Jainism and Animal Issues 1997

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 37

Jainism and Animal Issues
Alcohol and Jainism
ALCOHOL IS NOT VEGETARIAN
Some years ago The Center for Science in the Public Interest compiled a list of well over a hundred additives permissible in various alcoholic beverages. These ingredients were not required to be declared on the label. Strictly from a vegetarian standpoint, some are obviously animal, some are suspect, and some can be made either from animal or other sources.
Alcohol, beer, ale, and wines are made with:
Fish glue, pepsin, peptone, lactic acid, lactose, glycerin, gelatin, egg white, albumin, isinglass lactic acid, and/or malo-lactic bacteria.
These additives include fish glue, pepsin (stomach extract), peptone (product of pepsin acting on albumin), lactic acid, lactose, them?
Not really. Nevertheless, there has been substantial recent publicity about studies indicating that alcoholic beverages may lower the heart-attack risk, through raising the HDL ("good cholesterol") in the bloodstream, and/or reducing the overall cholesterol level. This has led to theories that a daily drink or two might lead to better health and greater longevity. It was joyous news for some. But, what are the real facts?
Sometimes researchers see what they want to see; and then the studies themselves come under fire. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has noted that "It has been suggested that people who drink alcohol use more aspirin to treat alcohol-related headaches. Aspirin helps to prevent blood clotting and therefore reduces risk of heart attack. So it is difficult to know whether the reduced heart disease risk is due to the alcohol or the aspirin. The disadvantages of drinking far outweigh the advantages especially when you consider that many healthful and effective approaches to reducing heart disease are available. For women, even very moderate drinking is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Alcohol is also linked to cancer of the esophagus. Alcohol is also toxic to the liver and to brain cells. And for many people, it is a highly
glycerin, and gelatin for beer and/or ale. Wines fare no better, with gelatin, egg white or albumin from egg white, isinglass (sturgeon's bladder), lactic acid, and Malo-lactic bacteria.
ALCOHOL FOR BETTER HEALTH?
The other additives include such goodies(!) as enzymes to convert starch into sugar; clarifying, chill-proofing, foam stabilizing and anti-gushing agents; antioxidant; anti-microbial preservative; artificial colors; plus of course natural and artificial flavors. Who needs
Alcohol circulates via the bloodstream to every cell of the body, not just one, or a few, organs. Thus, while the liver comes in for the lion's share of attention, it is by no means the only part of the body harmed by alcohol. While it is being drunk, it is in contact with the mouth and throat. Alcohol is held responsible for 75% of the esophageal cancers in the U.S.A. Additionally, about 75% of oral cancer is attributed to either smoking or drinking. Even without
addictive substance. The best approach to reducing heart disease risk is to avoid foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol, to exercise, and to manage stress."
Hard-core alcoholic patients have baby clean arteries. However, they die from cirrhosis of the liver, hemorrhagic strokes, malnutrition, cancer of esophagus, accidents and suicides. Women get breast cancer.
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John McDougall, M.D., says that "Serious alcoholics have lower blood cholesterol levels because alcohol makes up a good part of their diet. Alcohol is low-fat and contains no cholesterol. My hard-core alcoholic patients had the cleanest arteries often baby clean entirely free of atherosclerosis. However, they died from cirrhosis of the liver, hemorrhagic strokes, malnutrition, accidents and suicides; and they were often heavy smokers and as a result suffered higher rates of lung cancer and emphysema. Smoking
also curbs the appetite and may result in lower cholesterol levels, by eating less cholesterol-laden foods."
ALCOHOL AND DISEASES
In the view of Dean Ornish, M.D., "Since cholesterol is made in the liver, disease of the liver will decrease cholesterol production (eg, cancer of the liver or hepatic cirrhosis). Alcohol dependence, besides causing liver disease, often leads to chronic malnutrition and low cholesterol levels."
swallowing, there may be significant risk: in one study, longtime users of mouthwashes with high alcohol contents (25% or more), showed a risk of oral cancer 90% higher in women and 60% higher in men. The link is said to be not yet conclusive, but "cause for concern."