To Your Health: Red Meat, Yes or No!

14 Oct To Your Health: Red Meat, Yes or No!

Dr. Alan Safdi, a world-renowned internist and gastroenterologist with encyclopedic knowledge of mind-body wellness and preventative medicine, posts on Telluride Inside… and Out under the banner of “To Your Health.” His blogs feature the most current information in his field: health, wellness and longevity.

This winter, Dr. Alan returns with his popular Live Longer Retreat wellness intensives, which repeat in the summer. For further information, email telluridecme@gmail.com. or go to Safdi’s Telluride Longevity Institute website.

This week, Dr. Alan steps into the deep water that is the controversy that ensued following the release of a “study” on red and processed meat. Scroll down to listen to his podcast.

And here is a comment by The New York Times on the author of that study, Bradley Johnston. Bottom line: caveat emptor.

Americans consume, on average, more than a half a pound of meat per day – more than our counterparts in any other country – and eating red meat has been linked in study after study to cancer and heart disease. But are the risks big enough to give up burgers and steak?

After examining the literature on the health outcomes of eating red and processed meats, authors of a relatively new “study” issued guidelines in the Annals of Internal Medicine, saying that we are, in general, fine to continue with our current levels of meat consumption however high.

Specifically the group:

“… assessed five systematic reviews, all simultaneously published in Annals of Internal Medicine — three of which also were meta-analyses. These three meta-analyses, which included cohort studies with at least 1,000 participants, looked at a few outcomes associated with red and/or processed meat consumption: risk of cancer, cardiometabolic, and all-cause mortality and incidence. As for the three meta-analyses included, Johnston’s group noted that a reduction in unprocessed red meat consumption pointed to a significant, but “very small reduction” in cardiovascular mortality (risk difference of 4 fewer per 1,000 persons over 10.8 years), type 2 diabetes (6 fewer per 1,000 person over 10.8 years), and cancer mortality (7 fewer per 1,000 persons over lifetime), based on low- to very-low quality evidence. “

The publishers of that study, NutriRECS, describes itself as “an independent group with clinical, nutritional and public health content expertise.” But their advice flies in the face of oft-cited research about the dangers of meat consumption and of current nutritional guidelines from the federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, advice from the World Health Organization, and numerous studies and books published over the last decade.

What’s true – and what’s not with regard to heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes with regard to farm-raised red meat and processed meat in general.

Dr. Alan tucks into the meat on red meat.

Alan Safdi, more:

Dr. Alan Safdi is board-certified in Internal Medicine and in Gastroenterology and is a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology. A proven leader in the healthcare arena, he has been featured on the national program, “Medical Crossfire” and authored or co-authored numerous medical articles and abstracts. Safdi has been involved in grant-based and clinical research for 30+ years and is passionate about disease prevention and wellness, not just fixing what has gone wrong. He is an international lecturer on the subjects of wellness, nutrition and gastroenterology.

And back by popular demand, this summer, in partnership with the Peaks’ Spa, Dr. Safdi returns with his three, week-long wellness intensives titled Live Longer Retreat.

Again, using an evidence-based, scientific approach to health and longevity and featuring an experienced staff of medical professionals, personal trainers, Pilates and yoga instructors, dietitians, and chefs, the focus is on your unique wellness profile. Each Live Longer Retreat is one-of-kind in the U.S. Those intensives, limited to only 10 – 15 participants, will include personal consultations, hiking, spinning, yoga, Pilates, talks and demonstrations related to nutrition, cooking classes, and more.

Go here to read a review of the experience by one very satisfied participant.

Feel free to sign up now to participate in a Live Longer Retreat – or call 1-877-448-5416 for further information.