Benefits and Advantages of Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism goes back a long way. History's first famous vegetarian was the Greek statesman, mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras (569-475 BC). He abolished the sacrificing of animals under his rule and was a fervent advocate of meat abstinence throughout his life. He is considered the founder of vegetarianism in Europe and even until the 19th century vegetarians were still called 'pythagoreans'. Pythagoras was a vegetarian on moral grounds primarily. He was deeply convinced that the killing of animals for personal consumption was an act of dire barbarism, leading to man's moral and spiritual decline.
"As long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love". Pythagoras
In India Ghandi echoed Pythagoras' beliefs in his passionate claim that "the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Recently this utterance became the inspiration behind a new political party for animal rights in The Netherlands, who at the recent elections in November 2006 earned a surprising two seats in Parliament.
People become vegetarians for different reasons. Some choose the vegetarian way of life based on health related motives, others become vegetarians out of silent protest against the suffering and mistreatment of animals in slaughterhouses, while still others shun meat for spiritual reasons. The Buddhist's vegetarian diet is a logical consequence of the Buddha's doctrine of *ahimsa* or non-violence towards all sentient beings. Eating meat is seen as being part of the killing process and thus leads one away from the path to enlightenment. Fruits and vegetables are believed to stimulate mental and physical purity, while meat is said to cloud the mind and hinder one's meditation. Spiritual philosopher Sri Chinmoy explains, "When we eat meat and fish, the aggressive, animal consciousness enters into us. Our nerves become agitated; they become restless and aggressive, and this can interfere with our meditation."
Adversaries of vegetarianism often claim that a vegetarian diet misses out on essential nutrients, especially protein. However, this claim has never been backed by scientific evidence and is merely a widespread myth, as all essential nutrients are readily available from vegetarian sources, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, nuts and seeds.
More recently a contrary view has won wider public appeal, which argues that not shunning but eating meat poses considerable health risks. This view has been scientifically proven, as meat eaters tend to consume unwholesome fat and an excess of protein, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. To quote dr. William Castelli, Director of the Framingham Heart Study, "Vegetarians have the best diet. They have the lowest rates of coronary disease... Some people scoff at vegetarians, but they have a fraction of our heart attack rate and they have only 40 percent of our cancer rate." Elaborate studies in England and Germany have also shown this 40 percent ratio.
Finally, the vegetarian diet could prove to be a solution to the world's food problem. Roughly half of the world's corn crops are fed to cattle while every day an average of 40,000 children die of starvation. The same food that is now given to animals for meat production could put an end to world hunger. The environment would also benefit from the change in diet. Cattle farming uses up far more land, crops and energy than does agriculture. Large parts of the South-American rainforests are cleared to grow crops for cattle-fodder. The earth further suffers from the emission of nitrogen caused by animal manure, causing acid rain and the pollution of our drinking water.
The world's greatest mathematician, himself a devout vegetarian, sums it up beautifully:
"Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet" Albert Einstein
*Sources: www.vegetariers.nl (website of the Dutch Vegetarian Association)
http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vegetarian_foods.html (website of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine)
Related Tags: vegetarianism
Abhinabha Tangerman is happily vegetarian for nearly 10 years of his life. He runs marathons and studies meditation with spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy. http://www.srichinmoycentre.org
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Diet For Men - The Right Tips For A Healthy Body
Men should also focus on their diet when they're thinking about developing their muscles. When they' - Buying Organic Produce On A Budget
Recently, there has been so much information out there on the importance of organic produce. As part - Genf20 Plus: A Key To Battling Old Age
Old age definitely has its setbacks, and mostly, major ones. From the skin, to the eyesight, to the - Herbalife Health Nutrition Products - Enhance You Endurance And Concentration
Founded by Mark Hughes, Herbalife is a company with a vision to improve the lives of you and I throu - Strong Immune System Keeps Ailments Away
A weak immune system can attract ailments and diseases. Basically, the weak immune system is develop - What Is Colon Detox Drink?
Indications for the requirement of colon detoxification- The secret to good health starts from withi - Eating Junk Food Is Unhealthy - How To Stop Eating Junk Food?
Junk food is a term, applied to some foods that is unhealthy and has low or poor nutritional value. - Are You Running A (nutritional) Deficit?
Nutritional deficiencies are a real and common problem in North America. It's a matter of convenienc - The 2 Ways That Agriculture Has Caused The Current Decline In World Health
Archaeological findings continue to show the trend that health has declined ever since we developed - Fruit And Vegetable Death Trap? The Nutrient Scandal Explained In 3 Steps
The problem with fruit and vegetables stem from a number of sources. The whole process by which the
Most viewed articles in this category:
- The Amazingly Simple Solution to Malnutrition
Moringa leaves could wipe out malnutrition in the world. Malnutrition is caused by an improper or in - Preschool Nutrition
The guidelines that are set by the USDA "MyPyramid" provide a detailed nutrition program for prescho - Calcium Carbide-the Illuminating Chemical Compound
Just like with other calcium compounds that contains the suffix -ide in their names, calcium carbide - 6 Benefits of Low Carbohydrate Diets
Low carbohydrate diets are one of the easiest and simplest ways to trim down and have a sexy healthy - Cheese and Migraine Dilemma
Cheese is one of many people favorite's food. Cheese can be eaten alone, or in the mixing with other - Supplements: Do We Really Need Them?
People who wish they can just take a "magical pill" and all their health problems will be solved see - Why Crohn's Disease And Nutrition Go Hand In Hand
The biggest problem caused by Crohn's disease the impaired function of the digestive system. Because - Steakhouse Manhattan Will Give you a Taste of Real Steak
Manhattan is the commercial and the financial centre of the world, and several leading companies and - 5 Warning Signs Your Diet Isn't Working
Let me ask you a simple question: do you feel you're getting the best results from your current food - Stay Loose With Exercise And High-Fiber Foods
Are you miserable due to constipation? Don't want to talk about it? No one can blame you. It cert