For those who have been wary of consuming meat due to research indicating a link between colon cancer and other illnesses, it’s crucial to remember that the type of meat being consumed plays a significant role. A natural chemical found in specific kinds of meat benefits your digestive tract and combats cancer cells.
The problem with current research that discourages meat consumption is that it doesn’t distinguish between types of meat. Consequently, when increased cases of cancer are found among meat-eaters, it’s challenging to assess the relationship between organic meat and potential illness. Processed meats such as deli meats, hot dogs, and commercially produced burgers found in fast-food restaurants and the frozen food aisle at grocery stores should be avoided.
However, a steak made from grass-fed, pasture-raised beef (not raised on organic grains, which is not their native diet) is abundant in a substance called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA is a fatty acid that has been proven to boost your immune system, promote healing, and prevent the growth and spread of numerous cancers.
The Nutritional Immunology and Molecular Medicine Laboratory (NIMML) research team at Virginia Tech has shown that CLA can help control Crohn’s disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Researcher Raquel Hontecillas stated, “Furthermore, we have demonstrated that probiotic bacteria (the friendly bacteria in your intestines) can produce CLA locally and suppress colitis. Therefore, CLA can be administered directly in capsules or indirectly through CLA-producing probiotic bacteria.”
Additionally, CLA can help reduce body fat and lower the risk of obesity-related cancers. A study from the University of Maryland reveals that CLA activates the molecules in your body responsible for killing colorectal cancer cells. Another study sheds light on how women can greatly benefit from CLA, as it inhibits the growth and spread of breast and endometrial cancers.
This type of research should take precedence – focusing on how natural substances can improve our well-being. A fatty acid like CLA can help stop cancer in its tracks and promote healing that aligns with the body’s normal maintenance of homeostasis, offering a dependable, long-term health solution.
As mentioned earlier, consuming grass-fed beef can provide healthy doses of CLA. But there are a few other lesser-known sources worth noting. Bitter melon seeds, pomegranate seeds, and mushrooms are all excellent sources of CLA. In addition to converting sunlight into vitamin D, mushrooms also contain some CLA.
In summary, incorporating the right kind of meat and other sources of CLA into your diet can have substantial health benefits and combat conditions such as cancer. Avoiding processed meats and opting for grass-fed beef, bitter melon seeds, pomegranate seeds, and mushrooms can all contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
