Red meat, processed meat and cancer

The World Health Organization has classified processed meats including ham, bacon, salami and frankfurts as a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) which means that there’s strong evidence that processed meats cause cancer. Eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancer. Red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork, has been classified as a Group 2A carcinogen which means it probably causes cancer.

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Did you know that eating more than 700 grams (raw weight) of red meat a week increases your risk of bowel cancer? Or that the risk of developing bowel cancer goes up 1.18 times for every 50 grams of processed meat eaten per day?

Current research shows that there are certain chemicals in red and processed meats – both added and naturally occurring – that cause these foods to be carcinogenic. For example, when a chemical in red meat called haem is broken down in the gut, N-nitroso chemicals are formed and these have been found to damage the cells that line the bowel, which can lead to bowel cancer. These same chemicals also form when processed meat is digested. In addition, the nitrite and nitrate preservatives used to preserve processed meat produce these N-nitroso chemicals and can lead to bowel cancer.

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What’s the difference between processed and red meat?

Processed meat includes ham, bacon, salami, and sausages. Red meat includes all fresh, minced, and frozen beef, pork and lamb.

Fresh white meat, such as chicken and fish, are not linked with an increased risk of cancer.

Become an earth and animal activist

The best way to persuade others to adopt humane and responsible lifestyles is to set a good example. Think realistically about how you’re going to fit environmental and animal activism into your life. You do not want to overextend yourself in a blaze of glory, only to burn out in six months. Think carefully about how you’re going to schedule activism into your daily routine so that it will become a part of your life and not an intrusion.

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Everyday activism

Practice earth and animal activism at home, at work and in your community. Making a difference for the earth and animals can be as easy as posting messages on Facebook and blogs and participating in conversations relevant to your passion. Use your particular talents to bring positive changes for the planet and its animals.

Earth and animal activists are people who see the need for change and devote their time to doing something about it. They are driven by passion and a vision for a better future for animals and the environment. Whatever your reason for wanting to become an earth and animal activist, you have the ability to do so no matter your age, your means or your background. It’s people like you, people who believe they have the power to make a difference, who end up bringing remarkable change for the planet and its animals.

Earth and animal activists are passionate enough to believe they can make change happen if they work hard enough to find a solution. While many people might become stalled when faced with the question, “How much good can one individual do?”, activists believe that one dedicated and persistent person can make a difference for the earth and its animals.

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Getting started

Figure out what earth and animal issue(s) you are most passionate about. Passion often comes from a sudden realization that changes your life forever. Once the realization hits you, it is what will stoke the embers of your earth and animal activism, even at the lowest points when you sometimes feel like giving up. Once you are aware of something in the world that you believe needs changed, that awareness will motivate you constantly and cause you to see the need everywhere, bringing a sense of responsibility with it.

Things you can do:

1. Follow and support organizations on social media. Help spread the word about animal and environmental issues by sharing posts, links and photos.

2. Sign online earth and animal petitions.

3. Become carbon neutral by offsetting your carbon footprint. Carbon offsetting means that you donate money to projects that reduce CO2 emissions.

4. Purchase eco-friendly and cruelty-free cosmetics, clothing and household products.

5. Wear pro earth and pro animal T-shirts.

6. Display earth and animal bumper stickers on your car.

7. Reduce or eliminate animal products from your diet.

8. Boycott animal entertainment.

9. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

10. Shop previously owned items - shop locally.

The Importance of a Balanced Macronutrient Ratio for a Healthy Metabolism

Every physiological process in the human body requires energy to function. The energy is produced from calories, or units of energy, which the body extracts from carbohydrates, protein and fats. These nutrients work in synergy to fuel your body’s vital health and levels of physical performance.

Every second there are thousands of chemical reactions occurring within the body that require the correct ratio and amount of these nutrients, vitamins, minerals and water. If there is an imbalance or deficiency in any of these areas, your metabolism will be unable to function as it should and this will effect your body’s ability to perform the way you want it to.

A healthy metabolism is the key to good health. When your metabolism is unable to function as it should, disease follows. Your metabolism can either work for you, or against you, depending on what you eat, when you eat it and how much of it you eat.