RED meat, believe it or not, is a known carcinogen, a food item associated a lot with cancer. Studies have repeatedly shown, confirmed by new findings, that eating red meat, especially processed red meat more than once a week, raises the risk for colorectal cancer, and even higher among those with genetic predisposition.
A recent report (pooled 27 studies, 29,842 cases) identified “two biomarkers associated with a higher risk for colorectal cancer from red meat consumption. Participants with these biomarkers had a higher risk for colorectal cancer when they consumed higher amounts of red meat…Colorectal cancer is one of the more serious cancer subtypes.”
Each year, almost 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancers (second leading cause of death, next to heart attack) are found in the United States, and 50,000 die each year from this disease. Eating red meat also increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases, besides other forms of cancer.
Red meat is not essential in our diet; we can live without eating red meat. Fish, chicken, and vegetables, some fruits and nuts, olive oil, and avocado oil are popular items in Mediterranean Diet, the popular healthy diet today.
Fasting is healthy
New studies revealed that intermittent fasting may offer other health benefits besides weight loss, such as protection against cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer. It might also help in protecting the health of our gastrointestinal system, especially the small intestines (jejunum, which helps digestion, absorbs nutrients and water), and it is also associated with better glucose control and decreased inflammation.
According to the studies, “some of the more popular patterns of intermittent fasting include time-restrictive eating, where the fast lasts 12, 14, or 16 hours, and the eating period stretches over the remaining hours of the day, or the 5:2 method, where a person consumes only 500 calories for 2 days of the week and then eats normally for the remaining 5 days.”
Currently the most popular diet, intermittent fasting, done properly, is deemed safe and is a healthy practice among 12 percent of Americans. It also benefits those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). This also improves cholesterol level, better blood sugar control, and body composition.
If interested, especially among diabetics, consult with your physician about his recommendation on strategies: (1) Eating early dinner, and not eating from 6 p.m. till 8 a.m. the following day; (2) Eating on alternative days; (3) 5:2 diet, fasting for 2 days consecutively and eating normally for 5 days; (4) Time-restricted – “eating window” to 4-12 hours (normal calories), a fasting period of 12-20 hours, a very popular strategy. Of this, the 16:8 pattern, eating during an 8-hour window and fasting for 16 hours each day is the most recommended eating pattern.
Eating by following the Mediterranean diet for 5 years has been shown to reduce the rate of heart attack and stroke by 30 percent, without fasting. Obviously combining the two strategies confer all those benefits from both.
Bird Flu
The Bird Flu detected this week in some herds of dairy cows across six states is the first time the virus has infected cattle. The Texas health officials also “confirmed that a farm worker contracted the virus, only the second known case of H5N1 in the United States.” With this outbreak, although human-to-human transmission of the bird flu is rare, experts are warning “against eating runny eggs for the time being.” Those who are working in close contact with animals are, obviously, more prone to get infected. The symptoms could be like those of common flu, sometimes only with pink eyes (conjunctivitis). The virus is also seen in wild birds. Caution is very important. For any concerns, consult your physician.
Pancreatic cancer
A great preliminary report: A new blood test “appears capable of detecting early-stage pancreatic cancer with up to 97 percent accuracy.” This very deadly cancer of the pancreas is usually diagnosed very late because of its posterior location in the abdomen. By the time it is discovered, spread to other parts of the body has already occurred, precluding surgery. Patients with pancreatic cancer usually die within 4-6 months after diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate, with spread, is about 3 percent. The most current trial among 523 patients in the U.S. and Japan shows 98 percent detection rate, when the blood test was combined with the already-established bio-marker CA 19-9. This blood test will obviously result in a greater survival rate from this treacherous fatal malignancy.
Sleep Apnea and diet
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), breath holding for a prolonged period dozens of times while asleep, increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, hypertension, diabetes T2, Alzheimer’s and even cancer. Breath-holding severely reduces the oxygen in the body which is detrimental to all vital organs. New studies found that eating plant-based diet significantly reduces the risk for the development of OSA, but the unhealthy plant-based ones (refined grains, sugar, salt, and animal-based food items), increases the risk, especially processed foods, which also elevate the risk for cancer.
Latest data also show that “consuming a diet high in ultra-processed foods may increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea due to factors such as obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance, poor sleep quality, and exacerbation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).”
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article is general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, health advocate, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: [email protected].