We’ve all heard it before: eating too much red meat isn’t great for your health. But now, scientists have finally figured out why it's connected to colorectal cancer—and their discovery could lead to new ways to treat the disease.
Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand.
The Red Meat and Cancer Link, Explained
Red meat—like beef, lamb, and pork—is full of good stuff like protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins. But when eaten too often, it can raise your risk of colorectal cancer, which affects the colon or rectum. Scientists have known about the link for years, but until recently, they weren’t sure exactly how red meat causes cancer.
Now, researchers from Singapore have found the answer.
It All Comes Down to Iron
The scientists discovered that the iron in red meat plays a big role in helping cancer grow. Here’s how:
- Inside our cells, there’s a special enzyme called telomerase. It helps cells divide by maintaining the protective “caps” at the end of our chromosomes, called telomeres.
- Normally, as we age, our telomeres get shorter, and eventually, our cells stop dividing—that’s just part of growing old.
- But cancer cells don’t follow the rules. They often reactivate telomerase, allowing them to divide endlessly and form tumors.
Here’s where red meat comes in. The researchers found that the iron in red meat activates a protein in our body called Pirin, which in turn switches telomerase back on in cancer cells. That lets the cells keep multiplying—even when they should’ve stopped. This process speeds up the growth of colorectal cancer.
A New Hope: Blocking Cancer’s Growth
The good news? The scientists didn’t just discover the problem—they may have found a solution too.
They tested a small molecule called SP2509, which can block iron from activating Pirin. In lab experiments, this molecule stopped telomerase from turning back on in cancer cells. As a result, the cancer cells stopped growing.
This could become a whole new way to treat colorectal cancer, especially in people who have high levels of iron in their body. It’s still early days, but the research team is optimistic.
Why It Matters
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and a leading cause of cancer deaths. Age, family history, and lifestyle habits like smoking or drinking can raise your risk—but diet plays a big role too.
Thanks to this new research, we now have a clearer picture of how red meat affects our cells and why moderation really does matter. And more importantly, there may be new treatments on the horizon that could save lives.
Source:
https://www.nccs.com.sg/news/research/scientists-discover-how-excessive…
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38885349/
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