http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_824147.html
Ananova:
Red meat molecule 'may cause health problems'
Eating red meat introduces a potentially dangerous non-human molecule into the
body tissues, new research has showed.
A study found that the molecule, a sugar only found in non-human mammals, is
absorbed into tissues such as blood vessels and secretory cells.
Tests showed that it can generate an immune response which might induce harmful
inflammation.
The scientists have not ruled out a link with cancer and heart disease -
although they acknowledge that at present this is speculation.
To date, research has focused on the role of red meat saturated fats and
chemical products that arise from cooking.
The new study, led by scientists at the University of California in San Diego,
USA, is the first to investigate dietary absorption of a cell-surface sugar
called N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc).
Humans are genetically unable to produce the molecule, which occurs naturally
at high levels in lamb, pork and beef. Only very low or undetectable amounts of
the sugar are found in fruits, vegetables, hen's eggs, poultry and fish.
Laboratory studies and tests on three human volunteers - all members of the
research team - confirmed that ingested Neu5Gc is absorbed into human tissues.
They also demonstrated that the body may view the molecule as a non-human
invader and launch an antibody-based immune response against it.
Although the sugar does not occur naturally in humans, other researchers have
found traces of it in human cancer tumours.
Story filed: 22:04 Monday 29th September 2003
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Tom
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