The Rise in Leukemia and Lymphoma: How Our Meat Choices May Be Contributing
You’ve probably noticed the option to buy grass-fed versus grain-fed beef, but does it really make a difference? The answer is yes — and here’s why. It’s crucial to ensure that the meat you consume is clean, free from pesticides, and sourced from healthy, well-raised animals. The distinction between 100% grass-fed and grain-fed meat matters more than you might think.
In the U.S., much of the grain-fed beef is raised on genetically modified (GMO) grains, such as corn and soy. Unfortunately, these crops are frequently sprayed with glyphosate, the main ingredient in the herbicide Roundup. This has been linked to an increase in cases of lymphoma and lymphatic cancer — and here's why.
Both corn and soy have been genetically engineered to tolerate glyphosate, allowing farmers to spray large amounts of the herbicide without harming the crop. This is a common practice in monocropping — where vast areas are planted with just one crop (in this case, corn or soy). The intention is to control weeds and prevent them from competing with the crops for sunlight, water, and nutrients. While this approach may be efficient in the short term, it comes with a hefty price, particularly when it comes to our health.
Animals that consume GMO corn and soy accumulate these toxins in their fat cells. This brings up an interesting point — could the biblical advice to avoid eating fat be connected to the fact that toxins are fat-soluble and accumulate in fat tissue? Regardless, here’s what happens next:
When we consume meat from animals fed these GMO grains, the glyphosate-laden fats are broken down in our small intestine and packed into chylomicrons. These chylomicrons are too large to enter the bloodstream directly, so they are absorbed into the lacteals (tiny lymphatic vessels) in the intestinal villi. From here, they travel through the lymphatic system, causing potential harm, before entering the bloodstream via the left subclavian vein. Only after this widespread distribution do the toxins make their way to the liver, where they are finally processed and detoxified.
This is a significant issue because fat-soluble toxins are distributed throughout the body before the liver can filter them out. In contrast, carbohydrates, proteins, water-soluble vitamins, and most medications are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and transported straight to the liver via the hepatic portal vein for detoxification.
To summarize, toxins in fat are absorbed through the lymphatic system and circulatory system, spreading throughout the body before being filtered by the liver. With the rising cases of lymphoma, it’s more important than ever to make informed choices about the meat we consume. GMO corn and soy-fed animals contribute to this harmful cycle, and we, as consumers, are directly affected. That’s why choosing 100% grass-fed meat or sourcing from farmers who provide non-GMO grains is essential for our health and well-being.
Bee Well,
Brandon Farless
