Literature review examines the relationship between lean meat consumption and heart health

Since health messages to the public are conflicting and confusing regarding the relationship between meat consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), the authors of this article reviewed 54 studies from international literature to clarify the latest scientific evidence regarding meat and heart health. The authors conclude that lean red meat, trimmed of visible fat, does not increase the risk of CHD and does not change thrombotic risk factors. Highlights from the review article include:

• Lean red meat does not have the same saturated fatty acid (SFA) profile as the visible fat of meat. Publications in international literature show that lean red meat is low in SFA. In fact, the SFA content is less than 1.5g/100g lean red meat compared to 37g SFA/100g of visible fat from red meat.

• Further analyses of the Nurses' Health Study suggesting that omnivores have a significantly higher risk of CHD show that the primary sources of dietary SFA intake were the hidden fats in fast foods, snack foods and other processed food. Only 8% of the daily fat intake was attributable to meat cuts.

• Consumption of lean red meat, unlike the visible fat of meat, does not increase serum cholesterol levels or increase thrombotic risk. Several studies have shown that lean red meat (beef, veal, and pork) and lean white meat (chicken and fish) have similar effects on serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triacylglycerol (TAG).

• In two similar studies comparing diets rich in lean red meat to diets containing soybean products, both had a similar effect on the reduction of plasma TC, LDL-C and TAG. In a specific study comparing lean beef to tofu, HDL-C was significantly increased and the LDL-C:HDL-C ratio was significantly decreased in the lean beef diet while there were no significant changes in the tofu diet.

• Lean red meat consumption had no adverse effect on production of thrombotic risk factors (thromboxane and prostacyclin or the activity of haemostatic factors).  In fact, in one cross sectional study, lacto-ovo vegetarian and vegan groups had greater thrombotic risk.

• Studies investigating the effects of a diet rich in lean beef on the fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids indicate that lean red meat can improve the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) status in humans.

• Elevated homocysteine levels are widely accepted as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In a cross sectional study of vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarians, moderated meat eaters (<285g/day) and high meat eaters, serum vitamin B12 concentration was significantly negatively associated with homocysteine concentration. The results also showed that dietary meat is a primary source of vitamin B12 and positively associated with plasma vitamin B12 concentration.

Lean red meat, trimmed of visible fat, can be a part of a low saturated fat diet that does not increase cardiovascular risk factors (plasma cholesterol levels or thrombotic risk factors).

Citation:
Lean meat and heart health. Li D, Siriamornpun S, Wahlqvist ML, Mann NJ, Sinclair AJ. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition:2005; 14(2):113-119.

To read the abstract, go to Lean meat and heart health

Research shows that nutrient-rich diets including a variety of foods support children’s bone development

Though generally manifested as a disease of older adulthood, osteoporosis is considered to have its roots in childhood and adolescence. Bone fractures later in life directly link to an individual’s peak bone mass as well as age-related bone loss. By maximizing peak bone mass, it’s possible to reduce the risk of later bone fractures. This study examined the relationship of children’s dietary intake, height, weight, and level of sedentary activity to their bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in a longitudinal study from ages 2 months to 8 years. Prior to this study, there has been little research into the relationship of nutrients, other than calcium, to bone development in children.

Energy, calcium, phosphorus, protein, magnesium and zinc positively and significantly correlated with total BMC. Energy, phosphorus, protein and magnesium showed positive and significant correlation with total BMD. The research identified few significant correlations between bone indexes of children and mothers.  However, the correlation for both BMC and BMD between ages six and eight years was positive and highly significant.  Since dietary factors are modifiable, the authors suggest that dietary recommendations for young children should emphasize the consumption of a variety of nutrient-rich foods.

Citation:
The relationship of dietary and lifestyle factors to bone mineral indexes in children. Bounds W, Skinner J, Carruth BR, Ziegler P. Journal of the American Dietetic Association:May 2005;105:735-741.

To read the abstract, go to The relationship of dietary and lifestyle factors to bone mineral indexes in children.

The timing of neonatal leptin surge is determined by fetal nutrition and contributes to the development of obesity

Epidemiological studies suggest that intrauterine undernourishment can lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome later in life. Scientists theorize that undernutrition in utero may cause the structure, physiology and metabolism to adapt to a limited nutrition supply.  When exposed to an excessive nutrition supply later in life the adapted traits become maladaptive and contribute to the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. This mouse study from Japan showed that undernourished offspring experience a premature onset of neonatal leptin surge compared to offspring with normal intrauterine nutrition. When a premature leptin surge is administered to offspring with normal intrauterine nutrition, the response is accelerated weight gain when fed a high fat diet. The authors conclude that the timing of the neonatal leptin surge is dependent on fetal nutrition and a premature leptin surge contributes to obesity in later life.

Citation:
Role of premature leptin surge in obesity resulting from intrauterine undernutrition. Yura S, Itoh H, Sagawa N, Yamamoto H, Masuzaki H, Nakao K, Kawamura M, Takemura M, Kakui K, Ogawa Y, Fujii S. Cell Metabolism:June 2005;1:371-378.

To read the abstract, go to Role of premature leptin surge in obesity resulting from intrauterine undernutrition.
 

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