White Meat

[Kokomodo]

I am trying to sort out the benefit (or, detriment) of white meat in regard to liver health. There are many advocates of a plant based diet who will say that all meats (red, white, fish) are detrimental in some form. There are, of course, advocates of low carb diets who will say that all meat (including red meats and saturated fats) are healthy. Finally, I'm aware of some studies that indicate that eating white meat is inversely related to risk for liver disease (hazard ratio less than unity.) However, those studies are observational, and, it is difficult to know if they mean "white meat compared to read meat" or "white meat compared to no meat at all."

In general settings, my understanding is that balanced vegetarian diets have hazard ratios similar to healthy (emphasis on "healthy") omnivore diets over the long term.

Most of the posts on this site (FLF) emphasizing any particular diet followed include a statement to the effect that "I lost {insert significant number here} pounds." It is difficult, I think, to disentangle the toxic/non-toxic effect of any particular diet from weight loss in the range of 20% of ones baseline weight.

So, my question...all other things being equal (I know...nearly impossible in nutrition research) is white meat detrimental or beneficial or neutral to liver health? What about health in general?

[nash2 Partner]

Well Koko, your review is impressive. The answer, as you know is probably it depends. You have experts on all sides. We think about it is a process way. There is no "perfect" answer so we try to minimize inflammation and the work load we ask the body to do. Sufficient protein is critical so we choose white meats as less inflammatory than red. We choose olive oil rather than saturated fats or seed oils. We choose a wide variety of plants for fiber and phytochemicals but in the end we all have our own chemistry that may be a little different so becoming aware of how you respond to different things is important. Not a real answer but maybe a little perspective.

Wayne

[islandanonymous]

I've never heard that white meat can be detrimental to liver health. All I can say is, I've tried about every way of eating that's possible, and spent at least a year doing each way of eating. I was vegetarian for many years, vegan for a year or so, pescatarian, a meat-eater (which I am now, only less of it), and I spent about a year eating keto. I've come to the conclusion that moderation in all things is best for me and I have cut down on my portions, especially at dinner. I get more exercise now. I gained about 10 pounds that I need to lose.

[Unclemud]

If by white meat you mean chicken, turkey, etc. And they are fed corn it is harder for your liver to break down the protein. Corn protein is a block chain amino acid( 6 carbon molecules in a circle) as apposed to pea protein which is a branch chain amino acid. The quality of your food is as important. If you are going to eat meat from the agr industry, it should be pasture raised and organic( your liver has to remove the pesticides and herbicides). Or you are still harming your liver. There's a lot more to it, but that should give you an idea of a couple reasons why meat is hard on your liver

[Kokomodo in reply to Unclemud]

Interesting. Thank you for your reply. Do you have a link or references discussing differences in protein? I've seen discussions of omega 6/3 ratio changes in grain fed vs. pasture fed animals, but I am having trouble finding information on changes in animal protein due to diet. Or, perhaps I misunderstood you.

[Unclemud in reply to Kokomodo]

Okay, I think it was Brian Clement or Robert Lustig who mentioned that corn protein was a Block chain amino acid . And I have heard a Dr., I believe it was Dr. Clapper say that the fat in your arteries is the fat that you eat and he was referring to chicken fat. And I used to take the skin off my chicken breasts thinking that I was getting a nice lean protein, but the meat has as much cholesterol as the skin. Something else to watch or limit. When I found out about corn being a culprit in liver conditions I did some research on protein and it can take hours to find the info, but it's on the web. And there are still ongoing research into the different essential amino acids( protein) and the effects they have on us. Mostly cancer research. Anyway those are a few doctors who's wisdom has helped me.

[Hidden]

I eat tons of lean meats and I cured my Nafld