Health Tip: Too Much Red Meat May Increase Your Body's Biological Age

A diet with too much red meat and not enough fruit and vegetables can increase one's "biological age" and cause other health issues, according to a new study by the University of Glasgow.

Biological age refers to how old a human seems versus chronological age, which is how old a person actually is.

   Researchers determined that a moderate increase in serum phosphate levels due to red meat consumption, combined with a poor overall diet, increases biological age.

The worst affected group in the study were "deprived males."  The effects were not apparent among less deprived males or females "especially in the context of a more balanced diet."

Another problem? High phosphate levels in deprived males was related to reduced kidney function and "even underlying mild to moderate chronic kidney disease."

   Professor Paul Shiels explained: "Strikingly, many of the subjects had kidney function indicative of incipient or early onset chronic kidney disease. It has also not escaped our attention that red meat product quality and preservation may have an impact upon the diets of the most deprived and their associated health."

Previous research has already linked high phosphate levels with higher cardiovascular mortality risk, premature vascular ageing and kidney disease.

The takeaway? Enjoy a steak or hamburger once in a while, but also make sure to eat your fruits and vegetables. 

The research was led by the Institute of Cancer Sciences in collaboration with the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. Accelerated Ageing and Renal Dysfunction