Benefits of Eating Meat

[Michelle]

Are there any? Have there been studies done?

There is so much discussion going on as to why one shouldn't eat meat, it makes me wonder if there are convincing arguments for eating it.

[Blaine Moore]

It's an easy source of protein. It tastes really good.

I eat a lot of meat, and have trouble putting weight on. Of course, I also eat a lot of vegetables and starches.

[gberardi]

Originally Posted by Michelle

Are there any? Have there been studies done?

There is so much discussion going on as to why one shouldn't eat meat, it makes me wonder if there are convincing arguments for eating it.

While reading The China Study, I wanted to see what other people had to say. I didn't want to just take its premise as gospel, especially when a lot of the book is pretty critical of a lot of scientific studies that anyone would think were valid. I thought to myself, "Well, if those studies are so faulty, wouldn't someone have something to say about your studies, too?"

In my research (which is incredibly limited as I am not exactly out to make a living out of researching science papers, so take what I say with a grain of salt. One of those huge margarita ones will do), I found that the only arguments against what was stated in The China Study is that there is no conclusive evidence that eating less meat improves your health.

That is, I couldn't find anything that even came close to claiming that eating more meat is beneficial in some way. No one said that the book is complete bunk (at least not with any kind of supporting evidence).

Apparently the author has a stake in a business which would benefit from what he claims, but I don't know how big of a deal it is. I did some research outside of the book, and I still came to the conclusion that eating meat doesn't seem to help, and eating plants does. You may come to your own conclusion with your own conclusions. Who knows? Maybe I'll be proven wrong somewhere down the line. I'm open to that possibility.

[thadroe]

Originally Posted by Michelle

Are there any? Have there been studies done?

There is so much discussion going on as to why one shouldn't eat meat, it makes me wonder if there are convincing arguments for eating it.

There have been plenty of studies done....but I haven't seen any myself that shows a convincing argument for eating meat.

Even if there were, i don't think it would be worth much as far as running out and eating more meat because when you pile all the evidence together, it's pretty clear that in general, eating plant food has positive effect on your body and eating meat and processed food has a negative effect.

This is really why you're seeing so much discussion as to why it's not good to eat meat....it's just like not seeing much discussion out there on the benefits of smoking.

Thad

[punchy]

Weston A. Price Foundation's website is a great resource for nutritional information: Weston A. Price Foundation

The Myths Of Vegetarianism

Myths And Truths About The Beef

[Hilary]

Now there's a courageous thread to start

Eating meat makes it easier to get enough iron and zinc without thinking about it. Not that it's hard as a vegetarian or even as a vegan, just that you need to think a bit, at least at first, to ensure you get some replacement sources.

It seems there could be genuine health-related arguments for eating fish, though.

[thadroe]

Originally Posted by Hilary

Now there's a courageous thread to start

It seems there could be genuine health-related arguments for eating fish, though.

I agree you could make an argument for fish. Unfortunately, most fish is so freakin polluted that it wipes out the benefit.

Wild salmon and fish very low on the food chain are probably the best choices.

Thad

[YouseffTheSheep]

Originally Posted by thadroe

This is really why you're seeing so much discussion as to why it's not good to eat meat....it's just like not seeing much discussion out there on the benefits of smoking.

Thad

I can't believe you just compared eating meat to smoking. Hundreds of millions of people have lived healthy long lives having meat in their diet. Not to mention I've never heard of a centenarian who hasn't eaten meat and is a vegetarian.

[Holistic Star]

I was strictly vegetarian (not vegan as although I didn't have milk then, I did eat eggs) for 4 years and ended up really ill with pains in my joints especially my fingers with my dad begging me to please just eat some meat or fish.

I was much better once I started to eat meat and fish again. I'm not saying a study of one person is an argument for everyone to eat meat! It might just be an argument for being much more aware of how to get all the nutrients you need if you are vegetarian.

That said, I don't eat meat for every meal (and I don't think eating meat at even most meals is healthy) In fact I'm often asked if I'm vegetarian because I eat a lot of pulses and lentils (apparently no-one eats those out of choice!).

It's very easy to get vegetarian food in the UK (even if it is often deficient in protein) but when I went to the US on holiday (illinois) I couldn't find anything without meat in it, even the beans were cooked in a ham sauce!

[escapee]

Weston A. Price Foundation seems to advocate a diet that's rich in animal protein & fat and low in carbohydrate . It sounds very similar to Atkin diet which is regarded as unhealthy by many respectable organizations.

Atkin - A nighmare diet ?

Atkin alerts

And dont forget the Japanese diet which is rich in carbohydrate ,vegetable, fruit, soy product & fish )

[Erin Pavlina]

You'll find people who have lived to be over 100 who are vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores. Nothing really conclusive there.

The way I look at it, if a bottle of window cleaner had a full day's supply of calcium in it, I still wouldn't drink it because most of it is poison. Just because meat has protein and iron doesn't mean you need meat to get your protein and iron. And so if you can get all of your nutrients without eating the poison around it, why not give it a shot?

I know meat tastes good. Thankfully there are wonderful meat substitutes that taste just as good or better. I really feel I've given up nothing by not eating meat anymore.

