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(as well as most popular nutrition writers) to say that plant foods has no impact on bone density. Studies that supposedly proved like carrots and spinach contain vitamin A and that beta-carotene that excessive protein consumption equals more bone loss were is just as good as vitamin A. These things are not true, even _ not done with real meat but with fractionated protein powders and though beta-carotene is an important nutritional factor for isolated amino acids.” Recent studies have also shown that humans. increased animal protein intake contributes to stronger bone den- The conversion from carotene to vitamin A in the intestines can sity in men and women.* Some recent studies on vegan and veg- only take place in the presence of bile salts. This means that fat etarian diets, however, have shown them to predispose women to must be eaten with the carotenes to stimulate bile secretion. osteoporosis. Additionally, infants and people with hypothyroidism, gall bladder problems or diabetes (altogether, a significant portion of ¢ Kidney Disease the population) either cannot make the conversion or do so very Although protein-restricted diets are helpful for people with poorly. Lastly, the body's conversion from carotene to vitamin A kidney disease, there is no proof that eating meat causes such dis- is not very efficient: it takes roughly six units of carotene to make _ease.*_ Vegetarians will also typically claim that animal protein one unit of vitamin A. What this means is that a sweet potato causes overly acidic conditions in the blood, resulting in calcium (containing about 25,000 units of beta-carotene) will only convert leaching from the bones and, hence, a greater tendency to form into about 4,000 units of vitamin A (assuming you ate it with fat, kidney stones. However, this opinion is false. are not diabetic, are not an infant, and do not have a thyroid or Theoretically, the sulphur and phosphorus in meat can form an gall bladder problem).* acid when placed in water, but this does not mean that that is what Relying on plant sources for vitamin happens in the body. Actually, meat A, then, is not a very wise idea. This contains complete proteins and vita- provides yet another reason to include min D (if the skin and fat are eaten), animal foods and fats in our diets. both of which help maintain pH bal- Butter and full-fat dairy foods, espe- All of the diseases mentioned ance in the bloodstream. Furthermore, cially rom pastured cows, aye good are primarily 20th century if one eats a diet that includes enough vitamin A sources, as is cod liver oil. magnesium and vitamin an Vitamin A is all-important in our diets, occurrences, yet people restricts refined sugars, one has little and minerals, ensures proper vision, have been eating meat one eats meat or not". Animal Toads enhances the immune system, enables and animal fat for many like beef, pork, fish and lamb are good reproduction and fights infections.” sources of magnesium and B6, as any As with vitamin D, Dr Price found that thousands of years. food/nutrient table will show. the diets of healthy primitive peoples supplied substantial amounts of vita- ¢ Heart Disease min A, again emphasising the great The belief that animal protein con- need humans have for this nutrient in tributes to heart disease is a popular maintaining optimal health now and in future generations. one that has no foundation in nutritional science. Outside of ques- tionable studies, there is little data to support the idea that meat- MYTH #5: Meat-eating causes osteoporosis, kidney eating leads to heart disease. For example: the French have one disease, heart disease, and cancer. of the highest per-capita consumptions of meat, yet have low rates Oftentimes, vegans and vegetarians will try to scare people into _of heart disease; in Greece, meat consumption is higher than aver- avoiding animal foods and fats by claiming that vegetarian diets age, but rates of heart disease are low there as well; and in Spain, offer protection from certain chronic diseases like the ones listed an increase in meat-eating (in conjunction with a reduction in above. Such claims, however, are hard to reconcile with histori- sugar and high-carbohydrate intake) was found to lead to a cal and anthropological facts. decrease in heart disease.” has no impact on bone density. Studies that supposedly proved that excessive protein consumption equals more bone loss were not done with real meat but with fractionated protein powders and isolated amino acids.” Recent studies have also shown that increased animal protein intake contributes to stronger bone den- sity in men and women.* Some recent studies on vegan and veg- etarian diets, however, have shown them to predispose women to osteoporosis. are primarily 20th century occurrences, yet people have been eating meat and animal fat for many abe Le MYTH #5: Meat-eating causes osteoporosis, kidney disease, heart disease, and cancer. Oftentimes, vegans and vegetarians will try to scare people into avoiding animal foods and fats by claiming that vegetarian diets offer protection from certain chronic diseases like the ones listed above. Such claims, however, are hard to reconcile with histori- cal and anthropological facts. All of the diseases mentioned are primarily 20th century occur- rences, yet people have been eating meat and animal fat for many thousands of years. Further, as Dr Price's research showed, there were/are several native peoples around the world (the Innuit, Masai, Swiss, etc.) whose traditional diets were/are very rich in animal products, but who nevertheless did/do not suffer from the abovementioned maladies.” Dr George Mann's independent stud- ies of the Masai, done many years after Dr Price's, confirmed the fact that the Masai, despite being almost exclusive meat-eaters, nevertheless had little to no incidence of heart disease or other chronic ailments.’ This proves that other factors besides animal foods are at work in causing these diseases. Several studies have supposedly shown that meat consumption is the cause of various illnesses, but such studies, honestly evalu- ated, show no such thing, as the following discussion shows. ¢ Cancer The belief that meat, in particular red meat, contributes to can- cer is also a popular idea that is not supported by the facts. Although it is true that some studies have shown a connection between meat-eating and some types of cancer,* it is important to look at the studies carefully to determine what kind of meat is being discussed as well as what preparation methods were used. Since we only have one word for "meat" in English, it is often dif- ficult to know which "meat" is under discussion in a study unless the authors of the study specifically say so. The study which began the "meat equals cancer" theory was done by Dr Ernst Wynder in the 1970s. Dr Wynder claimed that there is a direct, causal connection between animal fat intake and incidence of colon cancer.” Actually, his data on "animal fats" were really on vegetable fats.” In other words, the "meat equals cancer" theory is based on a phony study. If one looks closely at the research, however, one quickly sees that it is processed meats like cold cuts and sausages that are ¢ Osteoporosis Dr Herta Spencer's research on protein intake and bone loss clearly showed that protein consumption in the form of real meat 26 ¢ NEXUS APRIL — MAY 2002 All of the diseases mentioned thousands of years. WWW.NeXU smagazi ne.com