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Healthy aging and longevity

Red meat, TMAO, and your heart

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A substance called trimethylamine N-oxide, which is produced when your body digests red meat, may raise the risk of cardiovascular problems.

"Although we already knew that red meat has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and premature death in general, we didn't understand the diverse mechanisms involved," says Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, the Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women's Health at Harvard Medical School. The research into TMAO might help to explain the biological pathways through which red meat may be influencing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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