| Vegetarianism may be defined as the belief and | | | | Vegetarianism promotes good health and overall |
| the practice of eating vegetable foods (fruits, | | | | well being. This fact has been established beyond |
| nuts, legumes, vegetables and whole grains) and | | | | doubt today. Vegetarian food has many |
| refraining from any food made with animal | | | | preventive benefits. Tofu (soy bean curd) is a |
| products. Vegetarianism focuses on a diet that | | | | very healthy vegetarian food. It prevents |
| focuses on dry beans and lentils as rich sources | | | | cancerous growth, lowers the risks of heart |
| of protein. | | | | disease, and lowers the risks of bone loss and |
| Vegetarianism is increasingly becoming a way of | | | | blood clots. |
| life for more and more people everyday. The | | | | Cancer Protection |
| advantages of are today being established by | | | | A major study conducted in 1997 by the World |
| researches in this area and properly planned | | | | Cancer Research Fund suggested that the risk of |
| vegetarian diets have now come to be recognized | | | | cancer is significantly lowered by vegetarianism. In |
| by most people as being a wholesome nutritious | | | | fact the risk of most types of cancers is 20-50% |
| diet. Vegetarianism has many health benefits and | | | | lowered by vegetarianism. |
| not only prevents but may be a part of the cure | | | | Plant foods which have been found to lower |
| for many life-threatening diseases. | | | | cancer risks include cruciferous vegetables such as |
| Disadvantages of Vegetarianism | | | | broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, |
| There are some disadvantages of vegetarianism. | | | | umbelliferous herbs and vegetables such as |
| A study conducted on a 33 vegan patient brings | | | | carrots, celery, dill, parsley cilantro, caraway, and |
| to light the disadvantages of vegetarianism. The | | | | other vegetables and fruits such as citrus fruits, |
| patient had been a vegan since he was 20. He | | | | tomatoes, cantaloupe, berries cucumber, grapes, |
| had no history of alcohol or drugs. However, due | | | | beans and soybeans, whole grains, flaxseed, nuts, |
| to some nutritional deficiencies the patient had | | | | and seasoning herbs such as garlic, onions, chives, |
| suffered from severe neuropathy of his eyes. He | | | | scallions, turmeric, rosemary, ginger, oregano, |
| had vitamin and mineral deficiencies which caused | | | | sage, thyme, and basil). |
| poor eyesight. Thus vegetarianism has its | | | | These foods all have anti-oxidant properties and |
| disadvantages but these may be avoided by | | | | strengthen the immune system. |
| being careful enough and including all essential | | | | Heart Disease |
| nutrients in ones diet. | | | | Vegetarianism significantly lowers the risk of |
| Advantages of Vegetarianism: | | | | ischemic heart disease. |
| The Advantages of Vegetarianism are many. | | | | Studies have shown that lifelong vegetarians have |
| Vegetarianism is healthy not only for its physical | | | | a 24% lesser incidence of coronary heart disease |
| benefits, but for its moral, humanitarian and | | | | in comparison to meat eaters. Vegetarianism |
| psychological benefits as well. But the physical | | | | lowers cholesterol and improves cardio-vascular |
| benefits of vegetarianism are huge too: general | | | | health. The presence of minerals, folic acid, dietary |
| well being and good health, prevention and cure | | | | fiber, flavonoids etc in vegetarian food promotes |
| from many diseases, weight loss and relief from | | | | general well being of the human body. |
| anxiety and stress are some of these. | | | | Many studies have now shown that legumes |
| Vegetarianism and Weight Loss: | | | | significantly lower the level of blood cholesterol, |
| Vegetarianism and weight loss are intimately | | | | help in improving blood sugar controls, and also |
| related. A vegetarian diet helps weight loss and | | | | lower the levels of triglyceride. Beans are a great |
| also ensures that the pounds do not come back. | | | | source of vegetable protein, soluble fiber, |
| Since vegan foods are generally low fat, calorie | | | | phytosterols, saponins, and polyunsaturated fat. |
| counting is not necessary and yet weight loss | | | | Thus a diet rich in legumes lowers the risk of |
| becomes possible with vegetarianism. | | | | heart diseases. Nuts also lower the risks of heart |
| With vegetarianism it is possible to eat more and | | | | disease. Though nuts are rich in fats, these are |
| yet weigh less. Vegetarianism and weight loss are | | | | healthy fats mostly. Nuts contain many vitamins |
| innately connected and many scientific studies | | | | and minerals which are very healthy for the heart. |
| have proved this fact again and again. | | | | Vegetarianism also helps control diabetes. |
| Vegetarianism and Health: | | | | |