International Jain Conference 1985 3rd Conference

Author(s): Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Ahimsa International

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been seen that specific neuro transmitters are released in the brain following the intake of food substances. Some of these neuro transmitters produce excitement in the brain neurons while others produce a sedative effect. Animal meat produces an aggressive behaviour.
During the last few years a large number of immunological disorders have. been recognised. Many of these diseases develope as a result of hypersensitivity to animal proteins. These diseases may assume very serious dimensions and may be fatal. However, plant protein is safer from immunological point of view, Hypersensitivity reactions to plant protein are relatively unknown. Hypersensitivity reaction to pollen grain should not be interpreted equivalent to dietary plant protein.
Many people consider egg as vegetarian article which is not correct. Eggs fertilised as well as unfertilised have high cholesterol contents. These enhance the development of atheroscherosis which can increase the incidence of coronary artery diseases, stroke, renal failure. The use of eggs has therefore also to be avoided.
There is nothing nutritionally wrong with the variety of vegetarian diet which we have in India or throughout the world. The nuts and soyabean contain high contents of nutritive elements. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C. A perfectly constituted diet is one in which the principal ingredients are milk, milk products, any whole cereal grain or mixture of cereal grains, green leafy vegetables, nut and fruits. These are the protective food items and do not cause even the remote adverse effects. These protect the body against infection and diseases of various kinds. Their use in scientific quantity ensures physical efficiency. Alongwith protein, the vegetarian food is cheap. The pattern of vegetarian diet has been in vogue in India from times immemorial and the people have maintained sound and robust health with full mental faculty and longevity.
Nature has divided the entire animal kingdom and human beings generally into three categories-carnivora, herbivora and frugivora. The carnivora sustain the mselves on flesh food. The elephant, bison, camel, horse, buffalow, cow etc, are herbivora animals which live upon grass or herbivorus vegetation, leaves of trees etc. The strength and power of some of these animals is no less superior than the carnivora animals like lion, tiger and panther. Frugivora animals are those which sustain themselves on fruits or seeds. The world's strongest, most enduring and long living animals are all vegetarians. What to say of the animals, even the vegetarian men are as strong as meat eaters and in many cases enjoy greater endurance and stamina than those who consume non-vegetarian diet. Vegetarians live longer and comparatively more disease-free life.
By the very process of evolution man was not equipped physically to be carnivora being. The jaw construction of man is much different than that of the
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