Why Incorporating Red Meat & Cholesterol Can Heal You

Red meat, which includes beef, lamb, and pork, can be a nutritious and important source of protein, iron, and other essential nutrients in a well-balanced diet. Some of the nutrients found in red meat include:

Protein: Red meat is a good source of high-quality protein, which is important for building and repairing tissues and maintaining muscle mass. Protein is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in building and repairing tissues, including muscle tissue. When you engage in physical activity, such as weight lifting, your muscles undergo small tears and damage. These tears and damage are repaired through a process called protein synthesis, which uses amino acids (the building blocks of protein) to build new muscle tissue.

Iron: Red meat is a rich source of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body than non-heme iron found in plant-based sources. Iron is important for carrying oxygen throughout the body and supporting immune function.

B vitamins: Red meat is a good source of B vitamins, including niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, which are important for energy metabolism and the production of red blood cells.

Zinc: Red meat is a good source of zinc, which is important for immune function, testosterone production, and wound healing.

In addition to these nutrients, red meat also contains other essential nutrients, such as selenium, phosphorus, and creatine.

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is found in your blood and is an essential component of your body's cells. It's used to make hormones, including testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol, as well as vitamin D and bile acids, which help digest fats. Cholesterol is also a precursor to many other substances in the body, including certain neurotransmitters that help regulate mood and behavior.

Your body can produce all the cholesterol it needs, but it can also be obtained from dietary sources, such as animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy.

While cholesterol is important for many functions in the body, it's important to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in your blood. Elevated levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, are a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can increase the risk of blockages and blood clots.

There is some evidence to suggest that consuming large amounts of added sugars, such as those found in sweetened beverages and processed foods, may increase LDL cholesterol levels. Here's how it may happen:

Sugar is converted into fat: When you consume sugar, your body converts it into a type of fat called triglycerides. High levels of triglycerides in the blood have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

Sugar can increase inflammation: Consuming large amounts of sugar can increase inflammation in the body, which is a risk factor for heart disease.

Sugar can decrease HDL cholesterol: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "good" cholesterol, helps remove LDL cholesterol from the arteries. Consuming large amounts of sugar may decrease HDL cholesterol levels, which can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

It's important to keep in mind that while consuming too much sugar can be harmful to your health, it's also important to get enough carbohydrates in your diet, as they are an important source of energy for your body. Instead of consuming refined sugars, try to get your carbohydrates from whole, unprocessed sources, such as fruits, and vegetables.

On the other hand, high levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are generally considered to be beneficial and may help protect against heart disease.

HDL cholesterol helps remove excess cholesterol from the arteries: When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it can accumulate in the walls of the arteries and form plaque. This can increase the risk of blockages and blood clots, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. HDL cholesterol helps remove excess cholesterol from the arteries and transport it back to the liver, which can help reduce the risk of plaque formation.

High levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with a lower risk of heart disease: Studies have shown that people with higher levels of HDL cholesterol tend to have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

HDL cholesterol may have anti-inflammatory effects: Some research suggests that HDL cholesterol may have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help protect against heart disease.

As an added bonus to a thriving gut bacteria, I recommend:

Incorporate fermented foods: Fermented foods, such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir, contain beneficial bacteria that can help support the health of your gut microbiome.

Consider taking a high probiotic food, raw, with all of the digestible nutrients uncooked: (raw liver, raw yolks, raw kefir/milk/cheese, raw honey, etc.) include live microorganisms that can help improve the balance of good bacteria in your gut.