The meaning of_a_vegetarian_diet

The meaning ofThe meaning of
a vegetarian dieta vegetarian diet

Can a vegetarian dietCan a vegetarian diet
improve or restoreimprove or restore
health?health?
Can it prevent certainCan it prevent certain
diseases?diseases?

The most common assumptionThe most common assumption
Vegetarians suffer from proteinVegetarians suffer from protein
deficiencydeficiency

The greatestThe greatest, most, most sturdysturdy
and strongest of animalsand strongest of animals
are herbivoresare herbivores
They never suffer due toThey never suffer due to
lack of proteinslack of proteins

Here are some ofHere are some of
themthem ......

Excess proteins cannot beExcess proteins cannot be
stored in the bodystored in the body..
They must be excretedThey must be excreted through thethrough the
kidneys,kidneys, which is a very taxing process.which is a very taxing process.

Researchers at the MaxResearchers at the Max
Planck Institute (Germany)Planck Institute (Germany)
have shown that mosthave shown that most
vegetables, fruits, seeds,vegetables, fruits, seeds,
nuts and grains arenuts and grains are
excellent sources ofexcellent sources of
complete proteins.complete proteins.

Is our bodyIs our body
designed todesigned to
consumeconsume
meat?meat?
Let us compare our
bodies to those of
carnivores and
herbivores

The Comparative AnatomyThe Comparative Anatomy
well developedwell developed
reduced to allow
wide mouth gap
Facial
muscles
HumanHerbivoresCarnivores
good side-to-
side motion
good side-to-
side motion
minimal side-to-
side motion
Jaw motion

broad, flattened
and spade
shaped
broad, flattened
and spade
shaped
short and
pointed
Teeth:
incisors
short and
blunted
dull and short
(sometimes long
for defense), or
none
long, sharp and
curved to tear
flesh
Teeth:
canines

flattenedflattenedsharp
Teeth:
molars
extensive
chewing
extensive
chewing
none; swallows
food whole
Chewing

pH 4 to 5pH 4 to 5
pH 1 (to digest
tough animal
muscle, bone,
etc.)
Stomach
acidity
acidic saliva;
enzymes to
digest
carbohydrate
not present
alkaline saliva;
enzymes to
digest
carbohydrate
present
alkaline saliva;
enzymes to
digest
carbohydrate
present
Saliva

10 to 11 times
body length
(from mouth to
rectum)
10 to 11 times
body length
(from mouth to
rectum)
3 to 6 times
body length
(from mouth to
rectum)
Small
Intestine
long, complexlong, complex
simple, short
and smooth
Colon

perspires
through millions
of skin pores
perspires
through millions
of skin pores
no skin pores;
perspires
through tongue
to cool body
Perspiration
flattened nails
flattened nails or
blunt hooves
sharp clawsNails

FamousFamous
vegetariansvegetarians

Many famous people through history haveMany famous people through history have
proven that a vegetarian diet doesnproven that a vegetarian diet doesn’’tt
diminish mental power or intelligence:diminish mental power or intelligence:
1) Plato, 2) St. John Chrysostom (a Christian
mystic), 3) Clement of Alexandria (an early
Christian church father), 4) Ovid, 5) Socrates,
6) Pythagoras, 7) Leonardo Da Vinci, 8) Isaac
Newton, 9) William Shakespeare, 10) Thomas
Edison, 11) Albert Einstein, 12) Ralph Waldo
Emerson, 13) Leo Tolstoy, 14) Martin Luther,
15) Nikola Tesla, 16) Franz Kafka, 17)
Mahatma Gandhi, 18) George Bernard Shaw,
19) Anthony Robbins and many others.

Famous vegetarianFamous vegetarian
sports peoplesports people

Bill PearlBill Pearl
(Mr. Universe)(Mr. Universe)
AndreasAndreas CahlingCahling
(Mr. International)(Mr. International)

Al Beckles
((toptop bodybody builderbuilder from thefrom the 6060’’ss))
Jack LaLanne
((eliteelite fitnessfitness trtraiainerner))

Larry Bird
((popularpopular basketball playerbasketball player))
Carl Lewis
((distinguisheddistinguished
athleteathlete))

Edwin MosesEdwin Moses
(400m with(400m with
hurdleshurdles –– worldworld
rereccordord holderholder))
Martina NavratilovaMartina Navratilova
((worldworld tennis championtennis champion))

