animal protein
Plant sources of protein are preferable, as animal protein sources been linked to negative health effects from acne (see also here) to cancer, female infertility, infant sleep apnea, autism, crib death, and premature puberty. Meat has even been linked with a shorter life span. The presence of industrial carcinogens, xenoestrogens, arsenic, steroids and external hormones in animal fat and protein may be partially to blame. Plant protein consumption has been associated with a slimmer waistline and consuming a plant-based diet and may help rheumatoid arthritis, prevent cancer, and normalize puberty age in young women. Food is a package deal. You can’t get the protein in meat without the cholesterol, for example. Similarly, the best source of vitamin B12 is from supplements rather from animal sources.
See also the related blog post: Atkins Diet and Erectile Dysfunction
Topic summary contributed by Stephanie Davidson
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Watch videos about animal protein
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Cancer, Interrupted: Garlic & FlavonoidsGarlic and flavonoid phytonutrients found in fruits, vegetables, greens, and grains appear to protect against DNA damage induced by mutagenic chemicals found in cooked meat.
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Cancer, Interrupted: Green TeaUsing the cooked meat carcinogen PhIP to turn normal breast cells cancerous, researchers explore the use of green tea to interrupt this malignant transformation.
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Heterocyclic Amines in Eggs, Cheese, and Creatine?Even vegetarians could potentially be exposed to the carcinogens typically formed by cooking meat through eggs, cheese, creatine sports supplements, and cigarette smoke.
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Reducing Cancer Risk In MeateatersThose who eat meat risk food poisoning from undercooked meat, but also exposure to cooked meat carcinogens in well-cooked meat. By boiling meat, non-vegetarians can mediate their risk of both.
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PhIP: The Three Strikes Breast CarcinogenThe cooked meat carcinogen PhIP found in fried bacon, fish, and chicken may not only trigger cancer and promote tumor growth, but also increase its metastatic potential by increasing its
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Estrogenic Cooked Meat CarcinogensDNA-damaging chemicals formed when meat is cooked stimulate breast cancer cells almost as much as pure estrogen and can infiltrate the ducts where most breast cancers arise.
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Nonhuman Molecules Lining Our ArteriesThe foreign meat molecule Neu5Gc builds up in human tumors and atherosclerotic plaques and may play an inflammatory role in the progression of both diseases.
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Clonal Deletion Theory of ImmunityPlant-based diets may be protective against multiple sclerosis because IGF-1 can prevent our immune system from eliminating autoimmune cells.
