WASHINGTON (Reuters) --A non-human molecule found in red meat and milk
makes its way into the human system when eaten -- and seems to build up
especially in tumors, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.

The compound, called sialic acid, is found on the surfaces of animal
cells but is not found in people, and may be one reason why
animal-to-human organ and tissue transplants do not work well. Animals
have a version called Neu5Gc, while humans carry Neu5Ac.

But researchers at the University of California San Diego found it does
show up in the human body, and showed it can be absorbed from eating red
meat and milk.

They also showed that the body produces an immune response against the
molecule.

Dr. Ajit Varki and colleagues, reporting in the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences, say it is too soon to make any
recommendations based on their findings.


"Of course, there are already existing recommendations that people
should not consume too much food containing saturated fats, such as
dairy products and red meats," Varki said in a statement.

"The highest amount [of Neu5Gc] was found in lamb, pork, and beef
[so-called 'red meat']," the researchers wrote. Levels were very low or
undetectable in poultry and fish, vegetables and hen's eggs.

Varki, who is not a vegetarian, noted that many studies have linked a
diet rich in meat and milk with cancer, heart disease and other
diseases.

Autoimmune diseases
"The small amounts of Neu5Gc in normal tissues also raise the
possibility that anti-Neu5Gc antibodies are involved in autoimmunity,"
the researchers said.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body mistakenly attacks healthy
tissue and include type-1 or juvenile diabetes and some types of
arthritis. "In this regard, it is interesting that vegetarian diet has
been suggested to improve rheumatoid arthritis," they wrote.

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