What's in red meat

Molecules in it 11

• CreatineC4H9N3O2

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  A molecule your muscles keep on hand to recharge energy fast during short, hard effort.

  As a pure substance, its GHS hazard label: signal word Warning; Irritant from source

• CarnosineC9H14N4O3

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  A small peptide concentrated in muscle and brain, made from beta-alanine and histidine. Meat is the only real dietary source.

• TaurineC2H7NO3S

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  An amino sulfonic acid abundant in the heart and retina, and the ingredient energy drinks put on the front of the can.

  As a pure substance: LD50 7,000 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source

• CholesterolC27H46O

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  The waxy sterol every animal cell membrane is stiffened with, and the starting material your body builds vitamin D and the sex hormones from.

• Vitamin B12C63H88CoN14O14P

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  Cobalamin, the only vitamin built around a cobalt atom. It comes almost entirely from animal foods, which is why it is the vitamin vegans watch.

• IronFe

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  The metal civilisation is named after, the core of the planet, and the atom at the centre of haemoglobin that carries oxygen in your blood. Element 26.

  As a pure substance, its GHS hazard label: signal word Danger; Flammable, Irritant from source

• ZincZn

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  The metal that galvanises steel against rust, and a trace nutrient the body needs for hundreds of enzymes and for wound healing. Element 30.

  As a pure substance: LD50 630 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source

• Coenzyme Q10C59H90O4

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  Ubiquinone, the carrier that ferries electrons along the inner membrane of your mitochondria. Sold as a supplement under the CoQ10 name.

• Palmitic acidC16H32O2

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  The most common saturated fat in the human body and in the food supply, and the main fat in palm oil, which is where the name comes from.

  As a pure substance: LD50 57 mg/kg (mouse, iv) from source

• Stearic acidC18H36O2

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  The saturated fat that makes beef tallow and cocoa butter solid, and the compound that gives a bar of soap and a candle their body.

  As a pure substance: LD50 21.5 mg/kg (rat, iv) from source

• Oleic acidC18H34O2

  On MoleculeFinder's curated red meat list from source

  The monounsaturated fat that makes up most of olive oil, and the reason olive oil stays liquid in the fridge where butter goes hard.

  As a pure substance: LD50 74,000 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source