Originally Posted by
MonsieurChrono
To the best of my knowledge there is no known mechanism by which red meat causes colon, colorectal, or rectal cancel, but if you know of a study please report it here.
Mechanisms of red meat consumption's causal link to colorectal cancer:
- Heme iron in red meat -> oxidative stress -> chronic cellular injury -> cell turnover -> malignancy
- High animal fat intake -> bile acids -> cellular injury -> malignancy
- Altered microbiome -> pro-inflammatory bacteria -> cellular injury -> malignancy
Cross et al 2010 is a well-respected large cohort study of the colorectal cancer risks from red and processed meats, with a break-out of the potential mechanisms.
7-year hazard ratios:
- red meat 1.24
- processed meat 1.16
- heme iron 1.12
- nitrate from processed meats 1.16
- heterocyclic amine intake 1.19, 1.17
NOTE: "Cohort study, eh? What about this confounding variable I just thought about?" Study was adjusted for: gender, education, BMI, smoking, intake of total energy, fiber and calcium consumption.
Originally Posted by
noglider
A cousin of mine says his health improved a year or two ago, and he lost his excess weight. I think he's younger than 40. He attributes it to what he calls a carnivore diet. I don't know the details of his diet but I think he eats some plant food but not much. I suspect his health and weigh improved because he (probably) switched from crappy food to fresh whole foods. Eating mostly meat sounds crazy but it's working for him. Maybe it won't work out for him long-term, and maybe he'll realize he needs the fiber and vitamins and minerals in plant foods, but so far, it's an improvement for him..
Most likely, your cousin found a diet gimmick that has him eating fewer calories, which has produced the body fat loss. All weight loss diets are gimmicks to get you to reduce your calorie intake. And reducing body fat will make just about anyone feel better.