"Red meat can definitely fit into a balanced diet," she says. "It is rich in iron, vitamin B12, zinc, and high-quality protein that supports energy levels, metabolism, and muscle growth. Despite these health benefits, however, overconsumption is possible. "Where we see more concern is when intake is higher over time," Benson adds, "especially with processed red meat, and especially when fiber intake is low."
Last year, I found myself dragging through my days like I was moving through molasses. Four cups of coffee barely made a dent, and by 3 PM, I'd be fighting to keep my eyes open during meetings. I blamed it on everything - stress from deadlines, maybe not sleeping well enough, or just getting older. But when my doctor ran some routine blood work and mentioned my magnesium levels were surprisingly low, I had one of those lightbulb moments.