Lean meat contains proteins, healthy fats, and glutathione – an amino acid that regenerates other antioxidants, regulates immune cells, protects cells from free radicals. Protein also helps control appetite and requires more calories to digest.
Meat is also a major source of iron. Iron help provide energy and energizes cells that protect you from cancer causing free radicals. Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, skin conditions, and hair loss. Eating with vitamin-C rich fruit helps boost your iron absorption. Meat also is a major source of niacin. Niacin deficiency is being linked to more diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The combination of iron, b vitamins, and zinc is a powerful stress fighter. And meat contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which are scientifically proven to inhibit malignant melanomas, as well as colorectal, breast and lung cancers.
BUT – processed meats like bacon, sausage, hot dogs and so on, should be limited. You should eat mostly fish and poultry for your meat intake with lean red meat only a couple times a week.
OK, another BUT – the problems with meat come from what the animals are being fed. They are loaded with antibiotics, steroids, growth hormones, and other unsavory stuff. The same is true for chicken and fish. That’s why ‘wild’ fish is being reported as the more nutritious, and safer choice. Organic meat, or animals that have been naturally grass-fed is the absolute best choice, but costly. Hopefully as demand increases, the price will come down. Eat organic as much as you can afford.
There is currently a debate on animal fats. Some doctors are saying that we’ve actually been getting too little. The problem is, the chemicals the animals are fed will be stored in their fat cells, just like humans. If you are eating commercial meats, eat lean. If you are eating grass fed, organic, etc. you don’t have to be as concerned about the fat. In the old days, the best meats were marbled which gave them the best flavor.
One more BUT – recently it has been publicized that you should not char your meat. While this might be another ‘chicken wing’ sort of scare, it’s probably better to err on the side of safety. I love my meat charred 🙁
Meats with the highest iron – Beef liver, chicken liver, red meat, pork, poultry.
