Red Meat’s Fat and Cholesterol Aren’t Its Only Heart Dangers

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) The fat and cholesterol found in a steak may not be the only components bad for the heart, according to researchers who have found another substance in red meat that can clog the arteries.

The substance is called carnitine, and as bacteria in the gut breaks it down, it turns into compound known to harden arteries, according to a study published today in Nature Medicine. What’s more, people who eat a lot of meat allow more of the bacteria that convert carnitine to the harmful compound to grow, increasing its effect.

Previous research has shown that high levels of meat-eating are linked to cardiovascular risk, due in part to the saturated fats and cholesterol in meat. However, the higher levels of these ingredients aren’t enough to explain the difference in heart disease between meat eaters and vegans or vegetarians. Today’s study, which takes into account the differences in the stomach’s inhabitants, may begin to explain the difference.

“The bacteria living in our digestive tracts are dictated by our long-term dietary patterns,” said study author Stanley Hazen, the section head of Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation at Cleveland Clinic, in a statement. “A diet high in carnitine actually shifts our gut microbe composition to those that like carnitine, making meat eaters even more susceptible.” ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-07/red-meat-s-fat-and-cholesterol-aren-t-its-only-heart-dangers.html

[KT2000]

1. here's another curiosity

people who have been over-exposed to toxic chemicals and suffer permanent sensitivity to chemicals also show high cholesterol even when they are thin vegetarians. No one will ever study that though.

[HockeyMom]

2. I only cook red meat once or twice a week

Not a big fan of it but my husband likes it. I could happily eat only veggies and seafood. My husband has clogged arteries and may need by pass surgery. He is 250 lbs. and I am 100 lbs. We eat the same dinners. So why the difference in the two of us in the same household? Genes?

[Auntie Bush]

3. You may eat the same food, but I'll bet he eats more than 2-3 times as much. nt