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Thoughts on Bacon, Processed Meats from a Gastroenterologist

Dec 25, 2021
Thoughts on Bacon, Processed Meats from a Gastroenterologist
I grew up in the 1970s and 1980s without any meat, fish, or poultry. My parents made that decision for us. I started eating fish in college and now I consume fish, maybe once a week, but most of my protein is plant-based and supplemented with tofu,...

dr dooreck

Thoughts on Bacon, Processed Meats from a Gastroenterologist

I grew up in the 1970s and 1980s without any meat, fish, or poultry. My parents made that decision for us.

I started eating fish in college and now I consume fish, maybe once a week, but most of my protein is plant-based and supplemented with tofu, eggs, and tempeh.

I know this sounds extreme especially if you are eating meat often. But maybe I can change your mind.

Why is this topic in the news?

CNN and other leading media outlets recently shared scientific research that concluded: "eating even a moderate amount of red or processed meat is linked with an increased risk of colorectal (colon or bowel) cancer."

According to the study, "people who ate 76 grams of red and processed meat per day -- that's in line with current guidelines and roughly the same as a quarter-pound beef burger -- had a 20% higher chance of developing colorectal cancer compared to others, who ate about 21 grams a day, the equivalent to one slice of ham, according to the research."

"Eating even a moderate amount of red or processed meat is linked with an increased risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer."

The study also concluded that processed meats such as sausage and bacon posed a bigger risk than red meat, with the risk of colorectal cancer rising 20% with every 25 grams of processed meat (roughly equivalent to a thin slice of bacon) people ate per day, and by 19% with every 50 grams of red meat (a thick slice of roast beef or the edible bit of a lamb chop).

The research found that another factor increasing the risk of colorectal cancer is alcohol.

On the upside, fiber from bread and breakfast cereal was linked with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.

Here's a video "Report Links Processed and Red Meats to Cancer" from ABC News

The World Health Organization

The World Health Organization concluded in 2015 that there is enough evidence to classify processed meat as "carcinogenic [causes cancer] to humans."

The WHO has classified red meat as "probably carcinogenic [causes cancer] to humans."

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer gets its name from the parts of the body it affects—the colon (large intestine or bowel) and the rectum. Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon and/or the rectum. Colon cancer or rectal cancer are used depending on whether cancer starts in the colon or rectum.

According to the American Cancer Society, in the United States, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, excluding skin cancers, and around 51,020 deaths are expected to occur due to colorectal cancer in 2019.

Red processed meat beware! Can cost you your life!

Thoughts on Bacon, Processed Meats from a Gastroenterologist

“In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women"

This common cancer is preventable with screening (such as a colonoscopy).

"It's expected to cause about 52,980 deaths during 2021"

According to the American Cancer Association, new cancer cases are arising. The estimated number of CRC cases in the US in 2020 was projected using a spatiotemporal model based on incidence data from 50 states and the District of Columbia for the years 2002 to 2016.

The America Cancer Association reported a mortality rate of Colorectal Cancer to be 20 %,30% per 1000,000 from (2013-2017) in the United States. Cases are expected to rise through time.

The CNN article suggested "reducing red and processed meat by trying meat-free Mondays (#meatfreemondays), or recipes that use fresh chicken and fish." Not a bad idea to start.

Tips en Español

Tips en Español

Porque las noticias?

CNN y otras compartieron and un estudio cientifico concluyo " Aunque comamos carne roja moderadamente o carne prosesada aumenta el riesgo de cancer colonrectal.

  • Personas que comen 76 gramos de la roja carne procesada por dia tienen el 20% posibilidades de causar cancer colonrectal de acuerdo al estudio.

"Consumir carne en moderacion de carne roja procesada aumenta el riesgo de cancer colonrectal."

  • El estudio concluyo que tocino y salchicha aumenta el riesgo de cancer colonrectal mas que las carnes rojas.

  • Un riesgo de cancer 20% en cada 25 gramos de carne procesada

La organizacion mundial de la salud concluyo que en el 2015 habia suficiente evidencia que la carne roja procesada cuasa cancer hacia los humanos.

Cancer colorectal

  • El cancer colonrectal afecta el colon y el intestino grueso y el recto.

  • De acuerdo ala Sociedad Americana De Cancer en los Estados Unidos cancer colonrectal es el tercer mas comun cancer despues del cancer de piel , un approximado de 51,020 muertes estaban pronosticadas en el 2019.

La Associon De Cancer Americana reporto una mortalida de cancer colonrectal approximadamente de 20%,30% por 1000,000 cada persona en los Etados Unidos en el 2013-2017. Estos casos estan estimados a amuentar en el futuro.

Summary

There is no magic formula for long-term, sustainable weight loss.

Balance. Portion control. Keep nutrition simple. Eat Smart. Eat Healthy.