There is an increase in diseases such as Diabetes, Cancer, Heart Disease and Obesity. The correlation between this and our exposure to harmful toxins, and poor quality food cannot be ignored. For this reason, many people are beginning to embrace a plant food diet. On average, due to the advances in Science, we have the chance of a much longer lifespan than our ancestors. However, our diets tend to be much harsher on our physiological systems. We are also exposed to environmental toxins that were unheard of a century or so ago. If were going to live a life of longevity, we want to maintain our youthful vitality and enjoy our days whatever our decade. To remain supple, energized, looking fresh and feeling good, we want to embrace a less toxic lifestyle and nourish ourselves with a life-enhancing, youth-sustaining one.
What is a Plant Food Diet? Can I Not Eat Meat?
Plant food is earth grown and natural. If at first glance this sounds restrictive, use your imagination. There are literally hundreds of vegetables, herbs, fruits, beans, peas, lentils, whole-grains, nuts and seeds. They come in all the colors of the rainbow. From this food source, culinary delights can be wholesome, varied, radiant, and rich in all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. The ultimate plant food diet would consist solely of Mother Natures bountiful selection. However, if youre not quite ready to cut out all meat, fish and dairy from your diet, the higher your consumption of plant food, the lower your risk of a large range of disease. Therefore, even upping your intake of plant food, and reducing the amount of animal products you consume, will reap large rewards.
What is the Problem With Animal Produce?
In order to have maximum health and longevity, we want to reduce the amount of toxins in our bodies and support our systems by providing them with a plethora of vitamins and nutrients. If you are embarking on a plant-based diet ensure that the produce you buy is organic so as not to have been contaminated by pesticides or poisonous chemicals. This addition of toxic substances to food is one of the reasons why animal produce, and processed foods, can be unsupportive to our systems and why you may wish to avoid it. Unless meat produce is organic, the animals are liable to have been reared on foods that have been artificially manipulated. Animal produce can also be affected by the introduction of hormones to precipitate growth. Furthermore, if an animal is stressed, the hormone secretion associated with fear can be passed from the animals system into our own systems.
The consumption of red meat, in particular, has been associated with the increase in Cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends favoring a diet rich in plant food over heavy consumption of animal produce. Red meat can also cause bacteria in our gut and intestines. This can produce a compound which precipitates clogged arteries. Clogged arteries increase our chances of Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, and amputations due to clotting in the arteries that lead to our limbs.
What are the Benefits of Natural Food Sources?
Eating a plant-based diet is low in fat. This reduces the risk of high cholesterol, Heart Disease, Obesity, Diabetes and high blood pressure. The numbers of people in the Western World who have high blood pressure by the age of 60 is at approximately 50%. This statistic needs to be lowered! A varied diet of plant foods will supply your body with a vast concoction of anti-aging and anti-illness antioxidants. A plant diet contains on average 64 times more antioxidants than a diet containing high contents of animal produce. Eating a wide range of natural foods will keep your body detoxified by stimulating healthy intestines and adequate elimination of unsupportive substances. Reduced inflammation in the body equates to the lower risk of disease but also less susceptibility to allergies, better cognitive functioning and less smelly armpits!
Studies show that vegans tend to have healthier bones, blood protein levels and less nutritional deficiencies. It is astounding. Almost every sophisticated need our bodies have in order to maintain vitality and health, is provided for us by our natural environments. I say almost every need. If you choose to embrace a vegan diet you will need to supplement with Vitamin B12. This is usually supplied in some dairy products and fish.
Plant Food Diets Support Our Planet!
Not only is a plant based lifestyle beneficial for our physiological systems it is also good news for the ecological system. Supplying consumers with animal produce is the highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. It is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions. The amount released into the atmosphere in order to feed the average American beef, for example, is equivalent to a car being driven for 1,800 miles! These figures take into account the industrial processes involved in rearing livestock, producing foods, packaging and transportation. Astonishingly, it takes thousands of gallons of water just to make one hamburger! Animals also release large amounts of planet warming methane. Plant food diets are good for the environment!
