What you don't know can hurt you

Dear Reader, Some days I feel like a superhero dispelling health myths across the country. And there's one myth in particular that just keeps rearing its ugly head, like my own personal Lex Luthor. I'm talking about the ridiculous notion that red meat is bad for you. Yesterday, I tore into the latest example--a study claiming that red meat raises cancer risk. But today, I'm going to take this conversation a little further. And tell you why giving up meat is actually one of the worst mistakes you could make for your health. I'll start by directing your attention to the eye-opening results of a recent poll. It revealed that consumers really don't know much about the nutritional benefits of animal protein. A problem I come across in my practice each and every day. Now, in all fairness, this poll was commissioned by the American Meat Institute. And obviously they have a stake in spreading the word about animal protein (pardon the pun). But believe me when I say that the stakes are just as high where your health is concerned. So you should be just as concerned by this poll's discouraging findings. Like the fact that only 12 percent of consumers knew that animal products (like meat, chicken, eggs, and cheese) are the only natural dietary sources of vitamin B12. In fact, one in five actually thought that cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts) were the main natural source of B12. While 13 percent thought you get B12 from citrus fruits. I'm not saying you shouldn't eat those foods. Broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables are a terrific source of various nutrients. Most notably sulforaphanes, which help to balance hormones and fight cancer, among other things. But they don't contain a single milligram of B12. As you might remember, B12 keeps your levels of homocysteine-a major marker for cardiovascular risk--in check. And it's absolutely essential for a healthy heart. Not to mention a healthy nervous system. And, again, animal products are the only dietary sources of this essential nutrient.