5 Ways Meat Causes CANCER
1 - Sex Hormones
We can start with one of the most widely accepted causes of cancer which are sex hormones, in particular estrogen.
It is so widely accepted that estrogen causes cancer in women, that the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences deem estrogen a Cancer Causing Agent.
It is also proven, that mammal estrogens are 10,000x more potent than xenoestrogens, which are found in chemicals like BPA and that meat can contribute to 40% of estrogen intake.
And the remaining 60% of all external estrogen (the estrogen we consume) is from dairy products.
But how do we end up consuming mammal estrogens ?
Well it turns out that animal products have it. Chickens, pigs and cows all make it and we can use it.
And don't forget that 95% of cattle are given estrogen to increase growth, which causes the meat of these animals to have 4x more estrogen that normal meat.
Research referenced:
Potency of Mammal Estrogen in the Human body
60%+ of all External Estrogen from Dairy
Added Estrogen in cattle
2 - Hormone IGF-1 and Animal Protein
This might be the most important link between meat and cancer.
IGF-1 or Insulin-like growth factor 1 is a hormone.
It is not only naturally occurring in meat, but animal protein actually triggers our liver to create massive amounts of IGF-1.
This is why vegans have the lowest level of IGF-1 and also have the highest level of a protein that binds to extra IGF-1, that the body doesn't need.
So how does IGF-1 cause cancer?
As a growth hormone, IGF-1 triggers cancer cell growth to begin with. Also it spreads cancer into the bones, lungs, liver, blood and even the brain.
It also promotes Angiogenesis with the creation of new blood cells, that feed cancer.
And here is what happens, when we put people on a PLANT-BASED DIET: Switching to a plant-based diet and IGF-1
Not only does cancer growth massively decrease, but you can actually measure their levels of IGF-1 going down.
Research referenced:
IGF-1 Levels of vegans and others
IGF-1 and Cancer growth
3 - Protein Fermentation and Hydrogen Sulfide
Protein is not meant to ferment in our bodies.
We are pretty good at digesting all of our plant proteins before they get into our large intestine where fermentation takes place.
But with meat protein up to 12 g per day can make it into our large intestine.
This is where sulfurous animal proteins break down into Hydrogen Sulfide which is a highly toxic, rotten egg-smelling gas, that is known as a genotoxin. That means that it can destroy your DNA.
Research referenced:
12g of meat protein per day can enter the large intestine
Hydrogen Sulfide and DNA Damage
4 - Mutagenic compounds in meat
As you cook meat proteins at high temperatures, they turn into Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are potent Carcinogens.
Research referenced:
Chemicals in Meat Cooked at High Temperatures and Cancer Risk
5 - Cholesterol feeds Cancer
Cholesterol is only present in animal products. It is nor present in any plant foods at all.
Cholesterol is capable of regulating proliferation, migration, and signaling pathways in breast cancer.
Research referenced:
Cholesterol and breast cancer development
Thanks for this post. People really need to be educated on the need to, not just reduce their consumption of meats, but to go vegan!
There's a REALLY great video on this subject.
@kozlevcar thank you very much for sharing this because I just switched to eating vegan a year ago and it helps to have consistent reinforcement of why! Sharing this on upvotable 13 now!
Thank you so much @jerrybanfield :) Switching to a plant based vegan diet is one of the best things you can do for yourself, the animals and the environment. I am so happy to see someone like you, who has the power to reach such a big crowd, supporting the vegan diet.
Excellent post. Eating as organic/wholefood as possible and supporting your body with loads of antioxidants - Turmeric & Garlic are a go-to for me!
Vegetarian since 2011, full vegan was quite a bit more difficult. It seemed dairy products find their way into most everything, enjoyed your post.
Thank you so much I really appreciate the support :) Yup, most processed foods contain things such as diary or eggs, so sticking to a plant based diet is optimal. If you need any advice or have any questions, feel free to ask I am always happy to help :)
Good information in this post!! I am doing my best to not eat meat other than once or twice a month - not an easy thing for me - Reading this post confirms my decision not to eat meat on a regular basis. Have a GREAT Wednesday!! SUNSHINE24
Thank you for the comment :) Well once you know how bad meat is for you and that you are eating flesh of a murdered animal, the the no meat eating part becomes really easy I think :) And you also need time to learn this new way of eating and get used to it, so every little change counts.
I am trying to avoid eating too much meat! Good for health.
Well you shuld be focusing on not eating any animal products sice they all cause dieseses and are not even remotely healthy.. lowering your meat intake alone will help, but to no great extent.
yes, thanks!