A new study in the journal Nutrients reveals that 12% of Americans are eating around 50% of the country's beef.  How much is that? Well, beef consumption hit a record 30 billion pounds in 2021 — so that means 39,600,000 people are downing about 378 pounds of cow in one form or another every year.

I just want to say: "Whoa."

Here's why beef (and other red meats) are not as healthy a choice as other proteins: 

• Beef alters your intestinal microbiome. It contains carnitine and saturated fat, a combination that changes the way your gut bacteria function. That, in turn, leads to the production of an inflammatory mediator called TMA that increases your risks for heart disease, stroke, dementia, and cancer. Two other metabolites — gamma-butyrobetaine and crotonobetaine — are also produced in the gut in response to eating beef; they also increase the risk of clogged arteries, dementia, and more.

• One study found that red meat was a level 1 carcinogen. That makes it just as risky as cigarettes and alcohol.

• An 8-ounce rib eye steak delivers 18 grams of artery clogging, heart-damaging saturated fat. The American Heart Association says that on a 2,000-calories-a-day diet, you don't want more than 13 grams a day. I say keep it as far below that as you can.

Your best option is to swap out beef for fish such as salmon and ocean trout, and skinless poultry. You'll tamp down inflammation and live longer, younger.