Ka-quarter a week won’t cause cancer

 

Many medics seem to have a different opinion on the

perception that meat causes cancer.

A few days ago, I had the chance to dig into a really delicious hamburger. Meat lovers like me rarely go easy on this delicacy. The memory of a well-done, meaty meal served with the right accompaniment and washed down with a chilled drink always leaves a lasting impression.

How can something so good be so bad for health? Well, contrary to popular belief, many medics seem to have a different opinion on the perception that meat causes cancer.

 “Cancer, in most cases, is just bad luck... not really that you are eating too much red meat, white meat or drinking less water,” a respected oncologist said, adding that, “You can go ahead and eat the meat, whether red or white – just do it with moderation and don’t forget to exercise.”

Dr Gladwel Kiarie, an oncologist based at Nairobi Hospital, believes that people should eat just enough and exercise right – it doesn’t matter the kind of meat one eats. Dr Kiarie was speaking at a high-profile scientific meeting: the infectious disease symposium at the hospital, which attracted attendance from the medical field.

 An online nutritional site cancercouncil.com.au, recommends an intake of between 65 grams and 100 grams of cooked red meat, three to four times a week.

Now, I won’t say it is annoying. But isn’t it hilarious when someone walks into the silence of a room (say a class for instance) with a two-litre bottle of water, or when a friend wags a finger at you for eating that mahamri because they are on a diet that allows an intake of only two per cent carbohydrates?

Ladies do it differently. They snack on vegetable samosas every so often instead of sitting down for a heavy meal. In the evening, they’ll proudly let you know that they’re heading to the gym, subtly by getting out their sports gear when it is time to go home. I have always wondered how how come their midriffs refuse to yield despite the diet and exercise regimen.

And have you noticed the rising appetite for outdoor activities. Last month, I joined some friends on a hike up Ngong Hills to burn some calories.

I honestly think it is good that people are keen on their health more than ever before. But could we be too anxious; fretting over what matters less as we falter on what’s right? Needless to say, the of zeal soon fades.

According to Dr Kiarie, harmful lifestyle habits like smoking,  taking of too much alcohol, drug abuse and indulging on animal protein have often been associated with cancer. And while this could be true, the only direct cause of cancer has been determined to be viruses such as HPV (human papilloma virus) which causes cervical cancer.

“The rest have not been directly linked to the disease but have a tendency to lead to cancer. In many occasions, cancer occurs as a result of random mutations in the body. And that is just bad luck,” Dr Kiarie stated.

Whatever food one eats, if taken in moderation, followed by regular exercise as well as proper water intake, can guarantee a healthy lifestyle, rather than writing off carbs and red meat. That’s Dr Kiarie's point.