You may have heard on the news that, according to Harvard Medical Researchers, eating red meat is now… bad for you. CNN’s health.com had a detailed article by Anne Harding listing all the cons of eating red meat, even several promoting a vegetarian diet. What was missing from the article, however, was any mention of the potential benefits of meat in general and red meat in particular. This brings up an interesting question: Is the report and research suggesting that red meat is bad for you, actually an attempt to justify and legitimize a vegetarian or vegan diet?

What did the “experts” say?

Let’s look at what the “experts” were quoted as saying in the health.com article by Anne Harding, March 13, 2012:

“Our message is to try to reduce the red meat consumption to less than two to three servings per week,” says lead author An Pan, Ph.D., a research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston. “We don’t want everyone to be a vegetarian,” Pan says, though he adds that avoiding processed red meat altogether may be a good idea. “It’s better to go with unprocessed products and plant-based foods.”

Interesting, so Dr. Pan does not want everyone to be a vegetarian and the study was not designed to promote a vegetarian diet. Yet, Dr. Dean Ornish, M.D. is quoted by the health.com article as saying: “…a plant-based diet provides a “double benefit” in that it reduces a person’s exposure to the harmful substances in meat while also providing valuable nutrients [emphasis added by Taoism Examiner]. “There are literally hundreds of thousands of protective substances that you find in fruits and vegetables and whole grains and legumes and soy products that prevent disease,” says Ornish, who wrote an editorial accompanying the study”.

Dr. Robert Ostfeld, M.D. added this concise statement: “If you eat more red meat, on average, you may be eating fewer fruits and vegetables, so you’re getting the bad things from the red meat and you’re not getting the good things from the fruits and vegetables,” says Ostfeld, who did not participate in the study. “My preference is for people to have as little red meat as they can, and I think it’s ideal to avoid red meat [emphasis added by Taoism Examiner].”

Are they promoting a vegetarian diet?

The purpose of the study as proven by the researchers own comments appears to be to promote a vegetarian or vegan diet. If the research was intended to show the harmful effects of “over eating” red meat then the emphasis would have solely been placed on that theory, however, by laying the claim that people would be well served to avoid red meat and meat entirely, the true premise is revealed.

Truth about Meat especially Red Meat

According to Taoism and its 6,000 year record of success, meat is an essential component in a person’s diet. The problem is not meat per say, but the improper portion size and preparation of meat. When prepared and consumed properly meat actually enhances a person’s health and improves the vital organs and systems. A Vegetarian diet according to Taoism is just as unhealthy and unnatural for humans as an all meat diet.

Let’s have a look at what red meat is good for and how to properly prepare and consume it.

According to Dr. Stephen Chang (Tao of Balanced Diet, p. 113) , we must “eat meat if your body needs the high energy level that only animal protein can supply.” So unless you are meditating 16+ hours per day and living a life of zero physical output or labor than you must eat meat. The problem with meat is not from meat itself, however, the problems are the result from added stimulants and growth hormones which are widely used by producers of the meat sold in most stores. The second problem is from the viruses and diseases that exist in the blood of the animals, the additives and diseases are detrimental to our health ONLY if we consume them.

First, we must buy meat that is natural or organic preferably from trustworthy farms or stores that have high integrity with the farms they purchase from. Examples, Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s or even Publix Supermarkets “Greenwise” label. Buying from natural and organic farmers is only the first step. The second step involves properly cleaning, preparing and cooking the meat (Tao of Balanced Diet, by Dr. Chang).

1. Place the lean meat (3-4 oz., per person) in a shallow dish and cover with water, soak the meat for several hours changing the water as the blood is soaked out of the tissues. Remember the harmful toxins and germs are only in the blood.
2. When the water no longer turns pink, drain the water again, and slice the meat very thinly removing as much fat as possible.
3. Return the meat to the shallow dish and cover the meat with strong alcohol (Vodka or Whisky etc…). This process will remove any parasites and remaining germs from the meat. You can also add your favorite spices to this marinade. Marinate the meat in the alcohol/spice mixture for at least 30 minutes.
4. Cook the meat quickly at high temperatures without burning, always cook well-done, no pink flesh remaining.

If you notice in steps 1 & 2 it is recommended to buy only lean meat and then to trim as much fat from the meat as possible. This is because animal fat especially beef fat is extremely difficult for the body to digest. In fact beef fat was used for many years in factories to coat the machinery, since it does not melt or break down until it is heated to over 600 degrees Fahrenheit. When fat is consumed, it thickens the blood and clogs the arteries and organs, the same is true for saturated animal and vegetable fats! So yes, vegetarians can have the same problems with fat in their blood as people who eat too much meat. Second notice, the amount of meat suggested is only 3-4 oz. per person, this is within a 24 hour period, not per meal.

Are there Benefits to eating Red Meat?

Most Definitely!!!

According to FaXiang Hou, Master of Qigong, Traditional Chinese Medicine and author of “Unleashing the Power of Food”, Red Meat (Beef) has the following benefits:

• Nourishes the blood
• Replenishes vital energy
• Strengthens the spleen and nourishes the stomach
• Strengthens the bones and muscles
• Promotes the circulation of body fluid to relive swelling

According to Dr. Maoshing, Ni, Ph.D, C.A., author of “The Tao of Nutrition”, in addition to the above benefits he also lists:

• Tonifies Qi (energy) & blood
• Dispels dampness

As you can see even beef or red meat can be beneficial if consumed in moderation while being properly prepared and cooked.

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