Heme iron and cardiovascular disease

In summary, a research study found that there is an association between heme iron intake and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, this finding is based on observational studies and does not necessarily imply causation. The paraphrased statement from the film is an accurate portrayal of the study's findings, but it is important to consider other factors that may contribute to this association, such as saturated fats and cholesterol. The American Heart Association also notes that diets rich in red meat and processed meats have been linked to various health problems, but the exact components that cause these issues are still being researched.
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nomadreid
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Heme iron is claimed in a research study (cited in text) to be associated with a 27% increased risk of cardiovascular disease; is this credible?
In the "Results" section of the Abstract of https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23708150/, (due to a paywall, I get no further) there is the following "The dose-response RR of CHD for an increase in heme iron intake of 1 mg/day was 1.27" (CHD being coronary heart disease).
Is the paraphrasing in https://gamechangersmovie.com/dr-loomis-beef-with-mens-health-review-of-the-film/ of this result: "one additional milligram per day of heme iron — found exclusively in animal foods — is associated with a 27% increased risk of cardiovascular disease"? If so,
is such a percentage credible?
 
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  • #2
nomadreid said:
Summary:: Heme iron is claimed in a research study (cited in text) to be associated with a 27% increased risk of cardiovascular disease; is this credible?

In the "Results" section of the Abstract of https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23708150/, (due to a paywall, I get no further) there is the following "The dose-response RR of CHD for an increase in heme iron intake of 1 mg/day was 1.27" (CHD being coronary heart disease).
Is the paraphrasing in https://gamechangersmovie.com/dr-loomis-beef-with-mens-health-review-of-the-film/ of this result: "one additional milligram per day of heme iron — found exclusively in animal foods — is associated with a 27% increased risk of cardiovascular disease"? If so,
is such a percentage credible?

I think the paraphrasing you quote does accurately portray the findings from the article cited. However, it is important to note that the finding is an association and that correlation does not necessarily imply causation. The data analyzed in the paper all comes from observational studies not randomized controlled trials. There could be systematic differences between people who choose to eat more heme iron that contribute to the increased risk of CVD and heme iron is not necessarily the culprit. For example, foods rich in heme iron (primarily animal proteins) are also rich in saturated fats and cholesterol which also are thought to contribute to CVD. People who avoid animal proteins may also be more health conscious than the general population and thus have decreased risk of CVD because of other actions that are not directly connected to heme consumption. (Here's a nice article on some of the difficulties of performing research on linking nutrition to health outcomes: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/you-cant-trust-what-you-read-about-nutrition/).

I think it is pretty well established that diets rich in red meats and processed meats are associated with a variety of health problems (e.g. CVD and cancer). What exact components of these meats that cause the health problems is still an active area of research. For reference, here's what the American Heart Association has to say about the subject:

Dietary patterns rich in red meat have been associated with higher CVD incidence and mortality,58–62 and body mass index and waist circumference, as well.63,64 Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have documented a direct association between red meat intake and CVD incidence and mortality, although the magnitude of the association is less strong than that for processed meat.58,65,66 Substitution analyses based on large cohort studies found that the replacement of red and processed meat with alternative foods such as unprocessed poultry, fish, nuts, and legumes was associated with a lower risk of total and CVD mortality.62 The potential adverse effect of red meat on CVD risk has been attributed to a combination of factors, including saturated fat and heme iron content, and gut microbiota metabolism of l-carnitine and phosphatidylcholine.45,67,68

2021 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001031
 
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Likes Godot_, Oldman too, nomadreid and 2 others
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Thank you very much, Ygggdrasil
 

1. What is heme iron and how is it different from non-heme iron?

Heme iron is a type of iron found in animal-based foods, such as red meat, poultry, and seafood. It is different from non-heme iron, which is found in plant-based foods like beans, spinach, and fortified cereals. Heme iron is more easily absorbed by the body compared to non-heme iron.

2. How does heme iron affect cardiovascular disease?

Studies have shown that high intake of heme iron may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke. This is because heme iron can contribute to the production of free radicals, which can damage the lining of blood vessels and increase the risk of plaque buildup.

3. Can consuming heme iron be beneficial for cardiovascular health?

While some studies have shown a potential link between heme iron intake and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, other studies have shown that moderate intake of heme iron may have some benefits for cardiovascular health. It is important to note that these benefits may be due to other nutrients found in heme iron-rich foods, such as protein and B vitamins.

4. How much heme iron should be consumed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

There is no specific recommendation for heme iron intake to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is generally recommended to limit red meat consumption to no more than 3-4 servings per week and to choose lean cuts of meat. It is also important to balance heme iron intake with non-heme iron sources, such as leafy greens and legumes.

5. Are there any other factors that can affect the relationship between heme iron and cardiovascular disease?

Yes, there are other factors that can influence the effects of heme iron on cardiovascular health. These include individual differences in iron absorption and metabolism, as well as other lifestyle factors such as overall diet, physical activity, and smoking status. More research is needed to fully understand the role of heme iron in cardiovascular disease.

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