Heart Disease and Red Meat

In the news now, April 2013, is a report out of Cleveland Clinic published in NATURE ref. It reports that eating red meat which increases levels of TMAO, a byproduct of certain gut bacteria acting on a protein, L-Carnitine (plus some other food elements), was associated with INCREASED heart disease rates. TMAO is only produced by certain bacteria which are found more in meat and fish eaters than in vegetarians. There was only one vegetarian in the study which is hardly representative for the group as a  whole. Vegetables evidently do not produce the bacteria that makes TMAO precursor, or at least not at significant amounts. This reference from a MD adds some clarity. Return soon as more information becomes available. Look at the date on this ref. Just of interest and some more background. ref

Of Interest: While L-Carnitine has to be converted in the gut by certain bacteria to form TMAO, fish contain already formed TMAO or pre-TMAO ingredient and in quite larger amounts than red meat. But, eating fish lowers cardiovascular disease risk, so what does this say about blaming L-Carnitine converting to TMAO? Is it the TMAO? Or some other associated factor in a red meat or the diet of red meat eaters? And what about fish oil supplements? article <good info with chart

Will consuming good bacteria prevent the TMAO conversion process?

This is just an association and there may very well be other factors working here. Meat and fish have larger amounts of saturated fatty acids plus more acid forming elements than is found in vegetables. Is this a factor?

Article  <This article questions some of Cleveland Clinics assumptions about TMAO, especially from L-carnitine. 

At issue may be the types of bacteria that make up the gut, not necessarily red meat or L-Carnitine. Thus, the value of Probiotics and correct diet to properly feed the growth of beneficial bacteria could be a critical factor.

This test is still waiting to be conducted. Choline in the diet also gets some of the blame for TMAO production. Lecithin, a popular supplement used for nerve functions and weight loss, also contains choline and is in the contributor category but the 1999 study referenced above did not find lecithin was a factor. There is obviouly more to this story and what influences TMAO levels play in heart disease. Here is latest from NIH Government agencies on TMAO. Precautionary approach is prudent unti...