Eating Meat Linked with Cancer - Oversimplified statement?

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:56 am

In the UK media today, it has been announced that "they" have found a link betwen eating meat and cancer, especially red meat. Breast cancer was the one cited this morning on the radio.

But my understanding is that it is grain-feeding of cattle and maybe sheep (I haven't looked into sheep, yet), that increases the level of omega-6 dramatically, and that it is omega-6 that is the link to cancer. Even then, presumably you've got to eat a lot of it, so I am not denegrading grain-fed beef as long as you realise the issue and compensate? Does that make sense? I'm not an expert.

If what I have said is correct then this news is just another dangerous, oversimplfied and attention grabbing piece of mis-information, like BSE. My understanding with BSE is that Dexter's have never had a case, and also that grass-fed cattle have never had a case (please tell me if you think I'm wrong because that is what is being stated on the web and in books, and I intend to quote it).

But if turned around, it could be an opportunity. Imagine, if on Radio Four this morning they had announced that eating meat from grain-fed animals is linked to cancer, but eating meat from grass-fed animals is good for you. That would be nearer the truth so it what I believe they should have said. When it comes to grass-fed, smaller size is critical, so that would be another boost for Dexter's either directly or indirectly in them being used to downsize other breeds?

Jo Kemp · Post by **Jo Kemp** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:03 pm

I'm no expert either but 'they' said that 1/4lbs of red meat eaten per day is too much for women and the breast cancer risk .... I am sure the grass fed bit would counter this but who do we get to put that view and quickly?
I reckon that ALL health scare type reports are over simplified!
Jo

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:48 pm

The main point to bear in mind is that ALL food is scary stuff, everyone who has been eating food has already died or is going to die. The amount of clout we could possibly weild in the media market will be unlikely to make a difference on its own. It needs combined efforts of lots of factions to have any effect. To a certain extent we have had so many food scares in the last 20 years that the public is becoming immune to them, and increasingly doubts any advice offered. Slow steady campaigns are in my opinion more likely to have a lasting influence than "flash in the pan" sensations.

Duncan
ps What is most of the South American beef we all love to hate fed?

Woodmagic · Post by **Woodmagic** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:03 pm

If we listened to the experts we would be left with very little to eat, with one item after another listed as dangerous. Fortunately, it is only a matter of months before other experts arrive with proof that the same item is advantageous for our health. I believe it is true that any food eaten in excess can prove detrimental.
It is the case that the Dexter has never had a case of BSE, my understanding is that this is due to their carrying a gene or genes which provide immunity, just as some people are not subject to going down with it. It has to be borne in mind that a proportion of Dexters undoubtedly did eat the suspect bone meal feed.
There have been arguments that organic beef producers had avoided BSE, but I don’t believe any proof has ever surfaced. The only certainty is that the Dexter, Irish Moile, and Kerry are the only breeds never to have had a case, although some of these will undoubtedly have been fed quite a quantity of concentrates.
I wonder why all three are Irish origin?

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:02 pm

I have taken 99% of my information from the USA where I suppose it is a bigger issue than here due to feedlots. And this information tells me that grass-fed beef is good for you and has loads of CLA which is anti-cancer. Nobody says that mackerel is bad for you, so why grass-fed meat? It's benefits are for the same reason and if my six monthly blood tests are correct, which I think I have mentioned before, it works. My doctor thinks I eat loads of mackerel, and I do, except that the ones I eat have four legs, go moo and eat grass.

I totally agree that anything to excess will have a sting in the tail.

Re BSE, maybe it is the luck of the Irish?

Argentinian beef is grass-fed I believe, or most of it at least.

Rob R · Post by **Rob R** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:54 pm

You can find a link between drinking water & cancer, if you look hard enough. As a diabetic I have had comflicting dietary advice over 20 years as to what is good for my health... (from the same people). What was good became bad, and now it is good again. The younger ones are the worst, as they are fresh out of medical school & think everything in life is textbook. They don't know, they only think.

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:26 am

I can't help thinking that if we had something really disastrous (like, heaven forbid, another world war) the collective mind would move away from fretting over food scares and have to concentrate on more basic survival. Also it would be highly beneficial if scientists refrained from trotting out every single little result they think they have got in the hope of extra funds to keep them in clover it would be much better for everyone.

Sylvia (who remembers when lashings of rich cream and thickly buttered toast was the aim, not the death of you)

happy hollidays · Post by **happy hollidays** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:37 am

Clive, I remember last winter and the scare mongering about bird flu. They expected a wide spread of the disease within two weeks after a swan was found and blow me down nothing ! Would it not be the golden opportunity for someone as highly regarded as yourself to have your say on radio 4. There is an awful lot of free publicity to be gained for Dexters and your new website. I would think a high proportion of their listeners would welcome the opinions and knowledge that you have. Just a thought..... Estelle

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:22 am

I would agree with Estelle, a good oportunity for someone eloquent to get some air time. I remember encouraging someone by the name of Sylvia to respond to unhelpful publicity Dexters had had and the next thing was an article in paper complete with photos etc. Well worth being brave enough to go out to the public rather than restricting our message to those already converted.

One small point from all this stuff on Grass Fed Beef though, as I mentioned recently almost all South American beef is grass fed, so we need to be sure to put another strong point in favour of home grown Dexter so we are not inadvertantly making the case for Brazil and Argentina.

Duncan

Woodmagic · Post by **Woodmagic** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:01 pm

I agree with Estelle and Duncan, we do need to concentrate on Dexter beef, and not inadvertently include Brazil and Argentine, but if somebody could be persuaded to speak out publicly at such a propitious moment, it could be ideal promotion,. How about it Clive, I believe you could make out an excellent case, and give the site a boost.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:21 pm

Nice idea but the truth is I can't remember whether it was the news or Radio 4 "Today" program and I'm not expert enough. I can't see anything on the Radio 4 web site referring to it so I don't think there's much point in doing anything on this occasion. But fingers crossed for tomorrow, whichever way it goes, Sat Bains choose Dexter Beef to represent Great Britain, whether he wins or not that's brilliant.

Good luck Sat. We'll all be glued to the set at 6.30 BBC2 Friday 6th April.

106-1100209741 · Post by **106-1100209741** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:23 pm

A bit late with this post but being environmentally friendly and highlighting the relative lack of food miles travelled by our Dexter beef as opposed to the amount South American beef has to travel to get to our plates would be favourable?

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:46 am

South American beef; I believe it may not be 100% grass-finished (ie. they do feed some grain). Also, their pesticide laws may be lax so may have residues (insecticides, antibiotics etc.). Animal welfare is generally not an issue there. I ate Argentinian beef while down there and it was very good and very cheap. Also loved their cheeses, salamis, bread......boy, did I love the food in Latin America! :laugh:

Rob R · Post by **Rob R** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 2:40 pm

The difference between S. American beef & home-reared, grass fed [organic/extensive] Dexter beef is that the former may claim to be something (and maybe even have a bit of paper to verify it) but the latter gives you the chance to visit your beef in the field, speak to the producer directly & ask anything you want (any producer with nothing to hide would welcome this) and it is this, I believe, that we should stress when promoting our beef. The best assurance scheme you can have is direct contact between producer & consumer.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 4:37 pm

I agree with all that's been said.

Rob - Good point. I've put something to that effect on the DBO web site on the map page, but I will emphasise the fact that people MAY be able to actually visit the farm and see for themselves, when I've got time.