Chicken compared to red meat

Almost 70 years ago a Swiss accordion player created the “Duck Dance.” A few decades later, a German band performed the song at an Oktoberfest celebration but couldn’t find a duck costume. They dressed the dancer as a chicken instead, and the world-famous “Chicken Dance” was born. It soon became a favorite activity at sporting events and birthday parties worldwide.

Whilechickendancingisgreat for your health, when it comes to keeping your lousy LDL cholesterol in check, chicken may not be a risk-free choice. Recent research found that you should be mindful of the amount and type of red and white meat you consume. A study of 113 people revealed that thosewho atemeat— evenskinless, leanpoultry— had a higher level of lousy cholesterol than people who eschewed (and didn’t chew) any meat.

But that doesn’t mean you might aswell eat steak! Red meat contains much higher levels of inflammation-causing proteins, mainly carnitine, than chicken. For example, 4 ounces of beefsteak has up to 162 milligrams of carnitine; 4 ounces of chicken breast has 5 milligrams. When your gut bacteria, and subsequently your body, process these proteins they create trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), which is linked to kidney dysfunction, increased risk of stroke and heart attack, impotence, cancer and memory dysfunction.

So skip red/processed meats and, if you eat animal proteins, stick with skinless, lean poultry as a side dish, and enjoy sea trout andsalmon. Focus on vegetables, fruits, legumes andwhole grains. That’s amealworthdancing for!

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is ChiefWellness Officer and Chair ofWellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare. com.