Is Eating Red Meat Really Clogging Your Arteries?

by Manny Aragon

Earlier this month an article outlining a new “study” on the health dangers of eating meat caught my eye. According to the study, meat eating, specifically eating red meat, caused a rise in the gut metabolite TMA which then is converted by the liver to a metabolite called TMAO. Supposedly TMAO is a driver of arterial plaque build up, however fish, which contain high amounts of TMA apparently don’t cause the same issue. (problem #1).

TMA is not in the meat. What is in the meat is carnitine (which has also been shown in other studies to be extremely cardio friendly and is supplemented in post myocardial infarction patients…<problem #2> but I digress). Anyhow, the carnitine is converted by certain gut bacteria into TMA. But there is a twist.

Since most of these studies were done in mice- and the human experimental group was composed of 6 people – not the most robust model.

Experimentally, it was determined that the gut bacteria were converting the carnitine to TMA by first measuring TMAO (that’s what TMA gets turned into in the liver) levels in the blood just after eating a steak. After these levels were measured in the group, they were all dosed with antibiotics to kill all of their gut bacteria. In this compromised state, the group was again fed steak and post feast measurements of blood TMAO were measured and found to be minimal (this part of the study is actually actionable in a healthy way).

The first thought that came to my mind when I heard about this study was: “ hmm, I wonder what role gut bacterial balance plays into this movie…” So, I looked into a bit and found that TMA production is associated with higher levels of the gut bacteria Prevotella ( fed by eating a higher carbohydrate diet) and lower in individuals who had a higher level of  Bacteroides  (fed by animal fat).

Now, Im not against eating carbohydrates- the right types (vegetables, fruits) are very good for you in balancing out your diet- but what I found interesting was that the researchers jumped to the marketable conclusion that meat causes arterial plaque buildup and not that people who experienced higher TMAO in their bloodstream after eating steak (whether or not TMAO actually causes plaque build up- but I wont go there today) had a gut bacterial imbalance.

Now the scary part- the results of this study were used to justify the creation of a new antibiotic that everyone could take regularly to get rid of their gut bacteria (and therefore their TMAO from eating steak). That’s right- in their infinite brilliance (and business acumen for the drug makers)- they want to destroy the very system that actually helps you digest and assimilate nutrients INTO your body and, when in balance, keeps bad things OUT of your body.

How about dealing with the real problem here- gut bacterial imbalance? Of course, you know that is what I am going to propose to you- eating a more balanced diet AND fixing your bacterial balance so you can actually STRENGTHEN your body- something that the “researchers” didn’t even think of.

Here’s what I do to do just that: My diet consists of lots of pasture raised animal protein, organic veggies, and fruit- AND ingestion each meal of a pre/probiotic supplement to help balance out my gut flora. Over time this has resolved many minor skin problems like athlete foot and dandruff that came from me eating too much sugar, dairy, and grains. Now I don’t and all of that stuff is gone. Oh and my blood cholesterol levels are in the normal range.

One of the best ways to kick start the process of rebuilding your gut (bacteria) is with my 21 Day Purification Program or with my 12 week Metabolic Makeover. I do these at least annually  and my health has improved with each year I continue. Call the front office at (949) 954-6225 to schedule an initial assessment.