Benefits of Vegan Living

Vegan living is a lifestyle choice quickly gaining popularity in the United States. Vegan (pronounced VEE-gun) refers to people who choose to forego meat and dairy products. Instead, their diets consist solely of plant-based foods. Not only do vegans eliminate foods derived from animals, they also avoid clothing and products made from animal by-products.

Many people are attracted to vegan living because of the health benefits. Scientific research shows vegans and vegetarians have lower rates of cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and less incidence of diabetes. Vegan diets have proven beneficial to people with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Many people falsely believe vegan diets are boring and do not provide necessary nutrients. Nothing could be further from the truth. Vegans have multiple food choices which include fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Perhaps the biggest controversy over vegan diets verses the Standard American Diet (SAD) is the perceived lack of protein. Many Americans are obsessed with meat and consume it with every meal. The fact of the matter is sufficient protein can be obtained through various nuts, seeds, legumes, grains and soya products such as tofu and tempeh.

Fruits and vegetables provide a plethora of vitamins and minerals, along with the ever-important dietary fiber. People who consume high fiber diets can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and diverticulitis; a disease of the colon.

Vegan diets provide complex carbohydrates which break down in the body to provide sustained energy levels. Foods rich in complex carbs include oatmeal, bran, brown rice, pasta, corn, potatoes, peas, beans and lentils.

Another misconception about vegan diets is they do not provide sufficient calcium. Believe it or not, calcium can be derived from other sources besides cow's milk and cheese. Tofu can contain up to four times the amount of calcium available in cow's milk and is one of the richest sources of protein. Common foods which contain high levels of calcium include green leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts, black molasses, edible seaweeds and soya products.

Vegan diets are a popular choice for individuals who desire weight loss. Dr. Neal Barnard, M.D. of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) states, "There is evidence that a vegan diet causes an increased calorie burn after meals, meaning plant-based foods are being used more efficiently as fuel for the body, as opposed to being stored as fat."

The World Health Organization presented a gloomy report in 2003 stating, "Global cancer rates could increase by 50-percent to 15 million by 2020." Some scientists believe this increase in cancer rates stems from the toxic chemicals sprayed on food crops and the cocktail of antibiotics and growth hormones included in animal feed.

Vegan living is much more than dietary choices. Based on the philosophy of "gentle-living", vegans commit to leaving the world a better place than they found it. Vegans oppose animal cruelty; particularly factory farms where animals are oftentimes neglected and abused.

The Natural Resources Defense Council states livestock waste is the principal source of water pollution and poses a threat to human health and the natural environment. When manure decomposes it releases harmful chemicals including methane gas; a greenhouse gas which has been linked to climate change.

Drinking water is oftentimes contaminated with nitrates, bacteria and viruses from waste products. Nitrates have been linked to spontaneous abortions, blue-baby syndrome and some cancers.

Unfortunately, we live in a toxic world. While we cannot avoid every chemical and environmental pollutant, adopting a vegan lifestyle can significantly reduce our exposure to harmful toxins.