Vegetarian Health - Part Two
It is clear, that vegetarians are the healthiest people, if they eat a proper diet. Infact the less animal you eat, the more healthy you will be. Take, a vegan, a person who eats no dairy and eggs, plus no meat, is the healthiest, if eating a well planned out food plan, which isn't hard at all. The Vegan Outreach group states; "Well planned vegan and lacto-vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life-cycle, including during pregnancy and lactation." Variety is the word you must remeber. You can become a very sick vegan or vegetarian if you do not pay attention to what you eat. This also goes for meat-eaters, but people seem to get more nervous when the 'V' word is mentioned and automatically think of a pastey-white, skinny, half comatose person.
Many studies have shown that the less you eat of animal products, the less likely you will end up with a disease. For instance, here is a quote from - PETA's 'Vegetarian Starter Kit'; "Studies have shown that vegetarians have stronger immune systems, and are far less likely to die of heart disease and 40 percent more likely to die of cancer, when compared to meat-eaters. Meat and dairy consumption is also linked to diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, clogged arteries, obesity, asthma and impotence. A 21 year-long study comaparing meat-eaters and vegetarians showed that the greater the meat consumption, the greater the death rate from all causes combined."
Eating a plant-based diet has proven to be helpful in keeping healthy. Most disease is preventable, and alot has to do with what we ingest. Doctor T. Colin Campbell, a nutritional researcher at Cornell University states; "The vast majority of all cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other forms of degenerative illness can be prevented simply by adopting a plant-based diet."
Prevention is the word to remember here. Whole Foods in one of their pamphlets about heart health; "The best way to prevent heart disease is to enjoy consistent excercise, manage your stress level and maintain a healthy diet. But just what is a heart-healthy diet? One answer may be found in the "Mediterranean diet", where olive oil, whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables play a starrin role."
Not only is it healthier to eat a plant-based diet, it is safer. The 'American Vegan Society' states in it's 'Veganism - Getting Started'; - "Pesticides herbicides and other agricultural chemicals are omni-present in the food supply.....plant foods contains some...but the fatty tissue of animals have absorbed and concentrated them roughly ten-fold." F.A.R.M. states in one of their pamphlets; "The pesticides, which accumulate in animal fatty tissue, can be removed to a large extent from fruits and vegetables before consumption."
The Veg News' March/April 2003 reports that; "Approximately 60 percent of the 35 largest U.S. meat plants have failed the federal food safety regulation test for preventing E. coli bacteria, according th the U.S. Agricultre Department." and 'Wilds Oats' in their pamphlet 'Vegetarian Transition' states; "If you thought pesticides were manily found on produce, think again. According to the EPA, 90% to 95% of all pesticide residues are found at the top of the food chain: in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products."
There is alot more than just pesticides to worry about infesting the meat people eat. We have the most famous in recent years, the 'Mad Cow' disease, which apparently can not be killed. So irridating meat seems like a fruitless attempt to try and make people believe their food supply is safe. I will be discussing the dangers of meat consuming on this website in the future.
A few subjects they include in their 'Vegetarian Starter Kit';
Blood Pressure
"An impressive number of studies, dating back to the early 1920's, shows that vegetarians have lower blood pressure than non-vegetarians."
Controling Diabetes
"The latest studies on diabetes show that a diet high in complex carbohydrates (which are found only in plant foods) nd liw in far is the best dietary prescription for contolling diabetes."
Cancer Prevention
"Studies of vegetarians show that death rates from cancer are only about one-half to three-quarters of those of the general population."
Kidney Stones
"Vegetarians are less likely to for either kidney or gallstones."
Osteoporosis
"...vegetarians may be at a lower risk of osteoporosis because they eat little or no animal protein. A high intake of animal protein encourages loss of calcium from the bones."
Already, this is evidence that adopting a plant-based diet is the healthiest way to eat, and the most preventitve when it comes to diseases and other medical problems.
Adopting a plant-based diet is fairly easy, with all the information available today. Yet still, our schools train children to eat meat as a main course. I am sure it is due to ignorance. Alot of people believe you cannot get enough protein if you do not consume huge amounts of meat. When they could be getting healthier proteins from a plant-based diet. In fact the 'American Dietetic Association's Nutrition Education for the Public' practice group will publish, (Spring 2003) a food pyramid made up of fruits , vegetables, grains, beans, seeds and nuts but no meat. The 'Vegetarian Food Pyramid was created by Carol Johnston, a nutrition professor at Arizona State University.
The Vegan Outreach organization, also releases an informational booklet. Theirs is called the 'Vegan Starter Packet'. This is a statement about protein: "Plant sources of protein alone can provide adequate amounts of essential amino acids if a variety of plant foods are consumed and energy needs are met." Protein can be found in grains, legumes and other plant foods. We do not need meat to satisfy our bodies nutirtional needs.
A plant-based diet will also supply your body with all the vitamins it needs. For instance, vitamin c, can be found in citrus fruits, broccoli and tomatoes, to name just a few. Also, it is good for everyone, not just vegetarians, to take a multivitamin and in somecases supplements.
U.S. congress, in the 'Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994' states; "preventative health measures, including education, good nutrition, and appropriate use of safe nutritional supplements will limit the incidence of chronic diseases, and reduce long-term health care expenditures." and they states; "there is a link between the ingestion of certain nutrients or dietary supplements, and the prevention of chroncic disease such as cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis."
"Triglycerides are the form in which fat exists in meats, cheese, fish, nuts, vegetable oils, and the greasy layer on the surface of soup stocks or in a pan in which bacon has been fried. A recent Danish study found that men with the highest levels of triglycerides were more than twice as likely to have a heart attack when compared to those with the lowest triglyceride levels." (LDL cholesterol = "bad" cholesterol)
"Fast food, generally fried foods and hamburgers, are high in calories and saturated fats. These will make you gain weight and they increase your risk for heart disease, stroke and perhaps cancer. Some studies suggest that 90% of all human cancers are environmentally induced, 30-40% of these by diet. Preserved and cured meats (bacon, sausage, lunch meats, etc.) are the largest source of nitrites in our diet. Nitrites lead to the formation in our bodies of nitrosamines, which are important environmental oxidants and probable carcinogens. For instance, there is a suggestive association between nitrosamines and stomach cancer."
"A vegetarian, or at least a meatless diet is a healthy diet. Less meat in the diet is conducive to less heart disease and risk for heart attack and stroke. When weighing meat against vegetables and fish or skinless poultry, meat definitely loses out when it comes to your health. The American Heart Association recommends a diet that minimizes meat in the diet and emphasizes these alternatives. Vegetarian dishes, in addition to being an alterative to meat, also have antioxidants that protect the heart and brain."
"High protein diets, and the combination of a high fat and high protein diets, have been associated with an increased risk of many types of cancer."
In this day and age, many people are rushing around, not able to eat a well-balanced diet, on a daily basis. Finding supplements, vitamins, herbs and alike to add to your daily regimine is a good idea for everyone. Just be carefull, and do research on any products you take. Some are dangerously high in iron or certain vitamins. What could happen is, you would think you are taking a supplement to help keep you healthy, when you are actually harming yourself....worse than just eating badly. Some overdoses or certain vitamins can prove to be fatal.
I will list a few of the supplemental items I take in the future. I will also continue to add much more about vegetarianism to this website.
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