My Visit to a Dairy Farm

SR No.: 200013
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee
Total Pages: 4
Language: English
Classification: Article, Jaina_Education, & 0_Jaina_education
File Size: 65 KB

Page 5

In 1997, the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research concluded that dairy products should be considered a possible contributor to prostate cancer. Also in another research study of April 2000 pointing to a link between dairy and prostate cancer: Harvard's Physicians' Health Study followed 20,885 men for 11 years, finding that having two and one-half dairy servings each day boosted prostate cancer risk by 34 percent, compared to having less than one-half serving daily. Also dairy (milk, cheese, and ice cream), eggs, meat, and other animal products are linked to other types of cancers. They contain plenty of fat to harbor cancer-causing chemicals and promote cancer-causing hormones in our body. They are low in cancer-fighting antioxidants and have no fiber. Fiber is found only in plant base food and it would normally sweep carcinogens from our digestive tract. A cancer-prevention diet includes plenty of: * Vegetables: sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, spinach, asparagus Fruits: strawberries, kiwi, melon, bananas, apples * Whole grains: breads, cereal, oatmeal, pasta, rice Legumes: beans, peas, lentils Whole grains, beans and other legumes, vegetables, and fruits are cancer fighters. Plant foods are low in fat, high in fiber, and loaded with protective cancer-fighting nutrients. The most healthful diets eliminate meat, dairy products, eggs, and oil (fried foods). My Health Data: I was 55 years old when I became vegan. Thad some concern that my health would suffer if I stopped using dairy products. However following is the summary of my health data before and after I became vegan: Before becoming After becoming 2007 Vegan - 1995 Vegan - 1997 Cholesterol 205 160 140 HDL 34 42 48 Triglyceride 350 175 140 Since becoming a vegan I feel more energetic. I do not have any calcium deficiency. However, one should monitor his/her own body chemistry after becoming vegan. My doctor is very pleased with my results and has not put me on any vitamins or calcium substitutes. My 1998 and onward health result was equally good. Jain Religious view: Nonviolence is the highest principle of Jain religion. However for our survival the religion permits certain violence by lay people. Jain scriptures clearly indicate that: For our survival, the survival of our ascetics, and the survival of our scriptures, temples, libraries, and Upashrays; limited violence to one sensed (Ekendriya) souls such as vegetables, water, fire, earth, and air are allowed only by Jain lay people (shravaks and Shravikas). Under no circumstances violence to two to five sensed (Trasa) living beings such as animals, birds, insects, and humans are allowed even by the lay people. Ascetics should be totally nonviolent to all souls including the souls of vegetables, water, fire, air, and earth.