Is Eating Red Meat Healthy? [Video]

Dr. Vikki Petersen discusses the unreliability of some research studies, highlighting a recent study claiming red meat and processed meat have no link to heart disease or cancer. She points out that these studies, funded by companies like McDonald’s and Coca-Cola through NutriRECS, have questionable credibility. Petersen compares this to similar misleading studies about sugar. She emphasizes the importance of discerning credible research and shares her commitment to providing health advice based on genuine science and clinical experience. Petersen encourages viewers to seek assistance if their health is not as they desire.

Transcript of the video

Hello, Dr. Vikki Petersen here. I want to talk to you today about studies. We hear a lot about research studies, and on the surface, it seems like if something is researched, it should be accurate. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth these days for many different reasons, and it’s really disheartening. This is my area of expertise—not that I’m a researcher, but as a clinician, I can definitely tell when a study doesn’t make sense.

I recently did a video on research about vitamin D where they claimed they used high doses of vitamin D, and it did no better than a placebo. It turned out they weren’t using high doses; they were using really small doses, which of course would do no better than a placebo. But the headlines were, “Don’t bother with your vitamin D.”

Similarly, a few months ago, a study came out turning American beliefs about red meat on their head, claiming that red meat and processed meat had no link to increased risk of heart disease or cancer. This goes against everything we’ve heard for a very long time. Interestingly, the day before the movie “Game Changers,” a plant-based documentary, was released, six studies supporting red meat were published by a company called NutriRECS. This company is funded by McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Cargill—companies not known for promoting healthy dietary habits.

The same company, NutriRECS, was responsible for numerous studies in 2017 claiming that sugar was totally fine for us, which is completely false. This same playbook of producing numerous studies that sound well-researched was used in 2017 for sugar and in 2019 for red meat. It’s disturbing.

Am I saying that having one piece of grass-fed beef is going to kill you or give you heart disease or cancer? No, of course not. But we need to look at trends and what should be an integral part of your diet versus something you consume occasionally, like sugar.

The recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine was funded by the International Life Sciences Institute, which sounds good but is funded by McDonald’s, Pepsi, and Coke. These companies create institutes or committees with impressive names to make their studies seem credible, but the funding sources reveal their true agenda.

Coca-Cola has done this for a long time, creating committees like the Technical Committee of Dietary Carbohydrates, which sounds credible but is funded by companies with vested interests in promoting sugar.

As a clinician, I aim to provide the truth as I know it, based on research and clinical experience. Over the years, my views have evolved as new evidence emerges. I’m not funded by anyone, so my only vested interest is in your health.

If your health is not the way you want it to be and you need assistance, please reach out. That’s why my team and I are here. We are building a new clinic in Florida and plan to open more clinics around the country to be more accessible.

If you want to give me a call, the number here is 408-733-0400. Let me know your thoughts. I welcome them, and I’ll talk to you soon.

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