An article in the
Archives of Internal Medicine published on March 23rd had a study in it that showed that people who ate the most red meat had a higher risk of overall death than those who ate the least red meat. Based on these results they determined
"Red and processed meat intakes were associated with modest increases in total mortality, cancer mortality, and cardiovascular disease mortality."
In response, the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom,
cautioned reporters and policymakers against "jumping to conclusions" in response to this study's statistical assumptions and vague measurements.
Sounds like a reasoned discussion doesn't it? Then if you're like me you look a little deeper and find that the
Center for Consumer Freedom (catchy name) is a "nonprofit organization with a stated mission to defend the right of adults and parents to choose what they eat, drink, and how they enjoy themselves." That's right. I should be able to decide what I eat and drink!
But if you keep reading you learn that the
Center for Consumer Freedom used to be known as the Guest Choice Network. The Guest Choice Network, allegedly working on behalf of consumers, got their initial start up money from Philip Morris and went on to receive additional funding from the manufacturers of Alliance Gambling, Harrah's casinos, Davidoff cigars, Anheuser-Busch as well as several meat companies including Bruss, Cargill Processed Meats and Standard Meats.
They have argued against Mothers Against Drunk Driving, smoking bans, pesticide controls, genetic engineering of food and antibiotic use in meat and poultry. They even have an
"alternative" calculator to determine how much fish you can eat without worrying about mercury. Of course their number is ten times higher than the EPA suggests, TEN TIMES! Just don't follow their advice when you're pregnant. They also lobby to keep the minimum wage low, and defend the payday loan industry.
Please note, I eat meat, I drink and I've smoked. I think I
should be able to make decisions for myself but how do I make decisions if the information is slanted against me? Yes, our Grandparents all ate eggs and meat but the eggs and meat that they ate were not irradiated, treated with antibiotics or full of mercury.
I don't think I'm the only one who would like to get nutrition and health information from a scientist instead of from a lobbying group that goes after facts by smearing individuals, scientists and organizations. In his own words Richard Berman (Executive Director of Public Affairs) "
Our offensive strategy is to shoot the messenger." Not argue the facts of the report, smear the reporter.
Just thought you'd want to know.
An article in the Archives of Internal Medicine published on March 23rd had a study in it that showed that people who ate the most red meat had a higher risk of overall death than those who ate the least red meat. Based on these results they determined
Check it out I am #19 on the list!!! [permalink] I know this is shameless self promotion, but I know I wouldn't have gotten on the list without Stupid Cancer.com and Matt Zachary.
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