Killer KowalskiKiller Kowalski
(former world wrestling(former world wrestling
champion)champion)
Chris CampbellChris Campbell
(former world wrestling(former world wrestling
champion)champion)

Here are some facts that the owners of the meatHere are some facts that the owners of the meat
industry wantindustry want to hide from youto hide from you at any costat any cost

Health reasons forHealth reasons for
a vegetarian dieta vegetarian diet

Heart attackHeart attack
Vegetarians have 2.3 timesVegetarians have 2.3 times
less risk from heart related diseasesless risk from heart related diseases

Heart relatedHeart related
diseases accountdiseases account
for aboutfor about 50%50% ofof
deaths in thedeaths in the
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
and are theand are the No.1No.1
killerkiller in the USA.in the USA.
Vegetarians haveVegetarians have
14% less14% less bloodblood
cholesterol thancholesterol than
meatmeat--eaters.eaters.

Meat contains a much greater percentage of fats
(especially saturated fats) than vegetarian food. Plants
don’t contain cholesterol that clogs blood vessels.

TheThe ‘‘Journal of the American Medical AssociationJournal of the American Medical Association’’ inin
1961 reported:1961 reported:
““90%90%--97% of heart diseases could be prevented97% of heart diseases could be prevented
by a vegetarian diet.by a vegetarian diet.””

In general, out of every four people with too highIn general, out of every four people with too high
blood pressureblood pressure –– three of them are meatthree of them are meat--eaters.eaters.

Overuse of antibiotics and growth hormones inOveruse of antibiotics and growth hormones in
cattle and poultry farming is one of the maincattle and poultry farming is one of the main
factors responsible for the creation and outbreak offactors responsible for the creation and outbreak of
new pathogens that arenew pathogens that are
incurable by modern medicine.incurable by modern medicine.

Cancer
Killer No.2
Red meat and fish contain carcinogenic
substances that attack genetic material of DNA
molecules and develop cancer.

When cooked, fried or roasted, most meatsWhen cooked, fried or roasted, most meats
generate large amounts of benzenes andgenerate large amounts of benzenes and
other carcinogenic components.other carcinogenic components.

Pathogenic organismsPathogenic organisms
Meat contains innumerable bacteria and viruses that
are common in animals. Micro organisms are present in
plants too, but their number and level of danger is not
comparable to the ones in meat.

Toxins and pathogen elements in meatToxins and pathogen elements in meat –– veryvery
often cause many diseases such as diabetes,often cause many diseases such as diabetes,
multiplemultiple--sclerosis, osteoporosis, kidney andsclerosis, osteoporosis, kidney and
bile stones, arthritis, etc.bile stones, arthritis, etc.

In some people, this is the consequence of fats,In some people, this is the consequence of fats,
cholesterol and hormones in meat.cholesterol and hormones in meat.

IntestinalIntestinal ToxemiaToxemia..
Meat rots in theMeat rots in the
coloncolon and releasesand releases
toxins which destroytoxins which destroy
intestinal flora. Thisintestinal flora. This
flora is of crucialflora is of crucial
importance for soundimportance for sound
health.health.

Due to pesticides thatDue to pesticides that
are present in meat,are present in meat,
the highest levels ofthe highest levels of
contamination in thecontamination in the
breast milk ofbreast milk of
vegetarian women isvegetarian women is
35 times35 times lower thanlower than
the lowest level ofthe lowest level of
contamination in noncontamination in non--
vegetarian women.vegetarian women.

Meat containsMeat contains 14 times14 times more pesticidesmore pesticides
and other chemicals than vegetarian food.and other chemicals than vegetarian food.

• Fibre deficiency. Fibres absorb excessive fats, clean
the alimentary system and boost peristalsis (muscle
activities of alimentary system). Most plants are
replete with fibres, whereas meat doesn’t have them
at all.
• Meat lacks in carbohydrates, especially starch which
is of crucial importance for vibrant health.
• Vitamin deficiency. Except for b-complex, meat
hardly has any other vitamins.
Some other facts ...

If humans areIf humans are
meant to eatmeant to eat
meat,meat, why donwhy don’’tt
they hunt andthey hunt and
eat it raw just aseat it raw just as
carnivores do?carnivores do?
Carnivores donCarnivores don’’tt
have to cook, fry orhave to cook, fry or
roast meat in orderroast meat in order
to digest it.to digest it.