Now, you want to know if there are any health benefits to eating meat? I would ask the animal you're eating if he thinks so.

[Andrew Brunelle]

The only nutrient you're really without on a plant-based diet is Vitamin B 12, which you could always use a supplement for. So it's not like you really need to eat meat or dairy. Almonds are a potent source of calcium, as well as many other foods that don't have to do with sucking on an utter.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by escapee

Weston A. Price Foundation seems to advocate a diet that's rich in animal protein & fat and low in carbohydrate . It sounds very similar to Atkin diet which is regarded as unhealthy by many respectable organizations.

This study was recently released debunking the dangers of the Atkins diet (to be released in the New England Journal of Medicine).
Orlando Sentinel - Study: Heart not harmed by low-carb diet by Robyn Shelton

Although I must say, this is an interesting tidbit:

At the same time, those who ate a low-carb diet but got more of their protein and fat from vegetables rather than animal sources cut their heart disease risk by 30 percent on average, compared with those who ate more animal fats.

[thadroe]

Originally Posted by YouseffTheSheep

I can't believe you just compared eating meat to smoking. Hundreds of millions of people have lived healthy long lives having meat in their diet. Not to mention I've never heard of a centenarian who hasn't eaten meat and is a vegetarian.

Yousef, I think you may have missed my point. I was not directly comparing eating meat to smoking there...or at least I wasn't trying to. I was just using an example of why there's not much discussion out there on the health benefits of meat....and that it's because there aren't many benefits to meat.

However.....directly comparing meat to smoking is really not that far off...at least when it comes to grilled meats. The carcinogens generated during the grilling and frying of meats is similar to what is found in cigarettes. I even read about a study which concluded 1 piece of grilled meat can contain as many carcinogens as around 300 cigarettes. You can do a search on heterocyclic amines if you want to read more about it.

Thad

[Jehosephat]

As in grilled over an open flame of some kind? I'm not sure I understand where the carcinogens would come from in frying meat.

[Wreck]

Originally Posted by Jehosephat

As in grilled over an open flame of some kind? I'm not sure I understand where the carcinogens would come from in frying meat.

Fats become carcinogenic when too much heat is applied. Not only does this go for the fat in meat, but also for the healthy fats like canola oil.

[thadroe]

Originally Posted by Jehosephat

As in grilled over an open flame of some kind? I'm not sure I understand where the carcinogens would come from in frying meat.

It's caused by the high temperature used in those cooking methods. I grabbed this article from a google search real quick that explains it a little better than I can.

Barbecue Meat Chemicals:Grilling and Cancer, The World Health Network - Anti-Aging and Longevity

Thad

[gberardi]

Originally Posted by Andrew Brunelle

The only nutrient you're really without on a plant-based diet is Vitamin B 12, which you could always use a supplement for. So it's not like you really need to eat meat or dairy.

Actually, as described in another thread, B-12 isn't even found in animals. The only reason why meat would have any is because the animal was fed B-12 fortified foods. So you are either going to get it directly from fortified plants, or indirectly from animals that ate fortified plants. Or a supplement, of course.

And the only reason why the food has to be fortified is because of a relatively new problem with getting B-12 naturally. And as I understand it, this problem is due to the fact that a lot of food has to be raised to feed the animals in order to feed the humans.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Michelle

Are there any? Have there been studies done?

There is so much discussion going on as to why one shouldn't eat meat, it makes me wonder if there are convincing arguments for eating it.

Michelle, as far as I can see there are no benefits of eating meat.

The human body expends a huge amount of energy trying to digest it. Quite simply when you look at the digestive systems of a broad range of animals from carnivore, omnivore and herbivore: The human system is more aligned to the herbivore system. Our dental setup is also similar where they have primarily evolved for grinding not ripping.

Remember also that much of the meat that humans eat is processed meat .ie that is junk

The unprocessed meat is also liable to be riddled with antibiotics and steroids as an example as most of the chicken that is eaten is from factory farms where disease is rife and antibiotics are fed with the feed to suppress viruses. They are also fed steroids to make them grow faster onto the supermarke shelf. Cattle are fed 'supplements' which as we have seen through BSE is a sure way to cause an epidemic of unparalled magnitude.

Its just a shame though that people cant just give up meat, not for the raesons above, if not compelling, but just out of a love of life for whoever we can give it to.

[Dharma]

Originally Posted by Michelle

Are there any? Have there been studies done?

There is so much discussion going on as to why one shouldn't eat meat, it makes me wonder if there are convincing arguments for eating it.

There are a lot of beliefs about eating meat. It seems the mind is so opinionated about what the body needs, even though it exists in a totally non-physical dimension. I wonder why its opinion is even considered? The body knows what it wants and inputs that to the whole being. Maybe its sprouts today and Big Mac tomorrow -- it wants what it wants and there is no judgement.

But,the mind has it's importance to feed. It thinks it's been given the job of director (of everything) and it will tell the body unsympatetically what it can and cannot have. Because there's a polarity it believes in - right and wrong; and everything it comes across is labelled on one side or the other.

