"High protein diet linked to spiked cancer risk akin to smoking 20 cigarettes a day: U.S. study"

National Post ^ | Mar. 5, 2014 | Sarah Knapton

[Jacob Kell]

Eating too much protein could be as dangerous as smoking for middle-aged people, a study has found.

Research which tracked thousands of adults for nearly 20 years found that those who eat a diet rich in animal protein are four times more likely to die of cancer than someone with a low-protein diet.

The risk is nearly as high as the danger of developing cancer from smoking 20 cigarettes each day.

Previous studies have shown a link between cancer and red meat, but it is the first time research has measured the risk of death associated with regularly eating too much protein.

[ought-six]

If this is the case then the human species would have become extinct several thousand years ago, as our way-back ancestors wolfed down the raw meat of their prey whenever they had the chance. Thus, they would have died out from cancer en masse.

[Sicon]

Correlation does not equal causality. Also, “experts” and “studies”, particularly in the area of diets and their effects, have been proven wrong many times before.

[Califreak]

I believe cancer is genetic in origin.

How else do you explain the nonsmoker with oral or lung cancer?

Maybe the nicotine and additives cause more cell mutation in already prone people?

Genetics.

[tx_eggman]

Only one?

[ought-six]

“I stand by pork but she swears by beef.”

I have to agree with you. Pork is better than beef for BBQ (and I mean REAL BBQ, not grilling).

[vetvetdoug]

Junk science. Until there is more data stating otherwise, I am not going to believe it.

[exDemMom]

“Exposure to high levels of HCAs and PAHs can cause cancer in animals; however, whether such exposure causes cancer in humans is unclear.”

Well, that is a drawback in any kind of research. Sticking with animals and cells, we can use very rigorous methodology, ensuring that each study group is identical, save for the variable under study. However, it is not ethical to study humans using that same rigorous methodology. So we are stuck with establishing carcinogenicity in animals and trying to analyze whether the same effect is true in humans without actually testing on humans. The more carefully animal or cell studies are designed, the higher the likelihood that the results will be applicable to humans.

[Dr. Sivana]

Only 20-24 percent of smokers get lung cancer.

I wasn't addressing the number of smokers who get lung cancer, only that when smokers get cancer, they are more likely to get lung cancer than other cancer. I think it isw largely genes. My paternal grandparents both died of lung cancer in their early '60s. My father got lung cancer in his early THIRTIES back in the early '70s. He lived only because it was caught VERY early due to a TB test for a job he was taking.

So, I was NOT saying that most smokers get cancer, only that when they do, it is VERY often lung cancer.

[Joe 6-pack]

I'm on a generally paleo, high protein, mostly Pescatarian diet, and I smoke. Guess I'm a goner.

At least I'll look good in my casket; I have the same 34-35" waist I've had for the last 25 years.

Typically, I'll fast one day x week (I'll eat a decent breakfast Wednesday morning and not eat again until breakfast Thursday). I try to eat a high fat breakfast within the first 30 minutes I'm up in the morning, and that pretty much stems my hunger for the rest of the day, but force myself to eat a humble lunch and dinner of maybe some smoked oysters or a can of smoked trout and cheese, with our without some beans, which are one of the highest protein, lowest carb veggies out there.

I moved into a fixer-upper late last year so much of my free time has been highly invested in home improvement projects and my workout routine has really dropped off the last 9 months or so, but I really haven't added any weight. I'm convinced carbs that aren't burnt off properly really are one of the unhealthiest things you can eat. But if anybody wants to eat them, I'm not about to tell them what they should or shouldn't eat, and all I ask is they reciprocate in kind.

[DManA]

The other day we bought a real cheap cut of meat, marinated it for an hour, and it was as tender and flavorful as a cut 10X as expensive.

[captain_dave]

A “Study” is NOT research. Usually it’s for developing an hypothesis (an “idea”) which may or may not be true.

For example: I could say, after noticing people drowning, “a high consumption of water is linked to breathing difficulties, study says”. True, yet also false.

[CodeToad]

Same type of thing was said of salt, eggs, cheese, and many other products we now know were based on “junk science” by liberals with a political agenda.

[Varda]

This was published in Cell Metabolism which I’m NOT finding in the list of peer reviewed journals for biology.

[CodeToad]

“Dr. Joel Furman”

Another idiot that writes more books than he has ever studied the subject. I NEVER take the word of someone that is more into writing books and making money than involved in the actual science. Real scientists don’t have time to perform science and write all the books this clown has.

[Wheelman81]

I often wonder if any of these so-called experts knows what they are talking about. Just think about the evolution of the traditional food pyramid in recent years. (Oh! We were clueless before, but NOW we know!) I can only judge by my own experience, and I can tell you that my weight has become manageable, my digestive health vastly improved, and my clarity and energy levels have returned to normal by strictly limiting carbohydrates. I was already convinced of this, then I read David Perlmutter’s The Grain Brain. It makes an impassioned case for carbohydrates contributing to inflammation, which is a major component of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. It seems to vindicate Atkins’ approach. Frankly, Atkins (along with exercise!!) was the only thing that worked for me—I lost 65 lbs. in the last year, and am stronger than I’ve been in decades at age 60. I think even my MD is jealous!

[Ditter]

I tried a totally vegetarian diet a few years ago. After a couple of weeks I never felt worse in my life, constant headache, no energy, just generally sick. Started back with the protein and I was well again. It might be right for some people but we are not all the same.

[Lazamataz]

Based on this one article alone, I have gone to a 100% animal flesh diet, preferably raw. Even better — still alive and struggling.

[Lazamataz]

I’m smoking a pork shoulder.

You need big rolling papers for those.

[Dead Corpse]

Allow me to clarify then...

It would seem that the exact pathway is still an unknown.

Is there a specific animal protein based benzene/amine sequence processed by the human gut and passed to our cells that can trigger cancerous mutation? It would “seem” that such a pathway exists in other species... But it is still an unknown for us...

My Uncle was a bio-chem scientist who lost a two year battle with pancreatic cancer. It’s given me a renewed interest in the topic.

[CatherineofAragon]

According to the article, not only is red meat bad; so is dairy, cheese, and even too much chicken or fish! I guess that leaves carrot juice and grass.

Also....vegetables are a source of protein?