«Such a relationship
between leukocyte telomere length and physical
activity level remained significant after adjustment for body mass index, smoking,
socioeconomic status and physical
activity at work,» the authors report.
In discussing the limited evidence for the «probable» link
between red meat and colorectal cancer, the WHO itself concedes that it is not possible to rule out other explanations (which it helpfully describes as «chance, bias or confounding»).2 Harcombe agrees, arguing that even when studies strive to adjust statistically for baseline differences in relevant factors such as
socioeconomic status, body mass index, physical
activity, smoking status and diabetes, it is impossible to grapple fully with all the factors that differentiate «the couch potato» from «the paleo buff» (her ideal), or to take into account the «chasm» that separates fresh and traditionally preserved meats from modern manufactured meat products.9