The right foods (whatever you believe is right) are persued and the wrong ones shunned, but, oh are the wrong ones tempting! One slip into the dark side and then we have to deal with... it.

It, yes, the emotional body has quite a reaction to being wrong. It shuts down and you get that dull feeling in your gut. (Who wants to feel wrong?) Not the mind... quick do something!

And back to the good side we go...

You create your reality. The food doesn't matter unless you make it matter. Then it's hell dealing with your body if it doesn't want what you're eating. (I... I... can't eat chocolate chip cookies for dinner, I should be eating a salad or a steak.) lol

And there are plenty of ideas of what happens in the body if you eat chocolate chip cookies.

[Lucas]

I can only keep it subjective....and my digestive system practically grinds to a halt when I eat meat...even small portions make me feel bloated and overful, though I can eat vegetables all day long and never feel stuffed. Add on the fact that I am making a stand against the horrible conditions the industry puts onthe animals, as well as how much stuff you wouldnt have caught me eating a year ago 9black olives and mushrooms are 2 of my new favorite foods, and I used to abhor them), and I can't see myself ever eating meat again. I am working on veganism, because thats a lifestyle change, not just a dietary change.

As for studies eating meat, meh, I would try listening to your body a little bit more than "experts". Sometimes I think some meat lovers don't do that...but if you feel good eating meat, I think you should go for it.

[escapee]

Originally Posted by Jim

Although I must say, this is an interesting tidbit:

Yeah it's an interesting tidbit that deserves further evaluation such as comparing the diet that is high in animal fat & protein with the diet that is rich in whole food plant based food ( complex carbohydrate and low animal fat <10% ) that are usually seen in traditional asian diet (eg : Japanese ) .

Atkin may present a major dietary improvement for those heavy junk food/processed food (refined carbohydrate) eater, but i really doubt you would see the "same heart disease risk" by comparing to those who eat a predominantly whole food plant based diet as recommended by the author of the China study .

[benza]

There are many factors that can influence foods quality and nourishment. This apples to meat and vegetables. One of those is the cultural factor. Different people react differently to various types of food. I believe that we are finding difficult to respond to antibiotics and steroids stuffed meat and genetically engineered vegetable.

It seems to me that the history of eating habits of some nation is also an important issue here. And I believe that the recent popularity of "fast foods" can be linked with a rise of different diseases. Along with pollution and most importantly stress. When I was younger It was easier for me to go out and have a pizza slice but there is a reason my mother got upset when I didn't ate her Manestra (a kind of Croatian vegetable and meat soup) even if she didn't know it. Thats the food of my ancestors, it's in my genes. Thats my food.

I'll be alright if I from time to time eat some different food, as long as I come back to my own.


Not related:Funny thing happened when I was writing and misspell pollution, the Firefoxes built-in dictionary suggested 2 words: pollution and solution. Strange.

[J1234]

Michelle,
If you want the real dirt, so to speak, try to find the contact information for Dr. Lindsay Allen. Read her work. Write to her with your questions. I believe that she may be the foremost expert on this subject in the US.

Really folks, you're here to grow, not to preach or shove some one else's face in the dirt.

Namaste.

[Lonewolf]

The best studies done on meat eating were on the average height of the Japanese population, before and after WWII. Before the war, the diet consisted largely of rice, vegetables and fish with low levels of fat. Post - war and red meat, milk and milk products are much more available and fashionable. The difference in height between the generations is staggering - something like one foot (I'll try and find a link to the study). This has been associated just with increased nutrition found in dairy and meat.

I think the Eskimo diet also reflects the fact that red meat can be eaten in large quantities safely. They have been living on seals, whales, fish with virtually no greens or grains for thousands of years.

[escapee]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

The best studies done on meat eating were on the average height of the Japanese population, before and after WWII. Before the war, the diet consisted largely of rice, vegetables and fish with low levels of fat. Post - war and red meat, milk and milk products are much more available and fashionable. The difference in height between the generations is staggering - something like one foot (I'll try and find a link to the study). This has been associated just with increased nutrition found in dairy and meat.

Yeah , but what about the effects on chronic disease ?

China and Japan face epidemic of heart disease

[escapee]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

I think the Eskimo diet also reflects the fact that red meat can be eaten in large quantities safely. They have been living on seals, whales, fish with virtually no greens or grains for thousands of years.

I think Eskimo diet consists of mainly fish instead of red meat . Fish as we know , is a rich source of DHA / EPA that will promote optimal health . By Combining that with lots of vegetables, fruit and 'complex' carbohydrate . You have a diet that promotes longeivity like what we see in Japan .


Ocassional meat eater (Traditional Japanese diet?) Vs Vegetarian Vs Vegan Vs general population


Excessive consumption of red meat linked to cancer

[Milo Riano]

I go on a balanced food intake rather than all meat, fish, vegetables or fruits.

[escapee]

I am always interested in facts and figures , check out the 2005 life expectancy comparison by 10 nations.

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by escapee

Yeah , but what about the effects on chronic disease ?

China and Japan face epidemic of heart disease

Well, Japan has the highest life expectancy of any nation; so I bet the level of chronic disease has declined with the improvement in diet.