Since 1952, the Western world has dutifully followed dietary recommendations linking saturated fat to heart disease. Since this initial “finding,” avoiding saturated fat has become synonymous with a healthy diet, much to the detriment of our population—especially women. The constant regurgitation about saturated fat and its supposed ability to kill you at any moment has created mass hysteria, leading more people to follow vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian diets than ever before.

I can always appreciate those who eat this way for the sake of animals, but as for those who do so as a way to “take control of their health,” I would argue they have been brainwashed by financially driven scientists and the fanatical anti-fat brigade.

As a result of these flawed conclusions permeating society, we now have a female population experiencing more mental health issues than ever, the highest prevalence of PCOS in human history, and widespread malnourishment. While I won’t claim this is solely due to vegetarianism—of course, meat-eating women can also experience these issues—my point highlights the prevalence of these conditions among women who either refuse to eat meat or do not include it as a staple in their diet.

My recommendation, which I will justify below, is for women to ensure that meat, especially lean red meat, becomes a priority in their diet, ideally consumed at least once a day. But why?

Firstly, let me address the common misconception: no, cholesterol from meat will not give you heart disease. In fact, cholesterol is the precursor to hormone production, meaning if you don’t consume enough through your diet, you won’t have a balanced hormone ratio. For more on this, check out my previous article.

So, why should women eat more meat? As mentioned above, adequate cholesterol is necessary for balanced hormone production. Without enough of this lipid, you may not produce sufficient steroid hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone). One of the key features of PCOS is an imbalanced steroid hormone ratio. Interestingly, PCOS cases spiked in the 1960s, soon after Ancel Keys’ study was published and promoted across Western nations. Whether you consider this a coincidence or see a deeper connection is entirely up to you.

Furthermore, PCOS is strongly linked to insulin sensitivity. In a diet now known as SAD (Standard American Diet), we consume more refined carbohydrates than ever before, increasing the likelihood of PCOS in those who are genetically predisposed.

Returning to the point, women who consume less than average levels of red meat report lower moods, higher anxiety, and a greater prevalence of mental health conditions. Cholesterol is a precursor to many hormones, including cortisol and aldosterone, which regulate mood in different ways. Since the 1960s, we’ve witnessed a significant increase in mental health issues among Western women, with rates of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders skyrocketing. In my view, the decline in the consumption of nutrient-dense, animal-based foods is fundamental to this epidemic. The shift towards low-fat, plant-based diets has left women malnourished in several areas, including fatty acid balance, B vitamins, and haem iron.

Secondly, women who eliminate meat from their diet are more likely to develop deficiencies in protein, iron, and zinc. Insufficient intake of these nutrients can significantly affect a woman’s menstrual cycle. Women may experience irregular or missed periods due to hormonal imbalances from a lack of protein, and deficiencies in iron can lead to heavier bleeding and more severe PMS symptoms.

The long-term consequences of these deficiencies can result in serious health issues such as osteoporosis, anaemia, infertility, and a weakened immune system. While it is possible to avoid these consequences through proper supplementation, many women either do not supplement correctly or do not supplement at all.

While I completely respect the ethical considerations behind vegetarianism, from a health and wellbeing standpoint, women should not eliminate meat from their diet without understanding the potential implications and taking preventative measures. My recommendation for women on a plant-based diet is to ensure they consume all necessary vitamins and minerals. This typically involves supplementing BCAAs, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Plant-based eaters should also consider omega-3 fatty acid supplements to maintain a balanced lipid ratio. Lastly, regularly monitoring your menstrual cycle is crucial to ensure you’re not missing out on essential nutrients, checking for irregularities, heaviness, and PMS symptoms.