Researchers identify how red meat increases cardiovascular disease risk (Carnitine to TMA / TMAO converter found)

Medical Xpress / Cleveland Clinic / Nature Microbiology ^ | Dec. 23, 2021 | Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD

[ConservativeMind]

A study has revealed new insights into how a diet rich in red meat increases risk for cardiovascular disease.

In previous studies, Dr. Hazen found that a byproduct that forms when gut bacteria digest certain nutrients abundant in red meat and other animal products—called TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide)—increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

In 2018, Dr. Hazen published results showing that dietary carnitine is converted into TMAO in the gut through a two-step, two microbe process. An intermediary metabolite in this process is a molecule called γBB (gamma-butyrobetaine).

According to Dr. Hazen, multiple gut microbes can convert dietary carnitine to γBB, but very few can transform the molecule to TMA, the precursor to TMAO. "In omnivores, Emergencia timonensis is the primary human gut microbe involved in the transformation of γBB to TMA/TMAO. Conversely, long-term vegetarians and vegans have very low levels of this microbe in their gut and therefore have minimal to no capacity to convert carnitine into TMAO."

The researchers studied the relationship between fasting plasma γBB levels and disease outcomes using samples and clinical data collected from nearly 3,000 patients. Higher γBB levels were associated with cardiovascular disease and major adverse events including death, non-fatal heart attack or stroke.

"By studying patient samples, we saw that the abundance of gbuA [a gene] is significantly associated with a diet rich in red meat and plasma TMAO levels," said Dr. Hazen. "Patients who transitioned to a non-meat diet went on to exhibit reduced gut microbial levels of gbuA. Taken together, this suggests that dietary modifications may help reduce diet- and TMAO- associated cardiovascular disease risk. Likewise, the role of the gbu gene cluster may be worth exploring as a potential therapeutic target."

[ConservativeMind]

Of note, Cleveland Clinic previously found that taking balsamic vinegar or olive oil when ingesting carnitine or choline sources (the molecules are strangely similar) blocked the bacteria from converting either into TMAO.

Also, ConsumerLab noted that most choline sources do not cause long term TMAO bloodstream concerns, only elevating TMAO for, at most, a couple hours. The bigger issue with TMAO appears to be continued conversion over many hours, each day.

[ConservativeMind]

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This potentially high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to implement for your benefit.

Please email or private message me if you want on or off of this list.

[Skywise]

Sure, Jan…

[NWFree]

I’m having a sirloin as I read this lol 🤪

[servantboy777]

I’m pretty sure God gave us beef to eat. Just like anything else, moderation.

[Karliner]

So bugs?

[TexasFreeper2009]

it’s amazing how much time and energy people spend trying to “prove” to us how everything we love is supposedly bad for us, while everything awful is supposedly good for us.

[BipolarBob]

Red meat? It’s only red when it’s raw. They should try cooking it. It turns it brown and has a nice charred flavor to it.

[cuban leaf]

I suppose the key is in the definition of “rich” . And this speaks to the word “moderation”. Water will kill you if not taken in moderation. We call it “drowning”.

[cuban leaf]

I love mine blood red. :)

[BipolarBob]

I think we’ve identified who is at cardiovascular disease risk.

[QuigleyDU]

Nope, doesn’t happen. Red meat does not lead to heart disease its the carb junk that’s served with. Fries, baked potatoes and bread.

Death by Red meat has been debunked, but like all health/diet cults the faithful just won’t let it go.

[Irenic]

I don’t need it everyday but there’s no way I will ever give up red meat. Never. There’s risk to almost everything.

[Flick Lives]

Funny how there are not any studies warning against processed foods or foods high in sugar. Once might question the independence of the government funded medical community.

[V_TWIN]

“So bugs?”

Or fake meat......F all that noise.

[V_TWIN]

“there’s no way I will ever give up red meat. Never”

There’s a reason God gave me canine teeth....and it sure as hell wasn’t so I could eat tofu.

[Skywise]

Yup - and remember that “science” told us that margarine was better and healthier for us than butter!

[libertylover]

I think I’m going to go and warm up my leftover T-bone steak from the other night. Mmmmmmm.

[TBall]

Just made a marinade for the venison loin I will be eating 48 hours from now. I’m going back on the low carb/ sugar diet that will last until Thanksgiving. Too many temptations between Thanksgiving and New Years for me so I just enjoy that time.

[packagingguy]

“most choline sources do not cause long term TMAO bloodstream concerns”

Egg yolks are a great source of choline which is very good for kids’ brain development.

Then every so often we will have some new scare about well, you name it, dairy, eggs, meat, fish etc. Then ask yourself, how long have humans and their ancestors been eating these things? Probably since the age of the dinosaurs.

Thanks for the olive oil tip—it seems like grapes and olives are some of the healthiest foods out there.