How red meat, energy drinks endanger heart

Monday April 8th, 2013

Researchers say they have found a compound in red meat that directly contributes to the development of heart disease.

The findings caused extra alarm as the compound, carnitine, is often added to energy drinks.

They show that common bacteria that live in the human gut transform carnitine into another chemical known to cause hardening of the human arteries, TMAO.

And a diet high in red meat or carnitine also fosters the growth of these bacteria, aggravating the problem, according to a report in Nature Medicine.

Carnitine is found in beef, lamb, pork, duck and venison.

The findings come from a series of studies conducted in the laboratory and also involving more than 2,500 heart disease patients.

The researchers say their work may be the first to explain why lean red meat contributes to heart disease.

Researcher Dr Stanley Hazen, of the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA, said: "A diet high in carnitine actually shifts our gut microbe composition to those that like carnitine, making meat eaters even more susceptible to forming TMAO and its artery-clogging effects.

"Meanwhile, vegans and vegetarians have a significantly reduced capacity to synthesise TMAO from carnitine, which may explain the cardiovascular health benefits of these diets."

He added: "Carnitine is not an essential nutrient; our body naturally produces all we need. We need to examine the safety of chronically consuming carnitine supplements."

Victoria Taylor, of the British Heart Foundation, said the findings highlighted the danger of taking dietary supplements.

She said: "While the findings won’t necessarily mean a change to existing recommendations, these scientists have served up a good reminder for us to think about alternative sources of protein if we regularly eat a lot of red or processed meats.

"The odd meat-free day isn’t such a bad thing and eating less meat automatically leaves room in your diet for other foods high in protein like fish, pulses, nuts and eggs, all of which should be part of a nutritious and varied diet."

Robert A Koeth et al. Intestinal microbiota metabolism of l-carnitine, a nutrient in red meat, promotes atherosclerosis. Nature Medicine 7 April 2013; doi: 10.1038/nm.3145, April 2013

Tags: Diet & Food | Fitness | Heart Health | North America | UK News

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