High Animal-Based Proteins and Cancer

Protein is vital to human health and it plays a critical role in the development of the human body. Dietary protein is a primary nitrogen source, in which amino acids serve as a building block for body tissue and modulate the physiological enzymes essential in regulating biological and chemical reactions. Animal protein has been regarded to be the predominant dietary protein source for decades. Despite animal proteins being good sources of protein, they have drawn a great deal of environmental issues for sustainability, for instance, the elevation of greenhouse gas emissions during meat production. Furthermore, long-term red meat intake can elevate the risk of development of chronic diseases such as cancer. In this chapter, we will highlight the relationship between high animal-based protein consumption and cancer, as well as the mechanism of action underlying animal-based protein consumption and cancer risk.