When someone adopts a vegan diet, the first question they receive from family and friends is, invariably, “How are you going to get enough protein”? The myth that vegans are unable to receive sufficient protein from a meatless diet is perpetuated by animal farming industrialists. In reality, protein derived from plant based foods is equally effective as protein from animal sources. Did you know that more than 40% of the calories in broccoli, spinach, and cauliflower come from protein and that more than 50% of the calories in all bean varieties come from protein? Every single whole food, whether it is a grain, legume, fruit, or vegetable, contains some protein. Vegans, like omnivores, receive enough protein as long as their daily calorie intake is sufficient.
If you need further proof that vegans are capable of consuming enough protein, consider research findings that protein derived from plants is significantly healthier than proteins taken from animal sources. According to the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine, people who get the majority of their protein from animal products have an increased risk of suffering from osteoporosis (http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/protein.html). The American Heart Association also urges consumers to consider the benefits of obtaining protein from plant based foods, saying that “You don’t need to eat animal products to have enough protein in your diet. Plant proteins alone can provide the essential and non-essential amino acids.” (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4777)
The truth is that omnivores and herbivores alike are more likely to eat too much protein rather than too little. Too much protein, regardless of its origination, increases a person’s likelihood of developing cancer, kidney disease, and calcium stones. A recent article from Live Lean Today Magazine sums up the protein myth by stating that “The average American actually eats more protein than they need. American men consume twice as much protein as the Government recommends; women, nearly 1.5 times as much.” (http://www.liveleantoday.com/article.cfm?id=359)
The next time someone says that you are unable to obtain enough protein as a vegan, you will be able to correct their misinformation and dispel the protein myth!
50% of doctors don't wash their hands between patients.
The World Health Organization raised the alert level for swine flu on June 11, 2009. It is estimated that a vaccine for swine flu will take a minimum of 4-6 months to produce. In the meantime, be sure to protect yourself by washing your hands frequently with antibacterial soap and warm water. Do you think that this health tip is too obvious? Think again! According to The Soap and Detergent Association’s 2008 survey, 15% of Americans don’t wash their hands after using the restroom, 46% of Americans wash their hands for an ineffective duration of less than 15 seconds, and 39% of Americans never wash their hands after sneezing. Even more worrisome is a recent survey’s finding that more than 50% of doctors do not wash their hands between patients (http://www.ethicsoup.com/2009/01/dont-kill-me-doctor-wash-your-hands.html). To combat the lack of hygiene going on around you and to decrease your chance of contracting swine flu, be diligent about washing your hands!
Animal gases account for 18% of the Earth’s greenhouse emissions.
“The Cow Fart Tax” proposal was first raised in 2007 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Clean Air Act of 1970 authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions that endanger public health. Animal gases, which account for 18% of the Earth’s greenhouse emissions, fall under this Supreme Court ruling. If enacted, the tax will require farms with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs to pay an annual fee of $175 for each dairy cow, $87.50 per head of beef cattle and $20 for each hog. “It would take away 80 percent of my net profit per cow. So, instead of making $216 per cow, it would bring me down to $40 a cow, and of course that would hurt everything else in my income stream,” says dairy farmer Joe Gonzalez. This means that the price of milk, cheese, and meat will spike significantly for consumers if the tax is levied.
Will “The Cow Fart Tax” pass? Due to angry outcries from the farming community and the already haphazard economic state, CNN reported on Sunday, June 14, 2009 that it is unlikely this tax will be passed this year. However, “The Cow Fart Tax” controversy has brought animal farming’s negative environmental impact to the forefront of the American public’s attention. Even consumers who can rationalize condoning the brutal mistreatment of animals by dairy and meat producers cannot ignore scientific evidence that these industries are harming our environment. This controversial tax proposal may not pass today, but it is certainly a strong indicator that purchasers of animal products may soon be financially penalized for their thoughtless consumerism.
Prostate cancer is a debilitating disease that afflicts millions of men worldwide.
Characterized by difficulty urinating, painful ejaculation, and chronic lower body stiffness, prostate cancer often times interferes with men’s daily routines and limits their ability to enjoy the activities in which they once delighted. In the United States, 192,280 men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and 27,360 men have died from this insidious illness since January 2009.
For patients with late stage prostate cancer, traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immuno-therapy, and vaccine therapy are generally necessary. However, for men with early stage prostate cancer, some doctors are now recommending a less invasive, alternative treatment: veganism.
A vegan diet and prostate cancer
 A vegan dish from Gobble Green |
According to a study led by renowned Dr. Dean Ornish at the University of California’s Department of Urology, men with early stage prostate cancer who adopt a vegan diet and participate in moderate exercise routines are often able to halt further spreading of their cancer and, in many cases, are able to cure their cancer entirely. Indeed, after participants in Dr. Dean Ornish’s trial had been on a vegan diet for just one year, the levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in their blood significantly decreased. Healthy men have low amounts of PSA in their blood, so this trend supports Dr. Dean Ornish’s theory that veganism is one likely key to curing prostate cancer.
Further, none of the participants in Dr. Dean Ornish’s clinical study underwent any traditional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy in addition to their diet change. This indicates that a vegan diet and moderate exercise alone may be powerful enough to cure early stage prostate cancer.
While traditional treatments are still highly advisable for men with advanced stage prostate cancer, changing to a vegan diet can certainly assist these patients’ healing process.
By combining a vegan diet and regular exercise with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, advanced stage prostate cancer patients are more likely to realize an expedited and effective recovery.
Preventing the onset of prostate cancer
Perhaps the most interesting point derived from Dr. Dean Ornish’s ground breaking study is that a vegan diet may prevent the onset of prostate cancer. After all, prevention is unquestionably the best cure for any illness.
Diets high in animal fat have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer development while, conversely, diets high in fruits and vegetables have been linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer development. In other words, by disciplining themselves to consistently follow a vegan diet, men who have not yet been diagnosed with prostate cancer may be able to avoid this all too common diagnosis altogether.
An extreme step?
Unfortunately, for many men at high risk of developing prostate cancer, veganism seems like an extreme step to take for better health. Raised on meat heavy menus, most men cannot comprehend a life devoid of steaks, hamburgers, and hot dogs even though deleting these animal products from their diet will decrease their chance of getting prostate cancer by 80%.
Fortunately, there are a number of very convincing faux meat products on the market that may make veganism plausible, and even desirable, for some of these men.
For people who dislike cooking and relish the convenience and taste of gourmet restaurant food, Gobble Green is a 100% vegan food delivery company that provides a delicious and healthy alternative to animal derived meals.
Prostate cancer is a serious disease that should be taken seriously and prevented. If you or someone you know has prostate cancer or is at high risk for developing this disease, veganism is a possible solution that should be explored.
