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VEGETARIANISM — THE HEALTH ASPECT Chandresh Malde
There are many aspects of vegetarianism which give it the mark of being the ‘healthiest form of nutrition’. These can be broken down into two major groups:
In talking of the physical aspect of vegetarianism an introduction to the science of nutrition must be understood. To maintain a healthy body certain essential chemicals are needed (not for food). These are the vitamins and mineral salts. Carbohydrates, fats and protein comprise the types of food consumed by man. Both meat and vegetables contain these three food constituents, but meat contains more (much) fat than vegetables. This leads to a build-up of fat in the body (in the form of cholesterol), especially around the heart and other vital organs. This leads to heart diseases, liver and kidney failures, and even cancer. There are six major groups of vitamins, A, B complex. C. D. K. Vitamin A — is important for night-vision, and health of cells in the body. Sources of vitamin A include: milk, butter, carrots, tomatoes, and other green paints, it can be said that fish-liver oil contains vitamins, as does egg-yolk — but what is the cheaper source? Vitamin B complex — is a group of 12 vitamins, which are required for proper body function — lack of these vitamins leads to death. These vitamins are found in cereals, nuts, and leguminous vegetables. They are also found in liver and egg-yolk — but it can clearly be seen that the vegetable sources again outnumber the meat sources. Vitamin C — lack of this vitamin gives the disease known as scurvy (bleeding gums, skin, muscles and even in the nervous system). The major source of vitamin C is citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, blackcurrant, etc — no meat contains usable vitamin C. Vitamin D — lack of this vitamin causes a disease known as rickets — weakening of joints and bones. Vitamin D can be obtained directly from sunlight shining on the skin, also milk and butter — so there is little need to obtain vitamin D from liver, fish oil or egg-yolk.
Vitamin K — needed for the clotting of blood. This vitamin is only found in
green vegetables. From the above, it can be seen that vegetables contain all the essential requirements for the healthy human being. Meat contains many of these requirements, but lacks many too. Also meat contributes to many diseases such as heart diseases, botulism, typhoid, parasitic worm diseases such as tape-worm, etc. All the above facts contribute to the theory that vegetables are more healthy to eat. Another scientific theory that enhances this, is if oFe considers that humans are not adapted to the flesh of animals. Carnivorous animals have claws, pointed canine teeth, skin without pores, and a short intestinal canal, whereas human beings have nails, chewing and grinding teeth, an intestinal canal 12 times as long as the carnivore, and his/her skin contains pores. These anatomical facts strongly suggest that humans by nature are vegetarians.
The
mental aspect of vegetarianism is not scientifically proved, but a more
logically proven argument is that the vegetarian is a more stable individual
than one who eats meat. It is, therefore, logical to assume that if the food you
eat was prepared in violence, your mind will not fail to absorb some of that
violence. Psychologically, the western society is brought up on violence, on
media, in the streets, from the food they eat. This is not to say that there is
no violence in the East. However, if an individual has the attitude that to hurt
the smallest creature is a great sin, what of his attitude towards his fellow
men? For this reason, it is logical to assume that vegetarianism can contribute
to the mental stability of a whole society.
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