Just like with most things in life, red meat can be enjoyed in moderation. While eating some red meat is fine, overdoing it can be detrimental to your heart health. At Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island, our goal is to keep our patients as heart-healthy as possible. Our functional medicine doctor will warn you of the dangers associated with eating red meat, the benefits of a plant-based diet, and offer the necessary treatment should any issues arise.

Is Red Meat Unhealthy?

Red meat is an excellent source of nutrition, as it is rich in iron, zinc, and protein. While these nutrients are beneficial to your health, red meat also contains its share of problems. Red meats are very high in saturated fats, and consuming too much of these can lead to an increased risk of suffering from heart disease. Studies have also shown that eating large amounts of red meat can increase your level of the metabolite known as trimethylamine N-oxide in the body. This toxin is produced by the bacteria in your gut during digestion, which can also put you at an increased risk for heart disease. Finally, it is believed that consuming too much red meat puts you at risk for certain cancers.

What To Eat Instead 

While red meat does hold some nutritional value, there are better ways to reap the same benefits. If you’d like to receive the nutrients in red meat without putting yourself at risk for certain problems associated with its overconsumption, our functional medicine doctor has some alternatives for you. When limiting red meat consumption, we recommend increasing your consumption of the following foods:

  • Poultry.
  • Soybeans.
  • Garbonzo beans.
  • Soybeans.
  • Lentils.
  • Split peas.
  • Black-eyed peas.      

How Our Functional Medicine Doctor Can Help

If you’re someone who tends to eat a lot of red meat, consider scheduling an appointment with our functional medicine doctor sooner rather than later. Our team takes what is known as a “system biology approach,” which focuses on treating the underlying causes of heart afflictions. This approach takes the focus away from a diseased organ and shifts it towards identifying the metabolic and toxin imbalances that affect all aspects of bodily functions. Doing so helps to promote overall health levels.

Red meat is of course not the only cause of heart-related issues. While managing your intake of this substance will help to keep you healthier, heart conditions can take place at any time. If you believe you are currently dealing with a heart problem, be sure to contact us today. Our functional medicine doctor will conduct a full assessment of your condition and provide the necessary treatment to get your back to full health.