Meat & Metabolic Health Takes Center Stage at AMSA 79th RMC in Amarillo

AMSA will host a timely and science-driven concurrent session, “Meat & Metabolic Health: Evidence-Based Insights on Nutrition and Disease Prevention,” during the 79th Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) in Amarillo/Canyon, Texas. Sponsored by Cargill, this session will bring together leading experts to explore the critical role of dietary protein and animal-source foods in human health and chronic disease prevention.

The session will feature three distinguished researchers presenting cutting-edge insights at the intersection of nutrition, metabolism, and disease:

Teresa A. Davis, Director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, will open the session with “Dietary Protein and Its Role in Metabolic Health.” Her presentation will highlight the essential role of high-quality protein, particularly from animal sources, in supporting growth, muscle maintenance, and healthy aging. Drawing on decades of research in protein metabolism, Dr. Davis will discuss how nutrient-dense protein foods align with the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and contribute to overall health and performance.

Eric Westman, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University and founder of the Duke Keto Medicine Clinic, will present “Role of Animal-Source Foods in the Treatment of Obesity and Chronic Disease.” A recognized leader in obesity medicine, Dr. Westman will examine how animal-sourced foods can serve as the foundation of therapeutic carbohydrate reduction approaches, including low-glycemic and ketogenic diets, offering practical strategies for improving metabolic health and managing chronic conditions.

Closing the session, David G. Harper, Associate Professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, will deliver “Evidence-Based Insights at the Intersection of Meat Consumption, Metabolic Health, and Cancer.” His talk will explore the complex relationship between meat consumption, metabolic state, and cancer biology, incorporating findings from clinical research such as the Keto-CARE trial. Dr. Harper will provide an evidence-based framework that challenges conventional assumptions and emphasizes the importance of metabolic health in disease risk and prevention.

The session will be moderated by Peter Ballerstedt, a forage agronomist and science communicator recognized for translating nutrition, agriculture, and metabolic health science for broad audiences.

Together, these presentations will offer attendees a comprehensive, evidence-based perspective on how meat and animal-source foods can contribute to metabolic health, disease prevention, and improved clinical outcomes.

For more information and to register for the AMSA 79th Reciprocal Meat Conference, visit https://meatscience.org/events-education/rmc/rmc-registration.