View source for Embed:Animal protein risks

A review by Dr. Sofia Ochoa cites 42 studies showing that animal protein:<ref>Ochoa, MD, Sofia Pineda. “7 Ways Animal Protein Is Damaging Your Health.” Forks Over Knives, December 31, 2016. Accessed October 22, 2019. https://www.forksoverknives.com/animalproteindangers/.</ref>

* elevates hormone-insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which stimulates cell division and growth in both healthy and cancer cells and "has been consistently associated with increased {{jfa-highlight | cancer risk, proliferation, and malignancy}}"

* "results in us having higher circulating levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)," which "injures the lining of our vessels, creates inflammation, and facilitates the formation of {{jfa-highlight | cholesterol plaques}} in our blood vessels"

* causes the overproduction of the hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), which damages our blood vessels, can "lead to enlargement of the cardiac ventricle, and is associated with {{jfa-highlight | heart attacks, sudden death, and heart failure}}"

* can result in the {{jfa-highlight | overabsorption of heme iron}}, causing the conversion of other oxidants into highly reactive free radicals that "can damage different cell structures like proteins, membranes, and DNA" (heme iron "has also been associated with many kinds of {{jfa-highlight | gastrointestinal cancers}}")

* can result in a higher incidence of {{jfa-highlight | bone fractures}} because of animal protein's high concentrations of sulfur

* contributes to {{jfa-highlight | atherosclerosis}}—plaques of cholesterol that accumulate in the lining of our vessels; this condition is far less common on a vegan diet because absorbable cholesterol is not found in plants