A doctor seeking a role in the Trump administration has revealed the truth about red meat and colon cancer.
Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist close to Robert F Kennedy Jr. state, appeared on Megyn Kelly’s podcast Friday to discuss nutrition, heart disease and other health issues facing the new administration.
Numerous recent studies have suggested that red meats, such as steaks, could be causing an explosion in colon cancer in young Americans due to their high saturated fat content.
The US government has even proposed urging Americans to reduce red meat consumption and switch to plant-based proteins due to these health fears.
Dr. However, Malhotra suggested that red meat is being wrongly demonized and that there is ‘no evidence’ that it increases the risk of colon cancer in moderation.
He said: ‘I tell my patients, ‘I don’t care how much red meat you eat.’ For colon cancer there is only evidence for processed meat, not for red meat.’
Dr. Malhotra echoes what other doctors have noted: Most studies on meat and cancer risk do not distinguish between foods such as steak and lamb, and processed hamburgers and hot dogs.
He noted that while meat continues to be demonized, refined grains such as white bread and pasta are still recommended in U.S. dietary guidelines.
Kelly reacted in shock, “Wow, that’s crazy!” she said.
British cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra (pictured right with RFK Jr) appeared on the Megyn Kelly show this week to discuss the link between red meat and colon cancer
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Dr. Malhotra also suggested that red meat does not increase the risk of heart disease for the same reasons, despite the fact that it has long been associated with the condition.
He said: ‘Eating foods like red meat does not contribute to heart disease at all.’
Dr. Malhotra instead pointed to ultra-processed foods and foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates as the real culprit.
However, the American Heart Association still recommends consuming red meat and other foods high in saturated fat, such as eggs, in moderation.
The claims come amid rumors that Dr. Malhotra has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump for an advisory role in tackling America’s obesity and heart disease crises.
Dr. Malhotra also has close ties to RFK Jr, Trump’s pick for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, who has spoken extensively about his plans to ban ultra-processed foods and tackle obesity.
A growing carnivore diet movement, which preaches eating only animal products, has also questioned red meat’s role in chronic diseases such as cancer.
The diagnosis of bowel cancer among people under 50, which is classified as early-onset, is expected to increase by 90 percent between 2010 and 2030 in people aged 20 to 34.
No single cause has been identified, but ultra-processed foods are thought to play a role because they contain fats, sugars and other chemicals that lead to inflammation in the digestive tract.
Although some recent studies have placed the blame on red meat, Dr Malhotra said processed meats such as sausage and bacon are the likely culprits.
Dr. Malhotra told Kelly (pictured here): ‘For colon cancer there is only evidence for processed meat, not red meat’
Dr. Malhotra suggested cutting out refined carbohydrates in place of red meat to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease
A study published earlier this year in the journal NPJ Precision Oncology suggested that processed meat produces metabites, which researchers said “feeds” cancer cells and “hijacks” normal cells.
And other recent research suggests that eating processed meat more than once a week is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer markers.
Meanwhile, younger Americans are also less likely than older generations to choose a steak over chicken or fish.
Research of Tulane University found that Boomers are responsible for the majority of U.S. red meat consumption, and that overall consumption has fallen by about six percent over the past two years.