Doctors and nutritionists have long warned that excess red meat in the diet can affect heart health. The American heart Association (American Heart Association) recommends eating lean meat fish or chicken without the skin, because they have less saturated fats that increase the levels of bad cholesterol.

According to two new studies, the consumption of red meat significantly increases the production of a chemical called TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide), which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. In addition, the researchers made the discovery a diet rich in red meat, can change the function of the kidneys.

One of our most surprising results was that a diet rich in red meat, it literally changed the function of the kidneys. We have seen that renal function was changed under the constant action of the diet. This is, to my knowledge, was not previously known, said Dr. Stanley Hazen (Stanley Hazen) from the Cleveland clinic (Cleveland Clinic).

TMAO is produced by gut bacteria during the digestion of red meat. The measurement of its level in the blood may be another strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The first study, published in the European Heart Journal, showed a significant increase in TMAO levels (10 times for 10 months) on a controlled diet rich in red meat. This has not happened with people on other diets, vegetarian and rich white meat (poultry and fish). The level of TMAO had no effect and other vegetarian sources of fat. The cessation of eating red meat resulted in a decrease of TMAO levels in the plasma for four weeks.

In the second study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigations, it was revealed that the intestinal bacteria transform the amino acid carnitine into TMAO. Carnitine in dietary supplements, meat-eaters accelerated the production of TMAO by intestinal bacteria. In organisms vegetarians and vegans TMAO production increased just in a few weeks.

These results podgnivat current dietary recommendations which encourage all ages to follow a healthy heart eating plan, limiting red meat. This means eating a variety of foods, including more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and plant sources of protein such as beans and peas, said Charlotte Pratt (Charlotte Pratt), doctor of philosophy, head of the research project of the National Institute of heart, lung and blood (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute).

Valeria SEMA