More than 20 million people dieMore than 20 million people die
of hunger every yearof hunger every year..
2/32/3 of them are children.of them are children.
Every 3.6 seconds somebodyEvery 3.6 seconds somebody
in the world dies of hunger.in the world dies of hunger.

““......meat consumption inmeat consumption in
industrially developedindustrially developed
countries is the key factor forcountries is the key factor for
world hungerworld hunger..””
UN General Secretary recently admittedUN General Secretary recently admitted::

Factually, there is enough food for
everybody in the world. But, the
tragedy is that most of the food and
land is devoted to the livestock and
meat industries for the ‘needs’ of
the people from industrially
developed countries, whereas
millions of children and adults in
the rest of the world suffer from
abject poverty and die of hunger
and malnourishment.

A tract of land that feeds one meatA tract of land that feeds one meat
eater, could feedeater, could feed 2020 vegetarians.vegetarians.
11 2020

Percentage of proteins lost in the process fromPercentage of proteins lost in the process from
animal feed (corn, barley, soy, etc.) to meat isanimal feed (corn, barley, soy, etc.) to meat is
90%90%

The amount of grains and soy required to feed livestock
animals in the USA for one year – would be sufficient to
feed 1.3 million hungry people.

When only one
person becomes a
vegetarian, it frees
enough farmland to
feed 19 other people.
If only 10% of American meat
eaters adopted a vegetarian
diet - that would release 12
million tons of grains for
human consumption –
enough to feed the 20 million
people who die of hunger
every year.

Percentage of agricultural farming
land in the USA used exclusively for
beef production – 56%

To produce 0.5kg of wheat, it requires 95 litres
of water. To produce the same amount of beef,
it requires 1400 litres of water.

Though the level of the world oceans and seasThough the level of the world oceans and seas
is gradually risingis gradually rising –– rivers and lakes are dryingrivers and lakes are drying
up, which causes a deficiency in theup, which causes a deficiency in the
drinking water supply.drinking water supply.

It is only a question of time when there will be large
scale wars for want of water in the world. In some
places, it is available only to those who can pay for it.

The previous picture was taken in India, 22km away
from a pig farm that has regular and sufficient
water supply. Their meat is exported to Japan.

If everybody in the world adopted aIf everybody in the world adopted a
vegetarian diet and if the food wasnvegetarian diet and if the food wasn’’tt
wastedwasted –– the current food productionthe current food production
could feed 10 billion peoplecould feed 10 billion people –– moremore
than the population projected for thethan the population projected for the
year 2050.year 2050.

Each hamburger made from cows reared on
pastures that were formerly rainforests in
Central and Latin America – requires about
5 square meters of forest.

Why are the forests of vital importance forWhy are the forests of vital importance for
our survival on this planet?our survival on this planet?
By the process of photosynthesis, the trees absorbBy the process of photosynthesis, the trees absorb
carbon dioxide and produce oxygen so important for allcarbon dioxide and produce oxygen so important for all
of us. Tropical forests are theof us. Tropical forests are the ‘‘lungslungs’’ of planet Earth.of planet Earth.

As forests have the ability of absorbing excessiveAs forests have the ability of absorbing excessive
CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the air, the rapidCO2 (carbon dioxide) from the air, the rapid
decrease in forestland leads to acceleration of thedecrease in forestland leads to acceleration of the
greenhouse effect, i.e. global warming. Some of thegreenhouse effect, i.e. global warming. Some of the
consequences of global warming are:consequences of global warming are:
60% of the Brazilian Amazon forests are being60% of the Brazilian Amazon forests are being
cleared every year exclusively to make pasturescleared every year exclusively to make pastures
for cows that end up in the restaurantfor cows that end up in the restaurant chainschains
owned by multinational companies.owned by multinational companies.

Rising levels of seas and oceansRising levels of seas and oceans
Spreading of desertsSpreading of deserts

Creation of hurricanesCreation of hurricanes
A sharp decrease in the amount of arable land,A sharp decrease in the amount of arable land,
especially in the wide belt around the Equator, whereespecially in the wide belt around the Equator, where
the amount of arid areas has doubled since the 70the amount of arid areas has doubled since the 70’’s.s.

