New Study Says Carnitine In Red Meat Causes Cardiovascular Disease - It's Wrong
By Michael Mooney, May, 2013

A study, published in the journal Nature Medicine determined that carnitine, found in great quantities in red meat, is metabolized by intestinal bacteria into trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), an organic compound that promotes atherosclerosis.

At first look it appeared that this might be another reason that some data show that red meat eaters have more cardiovascular disease than vegetarians. (However, the data in this article shows that a more likely cause is grain-fed beef consumption.)

It also found that choline, found in large amounts in eggs and liver caused the same TMAO problem.

While the study looked interesting, it was solidly corrected on the WestonAPrice.org website.

Please see: http://www.westonaprice.org/blogs/cmasterjohn/2011/04/13/does-dietary-choline-contribute-to-heart-disease/

Then the notion that carnitine caused cardiovascular disease was corrected by the Alliance For Natural Health, with others concurring.

Please see:  http://www.anh-usa.org/latest-red-meat-study-doubly-flawed/

Then see Life Extension Foundation's write up, by clicking here.

And then see Chris Kresser's take on it at: http://chriskresser.com/red-meat-and-tmao-its-the-gut-not-the-meat.

And then read what Dr. Stephen DeFelice, the world authority on carnitine, said about the erroneous study by clicking here.

Finally, a finely detailed dismissal of the study by Bill Barrington can be viewed at: http://understandnutrition.com/2013/04/13/review-of-the-tmao-heart-disease-study/

Carnitine remains an important nutrient for long-term heart health.

Choline remain an important nutrient for healthy memory, especially as we age.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is in no way a substitute for the advice of a qualified medical doctor, registered dietitian or certified nutritionist. When you ask any health care professional to help you make decisions about your personal healthcare, I recommend that you show them the information you find here because they may not be aware of it and the scientific studies that support it. Appropriate medical therapy and the use of pharmaceutical or nutritional compounds should be tailored for the individual as no two individuals are alike. I do not recommend self-medicating with any compound as you should consult with a qualified medical doctor, preferably one who is knowledgeable about nutrition and complementary or functional medicine who can determine your individual situation. Any use of the information presented in this publication for personal medical therapy is done strictly at your own risk and no responsibility is implied or intended on the part of the contributing writers, or the publisher.