problems. He seems forgetful to me, even though he is only 57.

 

[VegasBella]

Again, this wasn't "a study"

This was a meta analysis of 80 studies. Eighty studies.

 

[VegasBella]

Until recently, most humans probably couldn't afford much meat. And, humans certain did evolve eating a mostly plant-based diet. Humans are primates and primates generally eat little or no meat. Now, if humans had evolved from cats, it would be a different story.



As for vegans being responsible for the dust bowl, it actually takes a lot more "organized farming" to feed a typical meat-eater than to feed a vegan. Most meat-producing animals in the US are fed large amounts of grain and/or soybeans. It is way more efficient to just eat the grains and soybeans yourself than it is to feed the grains and soybeans to an animal, and then eat the animal.

Exactly. Trophic levels, baby.

Eating animals (unless they're insects) is not environmentally sustainable. It's the least efficient protein source available.

 

[heathpack]

LOL! Don't count on it. Did you read a couple of months back about that guy from Massachusettes who, at 66, tried to fulfill his goal of riding his bike all the way to Florida? Saw his pic. Looked very fit and very into biking.

He made it as far as Georgia. They found him dead in his tent.

No matter how healthy you eat or how much exercise you do- and these are good things for sure- it doesn't matter in the long run. When it's your time it's your time.

I am happy to report that I did not drop dead on the Monday night ride. Had a great time in fact.

Then Tuesday morning, I rode my other bike in the dark & cold and maxed out my HR for 10 minutes continuously and then did that twice more. And I did not drop dead (although my toes got quite cold).

Today I rode my bike up a hill for an hour and then back down. There were crosswinds and I had some aerodynamic wheels on the bike, got blown about in the winds. Still I did not die (although I worried a little bit about it, didn't want to get blown into a truck.)

Tomorrow morning, I'm going to get up before dawn and ride my bike again. If I die, so be it. At least I'll die happy.

PS We had hot dogs for dinner. (Seriously all this processed meat is a bit of an aberration. I swear.)

 

[VegasBella]

I am not about to exist on nothing but vegetables because that is just existing and not enjoying life.

First, please remember that vegetarians and vegans eat more than vegetables. We also eat fruits and grains, spices and herbs. Plenty of us enjoy alcohol, coffee, chocolate, fat, sugar and the like. Our motivations differ so some lean towards uber healthy and others (motivated mostly by ethics or the environment) enjoy occasional unhealthy foods like cookies and French fries and pizza and beer. If you think all there is to eat is red meat, processed meat, and overcooked unseasoned vegetables then please taste more food. Find variety.

Second, the news from the WHO simply suggests that eating red or processed meat daily is dangerous. It doesn't have to be "all or nothing" - a part-time vegetarian diet (for example, only eating small quantities of meat on weekends) would be healthier (for you and for the planet) than the average current consumption pattern. In other words, if you say "everything in moderation" actually mean it, don't just use it as an excuse to gorge on processed meat.

 

[CO skier]

Eating animals (unless they're insects) is not environmentally sustainable. It's the least efficient protein source available.

As someone else mentioned, I am more concerned about "tasty". Beef, pork, chicken, fish, crustaceans are tasty. Insects must be an acquired taste. Never tried it, but I understand coating insects with chocolate makes them more palatable.

 

[SMHarman]

I don't eat very much processed meats as there are other things that I like better though a good Black Forest Ham sandwich is pretty darn good. However I love my steak and prime rib. To me there is nothing better than a good quality bone-in Rib Eye steak. I am not about to exist on nothing but vegetables because that is just existing and not enjoying life. As far as bacon goes, I don't eat much of it as I far prefer a good ham steak for breakfast.

Nothing in the advice says become a vegetarian. Reduce not remove meat consumption.

 

[SMHarman]

As someone else mentioned, I am more concerned about "tasty". Beef, pork, chicken, fish, crustaceans are tasty. Insects must be an acquired taste. Never tried it, but I understand coating insects with chocolate makes them more palatable.

Tasty does not mean they need to be 32oz portions (not saying you eat those, many do)

Adding chicken or beef or fish broth adds taste without heaps of meat protein.

Also the article talked to red meat, not crustaceans.

 

[VegasBella]

Again, this wasn't "a study"

This was a meta analysis of 80 studies. Eighty studies.

Whoops. I misread.

It was actually 800 studies.