Forests generate ozone and oxygenForests generate ozone and oxygen
necessary for life on Earth. Massivenecessary for life on Earth. Massive
clearance of the worldclearance of the world’’s forestland,s forestland,
alarminglyalarmingly decreases oxygen production.decreases oxygen production.

Destruction of forest villages
populated by indigenous people.

Destruction of the natural habitat of
many species of plants and animals.
The current rate of extinction due to
deforestation is more than 1000
species per a year.

Deforestation of tropical forests, largelyDeforestation of tropical forests, largely
contributes to an increase of carbon dioxidecontributes to an increase of carbon dioxide
(CO2) in the atmosphere.(CO2) in the atmosphere.
It takes 78 calories of fossil fuels to produce 1It takes 78 calories of fossil fuels to produce 1
calorie of beef protein; 35 calories to produce 1calorie of beef protein; 35 calories to produce 1
calorie of pork; 22 calories to produce 1 calorie ofcalorie of pork; 22 calories to produce 1 calorie of
chicken meatchicken meat –– and only 1 calorie of fossil fuels for 1and only 1 calorie of fossil fuels for 1
calorie of soy.calorie of soy. By eating vegetarian food, weBy eating vegetarian food, we
significantly contribute to the conservation ofsignificantly contribute to the conservation of
unrenewableunrenewable sources of energy.sources of energy.

All the cars, trucks, buses, all the trains,
ships and all the airplanes in the world,
combined together – do not contribute to
global warming as much as …

The livestock sector accounts for 9% of the CO2 derived
from human-related activities, but it produces a much
larger share of even more harmful greenhouse gases. It
generates 65% of human-related nitrous oxide, which
has 296 times the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of
CO2. Most of this comes from manure.
And it accounts for 37% of all human-induced methane
(23 times as warming as CO2), which is largely produced
by the digestive system of ruminants, and 64% of
ammonia, which contributes significantly to acid rain.

Let us not forget the
enormous amounts of
manure dumped into
rivers and lakes that
can reach even
underground water.
Such a contamination
causes the death of
large numbers of fish
and water plants.
When the
contamination reaches
underground water – it
causes epidemic
diseases and the death
of people and animals
that drink that water.

Approximately 50 billion animals are
killed every year for the sake of the meat
industry. In the USA alone, 660,000
animals are killed every hour.

Most battery hens are debeaked when they are just five days old.
Debeaking involves searing off the end of a chicken's beak with a
red-hot blade. This procedure is carried out to reduce the effects of
cannibalism, caused by overcrowding and stressful living
conditions. They are tightly packed in a narrow cage, so they
cannot even spread their wings.
The cage ‘floor’ is made of wire that severely harms and
deforms their legs. The scientists simply could not inventThe scientists simply could not invent
better incubators for viruses such as salmonella, Ebetter incubators for viruses such as salmonella, E--coli,coli,
bird fever and MRSA bacteria.bird fever and MRSA bacteria.

Such poultry farms are veritable epicentres of epidemic
diseases, for the birds that live in such unnatural conditions –
are not resistant to bacteria and viruses that attack them.
Those diseases are consequently transferred to humans by
consumption of infected meat. For example, scientists in
Russia found out that the cruel life conditions at a poultry
farm in Kurgan, were responsible for the outbreak of bird
fever. 45,000 chickens had to be killed.

Not only chickens are
exposed to epidemic
diseases.

“If slaughterhouses
had glass walls, many
people would become
vegetarians.”
((PaulPaul MMcCacCartneyrtney))

As male chicks do
not have commercial
value, they are
‘packed’ in plastic
bags and thrown in
the garbage.
Or they are milledOr they are milled
alivealive in a machine andin a machine and
used as soil fertiliser.used as soil fertiliser.

“While we ourselves
are the living graves
of murdered beasts,
how can we expect
any ideal conditions
on this earth?”
GeorgeGeorge BernardBernard ShawShaw

Young calves are separated from their mothers,
taken to the veal factory and chained in a
cramped space where they are not able to turn
around their whole life. Also, they are given
antibiotics and growth hormones.

Almost nothing is thrown away. This will
be made into pastes (bread spreads),
animal feed or added to cosmetics.

While being transported
large distances, many
animals are not given food
nor water for a few days.
They are also exposed to
the severe wind that blows
through the bars.

