According to the World Health Organization, a review of literature has prompted them to classify processed meats and over consumption of red meat as a Level 1 carcinogen. This level puts these foods in the same risk category as smoking cigarettes!
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34615621
Overall the study suggested that processed meat such as bacon, will increase the risk of colo-rectal cancer by 18% with as little as two slices of bacon a day (actually even less than that volume). But why? The study went further to explain that red meat is “likely a carcinogen” as well. And once again, the best question not being answered is, why?
The answer is inflammation. The problem with these meats, is that they are highly toxic meats that have been processed with strong nitrates and nitrites, both carcinogenic. In addition, these meats are often from animals raised in a very toxic environment, where they are treated with drugs such as antibiotics, or the ever popular arsenic laden med for feed preservation and for reduction of certain infectious conditions in poultry.
The toxic nature of these foods, leads to inflammatory responses, which create the environment necessary for cancer.
(cancers grow best in anaerobic environments, which exist when there is lower oxygen levels, which occur when capillary beds are restricting blood flow, which happens when capillary beds themselves are restricted due to inflammation)
So yes indeed, you should avoid bacon. I haven’t eaten it for 8+ years, and I am happy that I am clean, even though I would love to eat some of that tasty smelling, rotten filthy dirty animal bacon.
But what about red meat? I am the grass fed beef pushing weirdo that you probably think of as a little crazy, but here we are… one camp saying no red meat, the other saying all the red meat you want… as long as…. yep… its grass fed! Why? Once again inflammation. The grass fed beef that we are pushing does NOT create the affect that the WHO is talking about in the meats they are implicating. A grass fed burger is not cancer causing.
Just know that the burger I had tonight from Canyon’s, was an inflammatory mess… and should I eat it again tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after, I am quickly fulfilling those pre-requisites to be on the inflammatory/carcinogenic team.
So here are your basic rules then –
1. Stay away from nitrates and nitrates except for those that naturally occur in celery juice.
2. Eat only two servings a week of conventionally raised red meat.
3. Meat should go organic before any other food in your kitchen. So stay the course for clean with your meats.
Once these rules have sunk in well, you will be well on your way to avoiding the risks of red meat and bacon, and in so doing, will be able to find yourself other healthy substitutes.
A grass fed burger is not cancer causing.
Look for the update with MORE information coming soon – and the URL coming here!
Be well and be blessed! – Dr. E