Red meat may be a contributing factor to the formation of colon polyps, largely due to its saturated fat content. However red meat consumption will not cause colon polyps by itself. Colon polyps develop as result of an array of risk factors, according to MayoClinic.com, including saturated fat intake, fiber intake, family history, age and lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity and exercise, or lack thereof. People with inflammatory intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis will also be at risk for developing colon polyps, whether or not they consume red meat.
Saturated Fats
Red meat contains saturated fat, and saturated fat has shown some association with the development of colon polyps. According to Dr. Tanios Bekaii-Saab, assistant professor of hematology and oncology at Ohio State University, colon polyps appear to form more readily in individuals who follow a diet high in saturated fats and low in fruits and vegetables.
Risk Factors
In addition to the saturated fat found in red meat, one of the most significant risk factors for colon polyps is family history. If you have a parent or a sibling who has developed colon polyps, you are much more likely to develop them also, and this risk increases with the number of family members you have with colon polyps. Additional risk factors for colon polyps include inflammatory bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and ethnic background -- people of Jewish or black descent often stand a higher risk of developing colon polyps, according to MayoClinic.com.
Fiber Intake
Red meat may be a risk factor for colon polyps if consumed in the absence of fiber, according to MayoClinic.com. Fiber works to evacuate the bowel regularly, which keeps your intestines free of toxins and carcinogens. Sources of dietary fiber include sweet potatoes, Swiss chard and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale and bok choy. Other sources include oatmeal, bran, prunes and apples with the skins intact.
Lifestyle Factors
Certain lifestyle factors may contribute to the development of colon polyps in the same way that the saturated fat content of red meat might. For example, research has revealed a strong correlation between smoking and the development of a more aggressive form of precancerous colon polyp known as a flat adenoma. According to Dr. Joseph C. Anderson of the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut, smokers present an earlier onset of flat adenomas, and the stage that these colon polyps appear in smokers is much more advanced than that of nonsmokers.