"Truly man is the
king of beasts, for
his brutality
exceeds theirs. We
live by the death of
others: We are
burial places!"
((LeonardoLeonardo DaDa VinciVinci))

So, if meat isSo, if meat is
that badthat bad ––
what to eatwhat to eat
then?then?

Cereals, fruits, vegetables, pulses, nuts, seeds,
honey, dairy products and vegetable oils – are the
only appropriate food for people who want to be
healthy and live in cooperation with nature.

“We are suffering or enjoying the results
of our activities from time immemorial, but
we can change the results of our karma, or
our activity, and this change depends on the
perfection of our knowledge.”
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The word ‘karma’ represents the universal (and
infallible) law of action and reaction. Good deeds are
rewarded by various conveniences in life, whereas sinful
deeds are punished proportionately to the degree of the
sinful action.

Our present condition is a
result of our karmic (pious and
sinful) activities from the past.
The future we create now.

In theIn the BhagavadBhagavad--gitagita, the oldest, the oldest
holy scripture in the world, theholy scripture in the world, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead,Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Lord Krishna asserts that theLord Krishna asserts that the
unnecessary killing of other livingunnecessary killing of other living
beings is one of the most sinfulbeings is one of the most sinful
activities which generates severeactivities which generates severe
karmic reactions both on individualkarmic reactions both on individual
and collective levels alike.and collective levels alike.
Those reactions areThose reactions are
sometimes manifestedsometimes manifested ……

We are all responsible for theWe are all responsible for the
future of the world we passfuture of the world we pass
on to our descendants.on to our descendants.

In the last 40 years
human activity has
destroyed 1/3 of the
planet’s natural wealth
and may now be creating
climatic chaos. And yet,
politicians consider
economic growth more
important than keeping
the world fit for human
habitation.

It is high time we madeIt is high time we made
our contribution!our contribution!
STOPSTOP being fooled by thebeing fooled by the
propaganda of thepropaganda of the
unscrupulous owners ofunscrupulous owners of
the meat industrythe meat industry ……
… and begin to live according
to our original nature, for the
ultimate pleasure of our own
selves, our offspring, the
whole humanity and this
troubled planet.

German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer said:German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer said:
““All truths go through three phases. Firstly, theyAll truths go through three phases. Firstly, they
are ridiculed, thereafter aggressively attacked andare ridiculed, thereafter aggressively attacked and
finally accepted as obvious.finally accepted as obvious.””

The statement that the Earth is round, went through
these three phases and now, the fact the vegetarian
diet is the only suitable diet for human beings, is
going through the same three phases.

If you are concerned about ecological pollution,If you are concerned about ecological pollution,
diseases and world hungerdiseases and world hunger –– then think about how yourthen think about how your
bad habits (meat eating) directly support greedybad habits (meat eating) directly support greedy
profiteers and the meat industry who are ruthlesslyprofiteers and the meat industry who are ruthlessly
turning this planet into a huge rubbish dump.turning this planet into a huge rubbish dump.

• Say they like animals, but eat them.
• Want a healthier and longer life.
• Are concerned about wars, terrorism and violence in
the world.
• Feel sympathy for all the children dying of hunger.
• Feel sympathy for the people who live in abject
poverty.
• Are concerned about the deforestation of tropical
forests.
• Are concerned about the imminent collapse of bio-
ecological systems of this planet.
• Wish to leave a brighter future for their descendants.
• Are concerned about the extinction of large number of
animal and plant species.
If you consider this presentation useful andIf you consider this presentation useful and
informative, please share it with your relativesinformative, please share it with your relatives
and friends who:and friends who:

““The best way to cThe best way to change the worldhange the world ––
is to changeis to change ourselves.ourselves.””

Please visit our website www.krishna.com and read some of our
books that convey the ancient wisdom that has been preserved by
generations of saints through thousands of years. This slide
presentation has been made according to the philosophy of the
Bhagavad-gita and teachings of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada, a genuine spiritual master who made the spiritual
tradition of the ancient Vedic literatures – available to the whole of
humanity.
Author of the presentation: Vladimir PaviVladimir Pavićć
(Vrsabha das)(Vrsabha das)
ISKCON “International Society for Krishna Consiousness”
((FounderFounder A.CA.C.. BhaktivedantaBhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)Swami Prabhupada)

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