Too Much Red Meat In The Diet May Speed Up Biological Aging, Study Reveals

First Posted: May 02, 2016 05:30 AM EDT
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Hamburgers are probably the most delicious part of a western diet. Although there are health risks associated with it, Americans are still unwilling to stop themselves from eating it. In a new study, researchers found that a diet containing too much red meat and not enough fruit and vegetables could increase your body's 'biological age' and contribute to health problems.

According to Medical Daily, over consumption of red meat could hasten the body's biological age. Unlike chronological age, which is the number of years a person has loved, experts suggest that a person's biological age is closely related to a person's risk for age-related diseases such as dementia, Live Science reported.

One of the factors that determine this is the amount of serum phosphate in the body, particles that increase when people eat meat. Researchers explained that even a moderate raise in serum phosphate levels can speed up biological aging, and even more so for men living in poor areas. The study which involved participants from the most deprived to the least deprived in the NHS Greater Glasgow Health Board area. The study reveals that males who are deprived were the most affected.

Data show that increased biological aging and phosphate containing diet among the most deprived men were directly connected to how often they consume red meat. Researchers believe that excess red meat particularly affects this group because of their poor diet and "sub-optimal fruit and vegetable intake. MedicalXpress reported that the research, which was led by the the Institute of Cancer Sciences in collaboration with the Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm, Sweden), also revealed that increased phosphate levels in deprived males are directly connected with a reduce kidney function and is at risk of a mild to moderate chronic kidney disease.

Professor Paul Shiels said: "The data in this study provides evidence for a mechanistic link between high intake of phosphate and age-related morbidities tied to socio-economic status. "Our observations indicate that elevated red meat consumption has adverse effects amongst deprived males, who already have a poor diet and eat less fruit and vegetables than recommended," he added.

Shiels also explained that they think this group the effects of high serum phosphate intake may be exacerbated. It is very obvious that these effects are not apparent among less deprived males, or in females, especially in the context of a more balanced diet.

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