Articles by Dr. Erdman are for informational purposes, and are not to be taken as specific medical advice.
Have you joined the newest fad of eating fake meat? Have you
been persuaded that the ‘Impossible Burger’ and ‘Beyond Meats’ burger are
healthy options? Did you even look into what these things are made from? Don’t
believe the hype, they are awful for your health and as sustainable food.
Let’s start at the very basic level of why they are bad.
First you must know what linoleic acid (LA) is.
LA is an omega-6 fat which contributes to metabolic dysfunction. It is
literally a metabolic poison that contributes to systemic inflammation. It is
found in higher quantities in all grains and oils from them.
LA consumption should be minimal in our diets, less than 3-5 grams per day. Today, most diets contain 10-20 times that amount. This leads to severe insulin resistance, obesity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and loss of cell energy.
These burgers are made with oils loaded with LA. Specifically
the ‘Impossible Burger’ comes from canola oil (21% LA) and genetically
engineered soy. The ‘Beyond Meats’ burger has a lot of safflower oil, which is
81% LA! Despite the claims of “sustainability,” a careful look reveals
soy-based meats actually cause greater environmental harm than organic
grass-fed beef production.
Beyond how bad this fake meat is for your health, there is a
political side to the equation, too. Fake meat is one more step towards
controlling the food chain. Just like heirloom seeds were replaced with
patented seeds that you need to pay for each season, these fake meats are
patented food. Private companies now control this food. Looking down the road
far enough, you can see that patented food can actually threaten food supply,
not enhance it.
Here’s an even worse idea from the scientific fake food
community, human cell-based meat. This “meat” is grown from cells derived from
your cheek! It has already been done.
A “DIY meal kit” that can be used to grow steaks made from
human cells was given a “design of the year” award! It is called the “Ouroboros
Steak,” named after the circular symbol of a snake known for eating itself tail
first. This kit would allow you to grow “human meat steaks!” What would even
possess someone to come up with this idea? That is just gross, not to mention
cannibalistic!
Fake meat in any form is ultra-processed food. When it comes
to health and nutrition, there is no reason to believe any of these imitation
meats will be better, or even equal to real meat. Products at the far end of
the “significantly altered” spectrum have been robustly linked to obesity, ill
health and early death in several studies.
One study showed that every 10% increase in ultra-processed
food intake raised the rate of the risk of cancer by 12%. Specifically, breast
cancer went up 11% for each 10% increase in ultra-processed food in the diet.
Real food equals life! One has to wonder if humans can live
a normal life eating so much fake food. You can count me out of this unhealthy
shift in food. It’s a dangerous trend that poses crazy risks to food security
and good health.
Choose as much organic, biodynamic and grass-fed food as
possible. Ultimately, fake food contributes to rising numbers of people who
suffer from diet related health conditions.
Buy local meat with grass fed/organic options to give your
body the best chance at good health and lessen the chances of chronic ill
health.